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27th Aug 2017

People left perplexed by choice of early televised Premier League game

The Tony Pulis derby was televised

JOE

The Tony Pulis derby.

When people think of “Super Sunday” in the Premier League, West Brom versus Stoke City isn’t exactly the first fixture that springs to mind. They are two good sides, who have enjoyed encouraging starts to the season, and it shouldn’t just be the so-called “big clubs” on TV each week.

But the Tony Pulis derby isn’t exactly one for the purists. When given a choice to watch West Brom take on Stoke, or Chelsea hosting Everton, most neutrals would opt for the latter.

In the same fixture last season, the Baggies beat Stoke 1-0 at the Hawthorns. When Chelsea played Everton at Stamford Bride last season, Antonio Conte’s side won 5-0 on their way to claiming the league title.

However, rather than Chelsea versus Everton, Sky Sports viewers were treated to Stoke against West Brom in Sunday’s early kick-off. Because of Everton’s involvement in the Europa League last Thursday, and the upcoming international break, the fixture had to be played on Sunday.

Games rescheduled due to a team’s involvement in the Europa League are rarely televised, which may explain why Sky opted not to televise Chelsea’s fixture.

Yet, an awful lot of people weren’t happy about it.

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