The Eagles returned to winning ways with an excellent victory over the visitors in a manner that had all the same qualities that saw them go on an unbeaten run before the slump.
DATE
12th December 2021
RESULT
Crystal Palace 3-1 Everton
VENUE
Selhurst Park, Holmesdale Road, London SE25 6PU
OFFICIALS
Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Beck. Fourth official: Tony Harrington. VAR: Stuart Attwell. Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard
DISCIPLINE
BOOKINGS – Abdoulaye Doucoure (72), Demarai Gray (76)
RED CARD – none
GOALS
Conor Gallagher (41, 90+2), James Tomkins (62), Salomon Rondon (70)
ASSISTS
Jordan Ayew (41), Will Hughes (73)
TEB VERDICT
The immediate concern in recent was how Vieira tackles the problem of losing two key players in McArthur and Andersen. With both still absent after three defeats in a row, the Frenchman had already instilled Tomkins alongside Guehi which was always going to take time to gel, but finally took the plunge and brought Will Hughes into the midfield which proved a masterstroke. The former Watford man made a huge difference in the middle of the park on his full debut which more importantly allowed Conor Gallagher play his natural game, and that paid dividends.
This was an impressive way to end the losing streak and while there were a few shaky moments at 2-1 up, the Eagles earned the result and answered a few questions that had been surfacing in recent weeks.
BOB’S POINT OF VIEW
Bob White was a coach at Palace under the tenure of Steve Coppell and Alan Smith and will be sharing his point of view each week in our review article.
“A big win as we enter the hectic festive period. After three consecutive losses it was important for the confidence to produce a performance which ultimately deserved the win. Everton were a disappointment. Negative for long periods but that should not detract from our excellent performance. Palace dominated possession and posed regular threats to the Everton defence particularly during the first half. We survived a shaky spell after Everton pulled a goal back but a fine save from Guaita ensured we went on to secure all three points with a top class Gallagher finish in added time.
Much of the plaudits will rightly go to Gallagher but honourable mentions should also go to Hughes (a potential long term replacement for McArthur?) and the often maligned Ayew. Four wins secured so far and six more required as soon as possible to set-up a good finish in the table. At least four points from our next two games will nicely set us up for the Christmas and New Year fixtures. Up the Palace!”
PLAYER RATINGS
1 Vicente Guaita (7), 2 Joel Ward (6), 5 James Tomkins (7), 6 Marc Guehi (7), 3 Tyrick Mitchell (6), 23 Conor Gallagher (9), 8 Cheikhou Kouyate (7), 12 Will Hughes (7), 11 Wilfried Zaha (7), 9 Jordan Ayew (7), 22 Odsonne Edouard (7)
SUBSTITUTES – 1 Jack Butland, 7 Michael Olise, 10 Eberechi Eze, 14 Jean-Philippe Mateta, 15 Jeffrey Schlupp (x – replaced Hughes on 73 mins), 17 Nathaniel Clyne (x – replaced Mitchell on 90+1 mins), 20 Christian Benteke (x – replaced Edouard on 74 mins), 34 Martin Kelly, 44 Jairo Riedewald
OPPOSITION LINE-UP
1 Pickford, 23 Coleman, 4 Holgate, 5 Keane, 22 Godfrey, 8 Delph, 14 Townsend, 16 Doucoure, 21 Andre Gomes, 11 Gray, 7 Richarlison
SUBSTITUTES – 2 Kenny, 15 Begovic, 17 Iwobi, 24 Gordon (replaced Delph on 58 mins), 25 Gbamin, 32 Braithwaite, 33 Rondon (replaced Richarlison on 58 mins), 50 Simms, 62 Onyango
POST GAME QUOTES
PATRICK VIEIRA – “We started quite well. In the first half in particular we played some really good football. In the second half it was a little more difficult for us. We lack some maturity. When we concede the goal it was challenging for us but the team stuck together. They pulled their sleeves up and we accepted the fight. That game will give us confidence for the rest of the season.”
RAFA BENITEZ – “We were dangerous on the counter. After a mistake we conceded a goal then it’s more difficult to change things. We conceded another goal, another mistake. When we scored we had a couple of chances and didn’t take them. We made another mistake and conceded another goal. It’s something we need to learn. With VAR, it’s happening to us two or three times, crucial decisions not in our favour. We were there, we were pushing. We had a couple of chances. It’s a pity. The team were fighting. With more accuracy in the final third, the team is working hard. The reaction was there today.”
MATCH STATISTICS
The Who Scored man of the match was Conor Gallagher (9.8) who also had the most shots (7). The most tackles were made by Ben Godfrey and Andros Townsend (5) as the most dribbles were by Demarai Gray (6).
- Team rating: 7.04 – 6.33
- Total shots: 17 – 22
- Shots on target: 6 – 6
- Possession: 61.2% – 38.8%
- Pass success: 83% – 70%
- Passes: 487 – 306
- Dribbles: 10 – 12
- Aerials won: 27 – 14
- Tackles: 15 – 25
- Fouls: 15 – 14
- Corners: 8 – 2
- Saves: 5 – 3
- Dispossessed: 16 – 8
POSITION IN THE TABLE
Palace are 12th in the Premier League with 19 points from 16 games, a point behind Brighton in 11th and level with Villa in 13th.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
15/12/21 Southampton (h) – Premier League (7.30pm)
18/12/21 Watford (a) – Premier League (3pm)
26/12/21 Tottenham Hotspur (a) – Premier League (3pm)
