There were no Premier London Derbies (PLDs) matches last week but one London Premier League (PL) Club hit the headlines. Congratulations to Crystal Palace on reaching the FA Cup Final! All thanks to sparkling goals by Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr (2) backed by a selfless team performance and wise management. Roy Hodgson, looking on, seemed very content with Oliver Glasner’s work. The Final v Manchester City and their dubiously gotten multi-millions will not be easy, but much of the football world will be with The Eagles on Saturday 17 May 2025 at Wembley Stadium.
Midweek 3 PLDs Clubs were involved in UEFA European competition Semi-final first leg matches. On Tuesday 29 April Arsenal lost at home 0-1 to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) leaving themselves if not Mont Blanc then at least Ben Nevis to climb. In the UEFA Europa League Tottenham Hotspur beat Norway’s Bodo/Glimt 3-1 but the tie is far from over. FC Bodo are a well organised, tireless running team with intense fan support in their 8,270 capacity stadium in a town of 42,000 people, and a 70% win rate at home in Europe. In the UEFA Europa Conference league Chelsea look well placed after their comfortable 1-4 away win over Djusgarden in Stockholm on another artificial pitch.
On Sunday 4 May it’s back to PL and PLDs business with West Ham United v Spurs competing for the dubious title of worst performing PL Club from London in 2024-25! The Lilywhites are one point and one place better than The Hammers but have not won at The London Stadium for 4 seasons. There is a lot more at stake than just 3 points as both Head Coaches well know. Will defeat mean a head will roll and whose first?
Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.