West Ham United (0) 1 v 0 (0) Watford
68 Bowen
Yellows: Coufal Referee: Martin Atkinson
Played Tuesday 8 February 2022 at The London Stadium, attendance undisclosed.
A tight, hard-fought match was settled by a single goal from in form Hammers’ winger Jarrod Bowen mid-way through the second half. The win kept West Ham United flying high in 4th place in the Premier League (PL) but meant no happy return to Premier London derbies (PLDs) for Watford Manager Roy Hodgson. Although Hammers’ defender Kurt Zouma was booed on the pitch regarding his behaviour to his pet cat the incident is being treated as strictly off-the-pitch by the East London Club.
Elsewhere in London another derby match was going on in the EFL Championship where Fulham entertained and defeated Millwall 3-0 to cement their position as league leaders with 61 points from 29 games, 8 points clear of third placed Blackburn Rovers. Free scoring Serbian international Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice making it 30 goals for the season.
Also eyeing a possible return to the PL top-flight, more probably by the play-offs, are fellow West Londoners Queens Park Rangers currently 4th in the EFL Championship. West London is the venue for our next PLDs match when Brentford v Crystal Palace takes place on Saturday 12 February 2022 at the Community Stadium. We have no form for this fixture although the reverse was a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park on 21 August 2021 being the Bees second PL and PLDs match of this season. Will Brentford’s new signing Danish international Christian Eriksen make his debut and return to the PL? We all wish him the very best.
Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.