MATCH FACTS
- Date – 31st January 2017
- Venue – Vitality Stadium
- Attendance – 11,286
- Referee – Jonathan Moss
- Bookings – Benteke, Ward, Delaney
- Goals – Dann (46), Benteke (90)
- Star Eagle – Christian Benteke (8.3)
TEB VERDICT
A very welcome win on transfer deadline day which saw new recruits arrive as the club prepare for the remaining fixtures of the season. There was a renewed vigour about the side that showed plenty of fight and passion which bodes really well for the up coming matches. An away win with two goals scored and a clean sheet to boot but it was a performance that had plenty more positives and really something for Allardyce and this updated group of players to build on.
PLAYER RATINGS (courtesy of Who Scored)
13 Wayne Hennessey (6.9) – Pulled off some crucial saves but most of what the hosts attempted was off target.
2 Joel Ward (6.9) – Solid display in an unaccustomed wing back role but seemed to rise to the importance of the fixture.
5 James Tomkins (7.4) – Played his part in a strong centre-back-three and showing just what he is capable of now that he has hopefully shaken of the niggling injuries that blighted the start of his Eagles career.
6 Scott Dann (7.7) – Excellent showing from the captain who scored once again to make the opposition sick of the sight of him.
27 Damien Delaney (7.6) – Just when you think the big Irishman could well become a squad player, he puts in a performance like this. Strong in the tackle and as dependable as ever but distribution can still let him down.
3 Patrick van Aanholt (6.8) – Good debut for the Dutchman considering he has had little time to get to know his team-mates.
18 James McArthur (6.9) – The engine in the heart of the midfield just does what we expect of him week in week out, continually being a thorn in the side of the opposition. Replaced by 10 Andros Townsend (7.3) on 76 minutes and impressed for the first time in a while, providing a superb assist for Benteke after intercepting a ball out of the opposition defence.
7 Yohan Cabaye (7.2) – The Frenchman continued to show just why he was brought to South London, maybe Allardyce is the man to get the best out of him. Replaced by 16 Joe Ledley (6.1) on 76 minutes to provide a fresh pair of legs in the midfield and to help see out the game.
42 Jason Puncheon (7.0) – Played a little more unfamiliar role than he is used to but played his part throughout regardless. Replaced by 4 Mathieu Flamini (6.0) on 90 minutes who had no time to impress other than to help see out the final seconds.
11 Wilfried Zaha (7.9) – Returning from international duty with the Ivory Coast as if he had not been away. Great effort that cannoned off the post early which perhaps deserved a goal.
17 Christian Benteke (8.3) – Played the lone striker role well with the support of the midfield throughout. Deserved his goal right at the end to seal the win which was put on a plate for him by Townsend.
Unused substitutes – Julian Speroni, Zeki Fryers, Fraizer Campbell, Loic Remy
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID
‘It is a relief for me. It really should have happened in the first game at Watford and it’s been a long haul since. You can’t argue with the result with the amount of chances we created. They executed the game plan brilliantly today.’ – SAM ALLARDYCE courtesy of BBC Sport.
‘We played with a lack of confidence today. We didn’t hurt them enough. They got a lot of men behind the ball and it’s up to us to find a way through. We didn’t play well but we didn’t look like we were going to concede. I don’t think our problem was defensively today. Usually at home we have a spring in our step but that wasn’t there today and that’s concerning. We had some very good chances we didn’t take, even though we played poorly.” – EDDIE HOWE courtesy of BBC Sport.
MATCH STATISTICS
The Who Scored man of the match was Christian Benteke (8.3) while Wilfried Zaha had the most shots (3). The most tackles were made by Brad Smith, James McArthur, Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend (3) while Joshua King had the most dribbles (5).
- Team rating: 6.37 – 7.14
- Total shots: 10 – 11
- Shots on target: 2 – 4
- Possession: 65.3% – 34.7%
- Pass success: 84% – 67%
- Dribbles: 15 – 8
- Aerials won: 11 – 26
- Tackles: 12 – 16
- Corners: 2 – 3
- Dispossessed: 11 – 7
POSITION IN THE TABLE
Palace remain in 18th place in the Premier League with 19 points from 23 games, three points ahead of Hull City and Sunderland and two behind Middlesbrough, Leicester City and Swansea City.
