Match Facts
- Date – 6th February 2016
- Venue – Liberty Stadium
- Attendance – 20,492
- Referee – Mike Dean
- Bookings – Fernandez, Delaney, Jedinak
- Goals – Sigurdsson, Dann
- Star Eagle – Damien Delaney (8.1)
Match Review
The injury crisis continues with James McArthur out for the rest of the season with ankle ligament damage and Jason Puncheon missing for a few weeks with a hamstring strain.
However, Alan Pardew was able to put out a decent starting line up and bench with the refreshing addition of academy graduates Hiram Boateng and Sullay KaiKai. Jordon Mutch started while Emmanuel Adebayor made his full debut for the Eagles.
The opening goal was as a result of a soft free kick awarded to the hosts and Icelandic international Gylfi Siggurdsson dispatched from twenty five yards in what was a disappointing opening to the game for the Eagles.
Taking the lead encouraged the Swans who had most of the play for the first half an hour but Palace got themselves back into the game with a few chances to end that half. The best from full debutant Adebayor who should have had his first goal while Scott Dann headed just wide.
While the first half started poorly for the Eagles, they made up for it at the beginning of the second half as Dann beat his marker at the far post to slot home past the keeper. Palace were in the ascendancy and a lot could be said of the half time change as Pardew brought on Marouane Chamakh for Chung-yong Lee.
In what was appalling weather in South Wales, the two sides took the game to each other looking for a winner but the hosts had the better of the chances.
It was almost deja-vu for Palace as a similar free kick was awarded to the hosts and Siggurdsson stepped up once again but Wayne Hennessey was a match for the effort with an excellent save.
One of the highlights was the introduction from the bench of Hiram Boateng for his Premier League bow in the place of a tired Yohan Cabaye. He almost made his appearance perfect with an effort on goal that slid just past the far post.
TEB Verdict
This hard fought point could well be the turning point we had all hoped ending a terrible period of form compounded by injuries. Scott Dann was once again goalscorer extraordinaire to seal the point. Fantastic to see academy graduate Hiram Boateng make his Premier League debut from the bench.
Player Ratings (courtesy of Who Scored)
- Wayne Hennessey (6.4) – Could do little with the free kick but made saves when needed throughout the game, one particularly excellent stop.
- Joel Ward (7.1) – Was stretched at times but got stuck into his task well, tough tackling and got forward when needed.
- Scott Dann (7.8) – Becoming as reliable scoring goals as he is dependable at the back.
- Damien Delaney (8.1) – Pulled out a star performance in this one with very little getting past him.
- Pape Souare (7.8) – Good game from the full back who spent the whole game working the flank at both ends of the pitch.
- Mile Jedinak (7.2) – Hard working display in the middle for the big Aussie but we really do struggle with his lack of passing ability. Provided a driving force similar to recent games.
- Yohan Cabaye (7.7) – A welcome return for the Frenchman who put in a real shift even though not right on top of his game. Replaced by Hiram Boateng (6.1) on 72 minutes who made his Premier League bow and did not look out of place. Had a good effort on goal deflected wide.
- Jordon Mutch (7.1) – Solid display in the midfield alongside Jedinak and Cabaye, provided some neat passing.
- Lee Chung-yong (6.2) – Only had a half and made little impression when you had hoped he would show more with Puncheon out. Replaced by Marouane Chamakh (6.4) on 45 minutes who provided a real link between the midfield and loan striker.
- Wilfried Zaha (7.8) -The rich vein of form continues for the young winger linking up well with Adebayor.
- Emmanuel Adebayor (6.3) – Full debut for the club and led the line well as the loan striker. A glimpse of what we can expect as he gains full fitness. Replaced by Frazier Campbell (6.2) on 86 minutes but no time to make any impression.
Unused substitutes – Alex McCarthy, Martin Kelly, Brede Hangeland, Sullay KaiKai
Match Statistics
The Who Scored man of the match was Gylfi Sigurdsson (8.2) just ahead of Damien Delaney (8.1). Most shots were from the feet of Andre Ayew and Gylfi Sigurdsson (5) while Ayew (5) also made the most tackles. The player with the most dribbles was Wilfried Zaha (6).
- Team rating: 6.80 – 7.00
- Total shots: 19 – 12
- Shots on target:
- Possession: 57.9% – 42.1%
- Pass success: 81% – 72%
- Dribbles: 6 – 10
- Aerials won: 20 -26
- Tackles: 23 – 22
- Corners: 9 – 5
- Dispossessed: 19 – 17
Premier League Table
| 10 | Watford | 25 | 0 | 33 |
| 11 | Stoke City | 25 | -7 | 33 |
| 12 | Crystal Palace | 25 | -4 | 32 |
| 13 | Chelsea | 24 | -2 | 29 |
| 14 | West Bromwich Albion | 25 | -9 | 29 |
