MATCH FACTS
- Date – 22nd October 2016
- Venue – King Power Stadium
- Attendance – 31,969
- Referee – Michael Oliver
- Bookings – None
- Goals – Musa (42), Okazaki (63), Fuchs (80)
- Star Eagle – Wilfried Zaha (8.7)
TEB VERDICT
With some better finishing, the Eagles could well have found themselves returning home with a point or three but some poor defending let them down at the home of the Champions. Both Scott Dann and Jason Puncheon were sorely missed.
PLAYER RATINGS (courtesy of Who Scored)
30 Steve Mandanda (5.3) – Early poor pass almost gifted a goal but could do nothing about any of the goals. Great one on one save late on to deny hosts a fourth.
2 Joel Ward (7.3) – Usual dependable display although a few poor crosses were easily dealt with.
5 James Tomkins (6.3) – Won his individual battle with Slimani but got in Benteke’s way when the Belgian headed a corner towards goal.
27 Damien Delaney (6.6) – Failed to close down Musa quickly enough for the Foxes’ opener but generally had a decent game.
34 Martin Kelly (6.5) – Slowed down too many attacks on the left by cutting inside on to his stronger right foot.
18 James McArthur (5.9) – Linked up very well with Cabaye and Benteke, displayed several exquisite touches to keep his side in possession.
7 Yohan Cabaye (8.6) – Almost back to his best in a slightly more free role and deservedly bagged himself Palace’s only goal.
42 Joe Ledley (6.7) – Slightly lackadaisical in possession but swept up a couple of dangerous attacks. Replaced by 14 Chung-yong Lee (6.3) after 72 minutes who had an effort which forced a good save.
11 Wilfried Zaha (8.7) – Palace’s best player on the day, causing problems every time he ran at the defence. Grabbed the assist for Cabaye’s goal.
10 Andros Townsend (6.6) – Tried very hard but nothing came off, which was summed up by a wild first half effort that he blazed high and wide. Replaced by 9 Frazier Campbell (6.0) after 72 minutes who was full of running, very little else.
17 Christian Benteke (7.7) – Smacked the bar with a header in the first half and had it gone in, the game could have swung in Palace’s favour. Also had an effort cleared off the line in what was a big improvement to last week.
Unused substitutes – 13 Wayne Hennessey, 4 Mathieu Flamini, 26 Bakary Sako, 21 Connor Wickham
FIVE YEAR PLAN TV
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID
“The scoreline was not a fair reflection. We had a great start, hit the bar and that could have changed the course of the game. But then they cranked it up for the last twenty minutes of the first half and we struggled to hold on to them. The second half we had loads of chances but failed to capitalise. We were OK but their pace and power were too much for us at the end. They are champions for a reason.” – ALAN PARDEW courtesy of BBC Sport.
“That was our best performance so far this season. It was the shape and model of last season and we concentrated on doing our job. We knew our weaknesses but also strengths. This was not a game for Jamie Vardy just like last game was not a game for Riyad Mahrez. I want to rotate my players and now everybody is ready to fight for their place on the pitch” – CLAUDIO RANIERI courtesy of BBC Sport.
MATCH STATISTICS
The Who Scored man of the match was Wilfried Zaha (8.7). The players with the most shots was Yohan Cabaye (8) while the most tackles were made by Christian Fuchs (4). The player with the most dribbles was Wilfried Zaha (8)
- Team rating: 7.07 – 6.75
- Total shots: 17 – 23
- Shots on target: 4 – 7
- Possession: 44.6% – 55.4%
- Pass success: 74 – 80
- Dribbles: 10 – 16
- Aerials won: 17 – 17
- Tackles: 18 – 17
- Corners: 8 – 8
- Dispossessed: 8 – 16
POSITION IN THE TABLE
The result sees Palace drop to eleventh in the table on eleven points, just a point behind Southampton, Watford and Bournemouth in eighth, ninth and tenth while level on points with Leicester City in twelfth.
READ OUR PREMIER LEAGUE REVIEW ARTICLE COURTESY OF LEE GILBERT
