Alan Pardew is off the mark in the Premier League with Crystal Palace after the red and blue army beat Tottenham in front a delirious Selhurst Park on Saturday evening.
The result could be the catalyst for an upturn in form for the South London club. The return of Pardew seemed to lift the players and none more so than Jason Puncheon.
I will be looking at some of the highlights and talking points of Saturday’s game in this week’s article as it was a big game for both teams. For Spurs they were looking to close the gap on the top four and strengthen their position in the top six. As for Palace the task was simple, win and move out of the bottom three.
Pardew Effect
Ever since Pardew walked through the door the club has looked revitalised. The players look refreshed and more importantly look ready for the tough challenge that awaits them in fighting off relegation.
Players that have not really had a chance under previous bosses have shined. In the FA Cup game at Dover Athletic Barry Bannan was the stand out player while Saturday saw the returning Adlene Guedioura impress when called upon.
It is not just the players that are feeling the Pardew effect either, it is the fans as well.
One player that this renewed optimism and belief has to rub off on is Wilfried Zaha. Since returning to Selhurst Park on loan we have not seen the real Zaha. We have not seen the rampaging, silky Zaha. A Zaha that on his day could be a match for the best full backs in the Premier League. This is the Zaha that the Palace fans crave.
Pardew could be the man to unlock that self-belief that Zaha has lacked at times this season. In his post match interview Pardew talked about this ‘maverick’ behaviour that he is looking for in his forward. That off-the-cusp play could be the difference for Palace this season.
It was Puncheon that impressed most, scoring the vital goal but it was his all round play that caught the eye. He will be an important player for Palace until the end of the season. If he can continue to chip in with goals like that Palace should be able to steer clear of relegation.
It is early days of course, but Pardew is having the desired effect Palace fans want. Will it continue for the rest of the season? I do not know but I have a sneaky feeling that it just might.
Harry Kane
Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham are beginning to be moulded into his side. They were not as devastating as they were against Chelsea, but one man in particular once again found the net, that was Harry Kane.
The Spurs forward has been in scintillating form this season. His second half goal Saturday took him to eighteen in all competitions. A fantastic return for someone which at the start of the season was not Tottenham’s preferred centre-forward.
His goals and all round play have made people sit up and take notice. An England call-up is beckoning. A few more goals and impressive displays, Roy Hodgson not picking him would be an injustice.
His arrowed finish at Selhurst was classy and in the process ruined Palace’s clean sheet run of three games prior to Tottenham visiting Selhurst.
In any case, Kane is maturing into a proper English centre-forward material. He has the physique and he has that burst of pace. I would not say he is the most skilful but he is scoring goals in the toughest league in the world.
James McArthur
Even though Neil Warnock departed the club when we only had one win in twelve games, he did bring in James McArthur and for that I am grateful.
He was sensational on Saturday, he was everywhere. If you watch the feature ‘Jim and Jay’s Thoughts’, Jim from FYP pointed out a really good point in that McArthur is not particular good at one thing but he is good at everything.
The former Wigan Athletic player has a terrific engine, he can pass and he has chipped in with a goal or two. I think it might be time for the Palace faithful to think up a song for our number eighteen.
It was Palace that reigned supreme under the lights at Selhurst in a convincing performance. A performance that encouraged the Palace faithful to think that relegation would just have to wait.
With Pardew at the helm renewed optimism is back at Selhurst and it was clearly felt all around the ground. And not before time as we have some big games coming up, starting with Burnley away.
I am going to say it again as I feel it is necessary.
Be LOUD, Be PROUD, Be PALACE!!
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