Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Soucek 64 og., Kane 82) v West Ham United 0, played Tuesday 23 June 2020, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, attendance nil.
F.A. Premier League (FAPL) Premier London derbies (PLDs) are back with a real “six-pointer” played out in front of TV cameras and necessary officials and Club staff members but no fare-paying fans. Both Clubs needed the points, but after a goal-less first half V.A.R.,which had helped Spurs against Manchester United, having ruled out Heung-Min Son’s strike for offside, the deadlock was broken by an unfortunate own goal by the Czech defender Tomas Soucek. The ball appeared to bounce off his heel or shin from a Spurs corner and over the line. Harry Kane then made sure of the 3 points with a clear run through on goal and a confident finish past Fabianski in the Hammers’ goal. I am sure he, Jose Mourinho and all at Spurs will have been pleased to have seen that after a lack lustre performance from Kane in his first game back.
Last week we also mentioned the E.F.L. Championship clash between west London rivals and promotion or at least play-off place chasers Fulham and Brentford at Craven Cottage. Honours went to the visitors thanks to late goals by Said Benrahma (88 mins.) and Emiliano Marcondes (90+1 mins.), neither strangers to the score sheet.
Back in the F.A.P.L. Arsenal, having lost their game in hand away to Manchester City (3-0) and an ill tempered game at Brighton (2-1), won away at Southampton (0-2) on a very hot night of Thursday 25 June. They move up to 9th above Crystal Palace who having won well away to A F C Bournemouth (of crowded beaches fame) by 2 goals to nil, lost heavily at Anfield against the Liverpool, but who doesn’t? Liverpool are Champions again after 30 years thanks to Chelsea beating last year’s Champions Man City 2-1 on 25 June. That is 3 wins out of 3 for the Pensioners who are now firmly in 4th place and only one point behind Leicester City. Watford have picked up one point from a draw against them.
Chelsea’s next game is away to West Ham United in our next PLD on Wednesday 1 July.Earlier in this season the Hammers won at Stamford Bridge (0-1) and desperately need another win but have lost 3 PLDS at home this season. Scores in previous seasons have been even: 1-2 in 2016-17; 1-0 in 2017-18; and 0-0 in 2018-19. Although form favours Chelsea it is a PLD so who knows.
Until next time, “stay alert” and if you are an essential worker “thank you”, Andrew at PLDs.