Up’s & down’s, draws & a Wheelchair donation
Hi everyone yet again this month was a case of ups and downs as far as the football went.
First up was our home game against Spurs. To be honest I thought we had a very good first half and were unlucky not to be ahead at half time. Unfortunately they came out pretty strong in the second half and Kane put them in front very early. I don't know what happened but it seemed to me as if our players heads dropped and gave up. Spurs went on to score another 3 goals and finish us off.
Next up was our FA Cup game against Southampton and yet again we started off very strong with Edouard scoring after just 14 minutes. Then they were awarded a free kick, up stepped Ward-Prowse and the inevitable happened. He scored and it was 1 all. We tried our best and played some good football but were unable to put the ball in the net. Armstrong scored their second and put us out of the cup. But as they say "Never mind we can now concentrate on the League.”
Chelsea and Man Utd
So back to the League and an away trip to Stamford Bridge to meet up again with Connor Gallager and Chelsea. Well, what can I say? The cheating and time wasting that went on was diabolical and the Ref didn't seem to care about it. Especially after the Kai Havertz goal in the 64th minute gave Chelsea the lead. We played some great football again and I'm sure you would all agree we were very unlucky not to come away with at least a point if not maybe all 3.
Then it was back to Selhurst for the visit of Man Utd who were I believe on a run of 9 or 10 wins in a row. I don't think anyone of the papers or pundits gave us a chance, to be honest I was pretty much thinking the same. But credit where it's due the lads were very organised and up for the game. Some bad marking from a corner left Fernandes to score on 44 minutes and we went into half time 1-0 down.
It was a very exciting second half and I think we played the better football. We were so unlucky not to draw level with a great strike that was pushed away by David De Gea, a save that earned him The Premier League Save of the Month. We never gave up, which was great to see and with 91 minutes on the clock we were awarded a free kick about 30 yards from goal. Up stepped Michael Olise with a worldie to put us level, earn himself the Goal of the month and an unexpected point for us.
Newcastle at home
Next up was a visit from Newcastle, live on Sky under the lights. They were also on a very good run themselves and again no one really thought we would get anything from this game either.
Just before the game The DSA presented the club with a wheelchair for use by any supporter who might need it on a match day. I must Thank You all for your support at the recent social evening as some of the funds raised by the raffle were used to purchase the wheelchair.
This was also the game where the winner of the main raffle prize was given the chance to experience matchday hospitality from Socios in their corporate box. Winner Ed Chubb and his Father arrived at the ground early and got some great photos with some of the players as they arrived. They then enjoyed a great meal and refreshments before watching the game.
It wasn't the most exciting of games. The highlights being Pope's spectacular fingertip save from Mateta's close range effort (another Save of the Month contender) and the debut of Academy player David Ozoh coming on as sub and at 17 years old becoming the club’s youngest-ever Premier League player.
In the end it was a rather mediocre draw, but yet again it was another point that no one thought we would get and after a rocky start the month we ended on a bit of a high. Let's hope it continues into February.
Thanks again for your support and also to Socios for their hospitality and continuing support.
Dave May
Chairman, CPFC DSA
