“Sanity overcomes obscenity in Premier League.”

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Arsenal (0) 1 v 1 (0) Fulham

    90 +7 Nketiah                                         59 Maja (pen.)

Yellows.                                                        Andersen, De Cordova-Reid, Areola

Played Sunday 18 April 2021 at an empty Emirates Stadium.

Sunday 18 April 2021 will go down as a momentous day in the history of English football, and the Premier League (PL). For Fulham minute 90+7 in their Premier London derby (PLDs) match away to Arsenal was bad enough. That as when Eddie Nketiah’s late-late equalizing goal was allowed despite the Gunners’ Rob Holding standing seemingly in an offside position closer to the Cottagers’ outstanding keeper Alphonse Areola than the tap-in scorer! The goal cancelled out the visitors’ opener which was a penalty by on loan Josh Majaupheld by VAR which had ruled out a “goal” by the home side. So much for Fulham’s misfortunes who have no wins in their last 23 PLDs matches, and 4 of 5 draws this season. 

If the Cottagers look doomed so did the whole of English football as we know it with the announcement later in the day of the proposed “European Super League” (ESL). Shame on the 3 PLDs Clubs Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur who were involved even though they are now trying to withdraw. To most of us it smacked of pure greed. Money really is the root of all evil in football. Of the 51 domestic titles and trophies (PL title, FA Cup, League Cup) won since 2003 44 have gone to Chelsea (13), Manchester United (11), Manchester City (11), Arsenal (6) and Liverpool (5) who are 5 of the would-be breakaway Clubs. Chelsea have won the Champions’ League once and Europa League twice, Manchester United both once, and Liverpool the Champions’ League twice. In 2003 Roman Abramovich bought the Blues. You may not regard their success as evil, but certainly money did something to distort competition in football and now threatened to eliminate it completely.

Chelsea will be involved in our next PLDs match when they visit West Ham United on Saturday 24 April 2021. History just favours the home side: 1-2 in 2016-17; 1-0 in 2017-18; 0-0 in 2018-19; and 3-2 in 2019-20. This season both teams have 55 points from 32 games played but Chelsea (4th) just edge West Ham United (5th) on goal difference (19 v 11). Sentiment will surely be with the Hammers who are having a great season and have kept their hands clean in these turbulent times. 

Until next time “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.