It has once again been a busy pre-season campaign at a time when it did not seem that long ago since the last Premier League game ended. Here is our look at the games involving the first team.
Barnet 3-5 Crystal Palace
A debut trip to The Hive for the Eagles as the hosts Barnet celebrate their return to the Football League following a short non-league hiatus. Goals from Dwight Gayle (3), Reise Allassani and Frazier Campbell sealed the win for the visitors to kick off the pre-season campaign in style. A strong line up started this game which included youth team players Hiram Boateng and Sulley KaiKai.
Union Berlin 2-0 Crystal Palace
A disappointing trip to Germany in a game that saw Yohan Cabaye make his first appearance from the bench at half time. He could not prevent the Eagles from losing out to a Berlin side that sealed the game with a late second when Palace were chasing the game. Ten substitutes were used in the second half which did not help the flow of the game which is typical of pre-season. More importantly, Yannick Bolasie looked to suffer a hamstring injury in his brief appearance.
Supersport United 0-4 Crystal Palace
The first game of the Cape Town Cup as Palace return to South Africa after being the first team to visit post-apartheid all those years ago. Goals from Jedinak, Lee, Mutch and Campbell saw the Eagles safely through to the final against the little known opponents. Midfielder Jordon Mutch impressed with a terrific solo effort. Patrick Bamford made his first appearance for the club from the bench.
Sporting Lison 2-0 Crystal Palace
The Cape Town Cup final was a tight affair but Palace lost out to two good goals which won the competition for the Portuguese side. Goalkeeper made his debut for the club and was in good form even if he was unlucky for the first goal. The ball flew past his dive but came off his back and into the net after hitting the post.
Bromley 0-6 Crystal Palace
A demolition of newly promoted conference side Bromley courtesy of goals from Bamford (3), Gayle, Zaha and KaiKai. It was the Chelsea loanee that stole the show and took the plaudits after scoring a fourteen minute hat-trick. His all round game for the duration of his time in the pitch was impressive.
Fulham 1-1 Crystal Palace
Palace were thankful to an equaliser from left back Pape Souare who rose like a salmon at the far post. It was an impressive performance from the Senagalese international. The visitors did enough to win the game with plenty of second half chances but simply could not finish the game off against the Championship side. Yohan Cabaye suffered an injury in the first half and it remains to be seen if this will threaten his place in the opener against Norwich. Damien Delaney also picked up a knock.
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 Crystal Palace
The day that Connor Wickham was finally confirmed at a Palace player after years of being linked with the young striker. He started up front alongside Bamford and Campbell, the latter going off early to what looked like a hamstring injury. Neither we on the pitch for the winning goal as mostly youth players were fielded along with McCarthy, Kelly, Hangeland and Lee.
Review
Played 7. Won 3. Drew 1. Lost 3. That would be 10 points from a possible 21.
All joking aside, this is pre-season and should not be taken seriously at all by fans. It should be taken seriously though by the management staff and players to get out of the games that they want to. If Alan Pardew feels that he has seen enough from the players both in these games and in pre-season training to help him make thos vital decisions then it will have been a success.
The concern is injuries. There are doubts over Cabaye, Bolasie and Delaney after these games with Speroni already confirmed out for up to three to four weeks. The highlights are a run out for Wickham, goals for Bamford and Gayle as well as action in goal for McCarthy.
Bring on competitive football. You have been missed.
