Guaita Stars As Eagles Respond With Victory Over Saints

A reaction was expected after the disappointing defeat last weekend, and that is exactly what we got at Selhurst Park where victory sees Palace on a run of only one defeat in five Premier League games ahead of two away trips until the World Cup break.

TIME/ DATE/ VENUE

• 3pm
• 21^st October 2022
• Selhurst Park, Holmesdale Road, London SE25 6PU

RESULT

Crystal Palace1-0 Southampton

PLAYER RATINGS

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 5 James TOMKINS, 12 Malcolm EBIOWEI, 14 Jean-Philippe MATETA, 17 Nathaniel CLYNE, 21 Sam JOHNSTONE, 47 Jack WELLS-MORRISON

OPPOSITION LINE-UP

UNSED SUBSTITUTES – 1 Alex MCCARTHY, 9 Adam ARMSTRONG, 28 Juan LARIOS, 32 Theo WALCOTT, 61 Lewis PAYNE

TEB VERDICT

The perfect way to get a big defeat out of the systems is bouncing back with a win and that is exactly what Palace did at home to Southampton. The visitors could not get close to the Eagles in the first half who should have been out of sight by half time. Having said that, the second half was quote different as the visitors were clearly chasing the game and forced a couple of very good saves from Guaita who played his part in the win and a clean sheet.

A worthy mention to both Luka Milivojevic and Jeffrey Schlupp who shored up a midfield missing the injury Cheick Doucoure and deserve plenty of credit for their performances.

This was an important win ahead of two away trips before the break until Boxing Day in which was the last home game this side of the World Cup. This division is shaping up to be one of the most competitive we have seen with anyone capable of beating anyone, Palace are doing their bit with victories over the teams you want to be beating such as Southampton, Wolves and Villa.

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.

“The classic game of two halves – we played the first on the front foot, high intensity and press, posing the Saints defence all sorts of questions on a regular basis. A single goal scored by Edouard was scant reward for a performance which deserved much more and enough to put us out of sight by half time.  

Our second half was a poor as the first half was excellent. Although Saints stepped up their intensity in approach, we struggled to get a true foothold in the game and maintain any control in possession. Our defensive qualities were certainly fully put to the test but with dogged resolve and organisation we held out for an invaluable three points.  

However, on the plus side we have earned ourselves three consecutive home wins and currently securing us a top half position in the table. If we can gain at least two points from the final two games before the World Cup break, it would put us in a decent position for the next phase of the season.  

Numbers and options still remain short in midfield and it will be interesting to see whether additions are made in that specific area during the January window. Stand-out performances for me were Guaita and Guehi. Together they ensured we kept a clean sheet which guaranteed us the invaluable win.”

POST GAME QUOTES

PATRICK VIEIRA – “Game of two halves, in the first half we were really good, played some good football, created chances but couldn’t score. We scored that one goal but we should’ve gone into half time with more goals and that is one of the sides of the game we have to improve. Came back in the second half you give hope to the opponents, they played really well and made it difficult for us. We needed to show something else and I’m pleased with the attitude we showed in a difficult period.

The mental belief, 1-0 down they were still in the game. They played with more tempo and more forward, committing more forward. We started the second half a bit flat and it became more difficult for us to get any momentum. We needed to defend well and the players who came on really brought positiveness and more energy to the team and that allowed us to keep a clean sheet.

When we are in a good period in the game we have to score more goals. It’s difficult for us to control the game from the start to the end. We showed the other side of the game when we were in a difficult situation – the team is growing and those kind of games and playing under pressure will give us confidence and belief and we will learn from those games.

We did not make the right decision all the time and we have to keep working on that.”

RALPH HASENHUTTL – “The opponent started very aggressive and we had a few problems with build-up in the first half. Second half we made one change and we were much better. When you see our chances in second half, we know that we have to score in these moments.

In the first half we lost the ball a few times in midfield and that was a set back, in the second half we had more calmness on the ball. In the second half we created massive chances, twice we hit the post. In away games when you don’t score it’s hard to get anything. We needed better clinical finishing, we know we had these chances today and we didn’t score and I think we had the better ones.

There’s positive things but what hurts more? Not having chances or having chances and not scoring?”

MATCH STATISTICS

POSITION IN THE TABLE

UPCOMING FIXTURES (ahead of World Cup break)

06/11/22 West Ham United (a) – Premier League (2pm)

09/11/22 Newcastle United (a) – League Cup (7.45pm)

12/11/22 Nottingham Forest (a) – Premier League (3pm)