Premier League Review – Southampton 1-0 Crystal Palace

Southampton 1-0 Crystal Palace

  • 3rd March 2015 – St Mary’s
  • Attendance – 28,351
  • Referee – Martin Atkinson
  • Goals – Mane (83)
  • Bookings – Delaney, McArthur
  • Star Eagle – Wilfried Zaha

This was perhaps a game too far on the road for Palace with a growing list of absentees.

Both Joe Ledley and James McArthur returned to the midfield while Dwight Gayle ran the lone furrow up front. Proof of missing personnel allowed youngsters Hiram Boateng and Jake Gray to make an appearance on the bench.

A lot can be said about how far we have come. We took on a Southampton side who are challenging for European football and not just the Europa League. A one goal loss once again proves that we are competing in this league and not being soundly beaten.

The nature of the goal that beat us was disappointing as it was avoidable. A lot has been said on social media about Julian Speroni but that is one party I have no interest in joining. Alan Pardew said after the game that the keeper held his hands up to the mistake but it was not his error alone.

He has a point as the build up play by the hosts could have been avoided starting with the moment the player out wide got past Dwight Gayle. This is not a witch hunt and mistakes happen. Referees are allowed to make mistakes it seems as do all players on a football pitch.

Striker and midfielders make mistakes which rarely result in a goal against. Was it a mistake by Wilfried Zaha for not scoring when he beat the keeper with his effort and hit the post? It will not be deemed as such.

The goal was hard to take at a time when the thoughts of a point would have been welcome and perhaps deserved. Speroni only parried the shot from Ward-Prowse into the path of Mane who was alone to chip the ball home. Nobody picked up the Southampton player and Martin Kelly had played him onside.

Mistakes happen and will continue to do so but what does not help Speroni’s cause is that this is not the first one in recent games. It may be time to give Hennessey a try in the Premier League but there is no guarantee that he is the answer or indeed, better than Speroni.

Palace are a hard side to break down and it is credit to the solid defensive unit that it took the Saints until the 83rd minute to score what proved to be the winner.

It was the third game this season against Southampton and for me, they only impressed in their win at Selhurst on Boxing Day. We were poor in that game but the two games at St Mary’s have been decent match ups.

We now face a break of ten days before we take on Queens Park Rangers which is welcomed in an effort to work on those players that have been missing. It will not help Fraizer Campbell who faces longer on the sidelines or Mile Jedinak who will not return from suspension until the middle of April the way the fixtures work out.

The fact that the chat about relegation candidates in the media only include Palace on the fringes and more so that we are looking up rather than behind says an awful lot about where we are going than where we have come from.


Player Ratings from Who Scored

Julian Speroni (5.8) – Once again, questions are raised about our Jules after his involvement in the goal that gave the hosts all three points

Joel Ward (6.7) – Not quite his usual un-flustered self but certainly not far off.

Scott Dann (7.0) – Mr Consistency doing what is expected of him with no frills.

Damien Delaney (6.9) – Captain in the absence of Jedi. Received a caution and lucky not to have been handed  another for a rash challenge.

Martin Kelly (6.6) – Performance was not on par with that at Upton Park at the weekend.

James McArthur (6.8) – Not his usual self but that did not stop him trying to do what he usually does. Replaced by Shola Ameobi (6.1) after 84 minutes in an attempt to get an equaliser with limited attacking options on the bench.

Joe Ledley (7.2) – Returned to the starting line up and impressed as ever in the midfield. Seems to revel in the role when Jedinak is absent.

Jason Puncheon (6.8) – Hard to match that performance against West Ham at the weekend but from a dead ball situation he makes us look very dangerous with his deliveries.

Wilfried Zaha (7.5) – Looked frustrated in the first half for not getting his fair share of decisions but shook that off in the second with an impressive showing. Unlucky not to score after hitting the post with the keeper beaten.

Yannick Bolasie (6.9) – Looked a little out of sorts at times but still a threat to the home side going forward. At the centre of a penalty appeal that was not given.

Dwight Gayle (6.9)  Proved once again that the lone striker role is not one that suits him but not for the want of trying.


Match Statistics from Who Scored

  • Team rating – Palace 6.76 – 7.13 Saints
  • Shots – Palace 9-23 Saints
  • Shots on target – Palace 3-3 Saints
  • Possession – Palace 41.7% – 58.3% Saints
  • Pass success – Palace 65% – 78% Saints
  • Aerials won – Palace 26-28 Saints
  • Dribbles – Palace 10-15 Saints
  • Tackles – Palace 25-26 Saints
  • Corners – Palace 2-10 Saints
  • Throw ins – Palace 32-37 Saints
  • Offsides – Palace 0-0 Saints
  • Fouls – Palace 10-11 Saints
  • Top rated – Mane (8.8)
  • Top shots – Wanyama, Pelle (4)
  • Top tackles – McArthur (6)
  • Top dribbles – Mane, Zaha (5)

Palace Fan TV

Make sure you subscribe to the YouTube channel HERE where you can also see our latest project in which we have teamed up with Palace Fan TV and Five Year Plan.


Fans View

What are your thoughts on the game? Leave your message below this article, on our Facebook page or Tweet us.

You May Also Like