Premier London Derbies (PLDs) matches resume on Saturday 4 October 2025 with Arsenal v West Ham United. The last PLDs match saw The Hammers suffer a 1-2 home defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace – the form team in the Premier League (PL) being unbeaten after 3 wins and 3 draws. This was probably the last nail in the coffin for Head Coach Graham Potter whose association with PLDs Clubs has again come to an ignominious end. New Head Coach Nuno Espirito Santo had taken charge in time for the 1-1 draw away v Everton, with Captain Jarrod Bowen again providing the saving goal.
It was he who scored the only goal in last season’s 0-1 West Ham United win v Arsenal at The Emirates Stadium and they also won 0-2 in 2023-24 season. That stopped a run of 7 consecutive home wins for The Gunners going back to the 2016-17 season. With their Captain Martin Odegaard fit and playing well again this match will be a big challenge for Nuno. His calm “Mr Nice Guy” demeanour befits a former goalkeeper, but will the Hammers’ fans give him time to change their Club’s fortune and give them joy?
In Europe Nuno’s former Head Coach, one Jose Mourinho, was back in town with Benfica v Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the UEFA Champions League on 30 September. It was a 1-0 win to The Blues but there were smiles and handshakes all round. Arsenal won 2-0 at home v Olympiakos, and Tottenham Hotspur managed a late own goal 2-2 equalizer away to Bodo/Glimt in Norway, their UEFA Europa League semi-final opponents. The plaudits however go to Crystal Palace again who won their first ever major UEFA Competition match in the Conference League 0-2 away to Dynamo Kyiv playing in the Lublin Arena in Poland. Daniel Munoz scored their first ever UEFA European goal.
There are no PLDs matches until 18 and 20 October so until then enjoy your football.
Andrew at premierlondonderbies.com