MATCH FACTS
- Date – 14th December 2016
- Venue – Selhurst Park
- Attendance – 25,547
- Referee – Craig Pawson
- Bookings – Delaney, Kelly, Pogba, Rojo
- Goals – Pogba (45), McArthur (66), Ibrahimovic (88)
- Star Eagle – James McArthur (7.7)
TEB VERDICT
This game was all about the decisions from both the official in charge of the match and Palace boss Alan Pardew. A hard working performance was undone by some peculiar game management and what would have been a very good point was effectively thrown away.
You could point towards the handball and offside decision for the opening goal, the avoidance of harsher decisions being made on Rojo and Pogba as well as the disgraceful antics of the visiting players continually harassing the referee throughout, but it was the failure to secure a point which is the most disappointing. However, the pre-game light show was spectacular.
PLAYER RATINGS (courtesy of Who Scored)
13 Wayne Hennessey (7.0) – An excellent game for the Welsh international, making very good saves when called upon.
2 Joel Ward (6.2) – Perhaps should have looked a little more assured with the defensive line up but struggled particularly when trying to join the attack.
6 Scott Dann (6.9) – Good solid showing from the captain, leading by example.
27 Damien Delaney (6.9) – The big Irishman just loves a good block and stood up well against a strong attacking threat.
34 Martin Kelly (6.8) – Much criticised of late but the former Liverpool defender put in a terrific shift at left back.
18 James McArthur (7.7) – Shoved out on the left in an unaccustomed position but it did not effect his usual game and got himself on the score sheet once again with a well taken equaliser. Replaced by 9 Fraizer Campbell (5.9) on 87 minutes who had little time to make an impression in what was an odd change of formation, reverting to two up front with just minutes left to play.
7 Yohan Cabaye (7.1) – Looked more comfortable in a flat four across the midfield and had a good battle with fellow French international Pogba.
14 Chung-yong Lee (6.4) – Chosen ahead of Andros Townsend and while the South Korean is not a natural winger, he played his part with some neat touches. Replaced by 19 Zeki Fryers (5.8) on 80 minutes in an unaccustomed midfield role for the former United man.
11 Wilfried Zaha (7.1) – The formation did not help the winger play his usual game and instead played further forward. Still worked hard to try and create something but not his recent dazzling self.
10 Mathieu Flamini (6.1) – First start for the former Arsenal man who linked up well in the first half alongside Cabaye. Replaced by 16 Joe Ledley (6.4) on 46 minutes which was a like for like replacement. Almost made an immediate impact with a superb effort on goal but was lucky not to conceded a penalty as the game wore on.
17 Christian Benteke (6.4) – Struggled against the visiting defence particularly winning balls put up to him in the air but continued to battle and track back to help the midfield.
Unused substitutes – 1 Julian Speroni, 10 Andros Townsend, 43 Noor Husin, 46 Aaron Wan-Bissaka
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID
‘We knew we had this tricky spell of matches coming up. We’ve got a big game Saturday so we’ve got to take what we can out of this game in terms of our confidence levels. We could’ve done better on the break but I can’t fault them, they’ve given me everything and we need a little break here and there and we’ll be okay.’ – ALAN PARDEW courtesy of BBC Sport.
‘Two big wins, two victories mean six draws, if in five matches you win two and lose three that’s better than five draws. The reality is I forget my draws and focus on performances. The performances have been very good for a long time. The players deserve this happiness.’ – JOSE MOURINHO courtesy of Sky Sports.
MATCH STATISTICS
The Who Scored man of the match was Paul Pogba (9.80) who also had the most shots (4). Martin Kelly made the most tackles (7) and Wilfried Zaha had the most dribbles (6).
- Team rating: 6.61 – 7.08
- Total shots: 6 – 16
- Shots on target: 3 – 6
- Possession: 39% – 61%
- Pass success: 76% – 85%
- Dribbles: 10 – 7
- Aerials won: 18 – 26
- Tackles: 18 – 24
- Corners: 1 – 8
- Dispossessed: 13 – 12
POSITION IN THE TABLE
Palace are 16th in the table on 15 points after 16 games, level on points with Middlesbrough in 17th and a point behind West Ham United in 15th.
