It was delight on Merseyside for Warnock and company with an impressive victory that has hopefully removed the tag of early season relegation contenders to one of ability.
It was result that underlined Palace’s credentials to stay in the Premier League for another year along with Warnock’s intent for attacking football yet sticking to the defensive principles that were left from his predecessor.
It was vital we got our first win. We now need to push on and show the league how dangerous we can be.
With all the talk in the previous edition of ‘Progress Report‘ of what line-up would suit our play and personnel, Warnock tinkered with his selection for trip to Everton:
Speroni – Kelly – Dann – Delaney – Ward – Puncheon – McArthur – Jedinak – Ledley – Bolasie – Campbell
If nerves were around in the Palace faithful at the start of the match, seeing the team with no Wilfried Zaha might have notched them up a little more, but ultimately the selection worked.
Bolasie was a constant threat and was rewarded with his first Premier League goal. Frazier Campbell also got his first for the club in what was a great afternoon, one we can savour.
Livewire Wingers
Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon will have every full back in the Premier League checking the fixture lists for their Palace date and preparing for the cold sweats – Chris Bascombe of the Daily Telegraph
Time will tell, but they were terrific at the weekend.
Here at TEB we have heaped praise upon both of these wingers as they offer something different, something new, something exciting. Puncheon is more controlled on the ball. He can see a pass and most importantly, has a knack of delivering goals when we need them. Last season he scored when it mattered. He will hopefully continue that trend this season.
On the other hand Bolasie is an ‘off the cuff’ player, I think at times he does not know what he is going to do next, but it works for him. Bolasie was our outlet on Sunday, every attacking play seemed to start with him or at some point the Congolese international was involved. His deflected effort that hit the bar in the first half was close to giving us the lead. His long wait for a Premier League goal went on but he did not have to wait too much longer.
His big moment came in the second half. It was at a point in the match where Everton were winding up for a big finale. Bolasie crushed that with one calm stroke of his boot. It was a wonderful finish. His first goal in 35 appearances, the relief is over, now go and get some more Yannick.
Often Bolasie and Zaha have received criticism for their lack of end product but over the last twelve months Bolasie has improved. His finish on Sunday was quite ‘Henry-esque’. How many times did we see the Frenchman open up his body in an Arsenal and France shirt calmly slot the ball home?
Wherever we finish this season, Bolasie and Puncheon will have a huge part to play and more results like this will be needed. The belief is back and in Warnock we trust.
Epitome of calmness
The perfect description of Scott ‘Zi’Dann. Ever since he walked through the doors of Crystal Palace he has been a calming influence on the rest of his teammates. Whatever it is on the pitch the defence looks cohesive, organised and he certainly has a lot to do with that. Call it a gift, call it experience, it is something that Palace benefit greatly from.
He was solid with his trusty companion Damien Delaney, what Delaney lacks in poise and passing ability Dann makes up for. It is a combination that is working, a combination Pulis liked, and now it is a combination that Warnock is adopting.
Looking Ahead
Now we have registered our first win, we can look ahead to our next set of fixtures with optimism. Next up is Leicester City at home which will be an entirely different game compared to the game at Everton.
It will not be just footballing ability we will be up against but also momentum, and not just a little, but bucket loads. That enthralling 5-3 victory over Manchester United on Sunday has reiterated that any team can beat any other team on any given day. It will be tough match up.
After that we face Hull City, Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland and Manchester United along with an international break in there somewhere. It is quite a tricky period but we can face it with more belief and excitement.
It is the anticipation and excitement of the Premier League every week. After all, it is arguably the best league in the world.
