“Spurs shambolic, Fulham and Palace draw.”

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Fulham (1) 2 v 2 (1) Crystal Palace  

45+5 Mitrovic (pen)                                          34 Edouard, assist Eze

61 Mitrovic, assist Willian                                83 Ward

Yellows: Tosin, Robinson, Palhinha                  Nil                Referee: J Smith 

Played Saturday 20 May 2023 at Craven Cottage, attendance 24,386.

This was a well contested, end of season Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match finishing all square with Fulham 10th and Crystal Palace 11th at the final whistle. The Cottagers had the better of the first hour with Aleksandar Mitrovic, back after an 8 week ban, keeping his aggression controlled and in the right place, to score twice. The Eagles late equalizer came from an unlikely source being defender Joel Ward. Manager Roy Hodgson is always welcome at Craven Cottage where he had recorded Fulham’s highest Premier League (PL) points total of 53. Marco Silva is now on 52 points for the season so far. 

                                    Tottenham Hotspur (1) 1 v 3 (0) Brentford 

8 Kane, assist Kulusevski                                         50 Mbeumo, assist Wissa; 

                                                                                     62 Mbeumo, assist Hickey

                                                                                     88 Wissa, assist Mbeumo

Yellows: Bissouma                                                     Henry                      Referee: John Gillett

Played Saturday 20 May 2023 at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, attendance 61, 514.

Tottenham Hotspur’s nightmare season continued with another home defeat, this time by Brentford whose second-half rally blew their so-called defence away. Spurs’ goal was inevitably from Harry Kane – a sumptuous free-kick in this his 300th PL start. It gave him 10 goals in his 12 PLDs starts this season equalling Chelsea’s Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s record. Kane’s Spurs’ future is surely in the balance. This team do not deserve him. Brentford were quicker to the ball, used it better, and capitalized on errors forced or unforced. 

There are no PLDs matches in the final round of the PL on Sunday 28 May 2023. The final European football place, that is 7th with entry into the UEFA Europa Conference League, is still at stake. Mathematically both Spurs (57 points and away to Leeds United) and The Bees (56 points and home to Champions Manchester City) could get it. However, expect Aston Villa (58 points) at home to Brighton and Hove Albion who have crowned their season with 6th place which they cannot improve on and entry to the UEFA Europa League, to get it. Can the England Captain not be playing European football in the Euro ’24 season? We shall see.

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