Olise Stunner Secures Deserved Point For Palace

In what was a good game under the lights at Sehurst, the Eagles followed up their good performance at Chelsea at the weekend with arguably a better one against United which saw the hosts do plenty to share the points.

TIME/ DATE/ VENUE

• 8pm
• 18^th January 2023
• Selhurst Park, Holmesdale Road, London SE25 6PU

RESULT

Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United

PLAYER RATINGS

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 2 Joel WARD, 5 James TOMKINS, 21 Sam JOHNSTONE, 44 Jairo RIEDEWALD, 77 David OZOH

OPPOSITION LINE-UP

UNSED SUBSTITUTES – 2 Victor LINDELOF, 5 Harry MAGUIRE, 12 Tyrell MALACIA, 22 Tom HEATON, 28 Facundo PELLESTRI, 36 Anthony ELANGA

TEB VERDICT

If the performance at the weekend was positive then this was another step in the right direction. Patrick Vieira picked a starting eleven that many had wanted and it did not disappoint. The heads did not go down after conceding right before the break as Palace fought back to secure an unexpected draw with an equaliser which was simply superb from the rising star that is Michael Olise.

It was a bold move to start with Jean-Phillippe Mateta and Odsonne Edouard while Eberechi Eze and Jordan Ayew made way with places on the bench. Notable starts for Will Hughes who complemented Cheick Doucoure very well indeed and put in a very good performance in the middle of the pitch, while Chris Richards replacing the injured Joachim Andersen was superb. The line up ,which surprised many, was well balanced and with the changes from the bench particularly Eze making important contributions.

It has been a difficult run of results but the players have stood up to be counted in two games where many did not expect any points from. More of the same against Newcastle and we could well be looking at more points to the tally.

POST GAME QUOTES

PATRICK VIEIRA

“It feels like a win because we are happy with not losing the game. It was tough but it was important not to concede the second goal and stay strong in the second half. We built the momentum and belief and we got rewarded with Michael’s free kick.

We wanted to have the ball and have possession but we couldn’t because of United’s quality. We showed discipline and not conceding that second goal was important. We believed and then came the free kick.

When you look at the performances against two teams [Chelsea and Manchester United] who are on a different level, competing for Champions League, if we keep that competitiveness, it will serve us well.

We look deeper than the result. Our performances have been positive and we want to build from that. You have ups and downs when you are building but it is important for me and the club to stay level headed because it is a process.

Really pleased with Chris Richards’ performance, he showed that he can compete with our centre backs to play more often. Will Hughes was also important today. It is good to keep the whole squad happy and part of everything.”

ERIC TEN HAG

“I think we controlled the game and scored a good goal. I wouldn’t say a top, top performance but it was okay. We had control of the game. We had to invest more in the second. At 2-0 it would be over. If you concede a goal one or two minutes before it’s difficult to react although we had a chance with Casemiro. We have to take the lesson and invest more for the second goal.”

MATCH STATISTICS

POSITION IN THE TABLE (at the final whistle)

UPCOMING FIXTURES

21/01/23 Newcastle United (h) – Premier League (5.30pm)

04/02/23 Manchester United (a) – Premier League (3pm)

11/02/23 Brighton (h) – Premier League (3pm)

18/02/23 Brentford (a) – Premier League (3pm)

25/02/23 Liverpool (h) – Premier League (3pm)