“Two more Premier London Derbies (PLDs) draws.”

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Crystal Palace (0) 0 v 0 (0) Fulham

Played Saturday 23 September 2023 at Selhurst Park, attendance 25,072.

This low key, goal-less draw was not so much about who was there, but rather who was not. Eberechi Eze for Crystal Palace is very talented, but not yet Wilfried Zaha who is enjoying UEFA Champions’ League football with Turkish side Galatasaray. Fulham, who had the better chances to score, are hoping new signing Raul Jimenez will replace Aleksandar Mitrovic, earning millions in Saudi Arabia, but he has not scored yet.

                                                      Arsenal (1) 2 v 2 (1) Tottenham Hotspur

 26 Romero (o.g.)                                                  42 Son, assist Maddison

 54 Saka (pen.)                                                       55 Son, assist Maddison

Yellows: Havertz, Nketiah, Odegaard              Udogie, Sarr, Bissouma, Romero Ref. R Jones

Played Sunday 24 September 2023 at The Emirates Stadium, attendance 60,156.

If there were no bright sparks South of the Thames, there was plenty of fire in the latest North London derby. This was a relentless, toe-to-toe, duel in which the visitors Spurs had more possession than The Gunners. Yes they had to come from behind twice, but not through playing last season’s dour and desperate defensive football. New captain Son Heung-min and new number 10 James Maddison rose again to the occasion. For Arsenal the star man was Bukayo Saka assisted in both his goals by an inept Cristian Romero, who sliced his shot in for an own goal, and gave away the penalty for handball. The draw meant both Clubs have 14 points from 6 matches with Spurs 4th on goal difference from Arsenal’s 5th.

The next Premier London Derbies (PLDs) match is on Monday 2 October 2023 when it is Chelsea v Fulham. This has been The Blues worst start to a season in 45 years, ameliorated a little by the midweek EFL Cup win over still high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion – still that is after selling so many multi-million pounds players, several to Chelsea! Results favour the home side although last season was a 0-0 bore-draw, which the American owners cannot tolerate many of, but they should have bought a proper striker!

Until next time, enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.