West Ham United 3 (Soucek 45+2, Antonio 51, Yarmolenko 89) v Chelsea 2 (Willian 42p, 72). Played Wednesday 1 July at the London Stadium, attendance nil.
What would the Hammers’ faithful have given to have been at the London Stadium to see the East Enders overcome a West London rival in this mid-week Premier London derby (PLDs)? Chelsea took the lead late in the first half with a penalty by the Brazilian Willian, only for West Ham United’s defender Tomas Soucek, who had already had one goal disallowed for offside, to head in the equalizer on half-time. Early in the second half an untidy goal by man-of-the-match Michail Antonio put the Hammers in front, only for Willian to score again from a dead-ball situation this time a free-kick. The winner was a well struck left foot shot by substitute Andriy Yarmolenko finishing off a quick counter-attack.
Chelsea’s previous match had been the 2-1 win over Manchester City, which made sure the Title went to Liverpool, although City put the Champions in their place with a 4-0 win on 2 July! City and the Blues have the unenviable record of leading the unofficial “fouls per minute out of possession” table, with City on top at 0.32 (in other words a foul every 3 minutes out of possession) and Chelsea at 0.28 (a foul about every 4th minute). Chelsea had demonstrated this in their first F.A.P.L. match back at Aston Vila where they fouled the home side’s skilled mid-fielder Jack Grealish 9 times. Only the last foul by N’Golo Kante was punished. Some 7 of the 11 players fouled 50 or more times this season are in teams in the lower half of the F.A.P.L.. Surely this so-called “tactical fouling” needs more heavy and frequent punishment with maybe the yellow card coming out after the 4th or 5th foul on these “marked men” providing there is no simulation? Perhaps a job for V.A.R.?
Chelsea’s next F.A.P.L. match will be at home against struggling Watford, with only 1 point from 3 matches since the restart, which will be our next PLDs match on Saturday 4 July as matches come thick and fast. The omens are not good for the Hornets with things all going Chelsea’s way in a generally free-scoring match: 4-3 season 2016-17; 4-2 2017-18; and 3-0 2018-19. It is difficult not to fancy Chelsea again whatever the odds!
Until next time enjoy your football viewing, but “Keep Alert”, Andrew at PLDs.