Have Palace had as dominant as a performance as Saturday's in the Premier League? We don't think so, and neither does Mark Gardiner.
Just as against Villa today’s game was one which will judge whether we can continue our improvement. From one perspective then this was a disappointing match as nothing can be drawn from a West Brom side that was sent out with such a defensive outlook (where we ever that unambitious under Pulis) and managed to put in a performance that should see the relegation danger bells ringing. They were awful. In contrast Palace played exceptionally well, even allowing for the paucity of opposition, and even more impressive kept their patience as the half-chances mounted without a goal being scored. The weak point in our play was at first the final ball, with the wingers either making the wrong choices, or their crosses not finding men in the box. When we did sort out the crossing towards the end of the first half, and throughout the second, there was often a lack of numbers in the box. Then there was the feeling that we just lacked that real cutting edge up front despite all our dominance of the ball & territory. Finally we managed to put it all together and administered as thorough & chastening a 2-0 beating to Albion as could be imagined. For once a rare game where we had most of the ball saw us convert that superiority into a result.
Pardew made two changes from the side that started at Watford, showing his ruthless side by leaving out Ledley for McArthur after Joe’s steely display, and making the more understandable choice of Zaha over Sako on the right. West Brom lined up in a rigid 4-1-4-1 but their choice of full backs was interesting: Dawson, a not untypical Pulis selection of a central defender at full back, on the right and midfielder Brunt on the left – the latter would not have a happy day at Selhurst. Palace started a little slowly and although the passing was decent there was a lack of snap in the play at first, with some careless play at the back that thankfully Albion lacked the wit to exploit. Wilf was perhaps symptomatic of the first little spell, looking happy when the ball was played into his feet, but not looking interested at making runs off the ball; he wasn’t alone in the first 10 minutes. Despite that Wilf still managed to create a couple of openings by bamboozling Brunt, but really sprang to life after a little spell of handbags behind the referee’s back. From that point on he was always the main threat and tormented Brunt as well as rearranging the defender’s nasal profile (completely by accident, of course!).
Sadly Bolasie, who we anticipated making mincemeat of crowd favourite Dawson, wasn’t quite on the game in the first half, and despite a couple of half-hit efforts straight at Myhill he often made the wrong choice. Fortunately midfield was caught in an iron grip with McArthur doing the simple tasks exceptionally well, Cabaye running the game as we’d dreamed he might, and Puncheon was providing some excellent passes. Most of out attacks were down the flanks, with Gayle getting little change out of Evans & McAuley, and although Palace kept the ball well, not afraid to work the ball across the back four or even back to Hennessey, a lot of our best chances came from early balls played either inside the full backs or over the top for our swift attacking trio to take advantage of. Yet chances were few – I can only recall a couple of decent saves from Myhill, from a Cabaye shot from distance that went straight at him, and from Zaha’s shot from a tight angle. West Brom did suffer the loss of Evans, and although sub Chester is a player I admire it did seem to unsettle their back four with both full backs under some pressure. But Berahino might as well have pushed off to White Hart Lane already so invisible he was, while Rondón looked to be carrying a little extra weight but was so isolated I don’t think he touched the ball in our box. Compare & contrast the performances of both sides’ record signings.
There was a little disquiet at half time – how many times have Palace bossed a match but failed to make advantage count and then been caught with a sucker punch? Well, at least West Brom managed a shot on target in the second half but Hennessy got down smartly at his near post for a routine save. Apart from that it was waiting to see if Palace could unpick Albion’s defensive cover. The best option still looked to be Zaha down the right, although increasingly Bolasie & Souaré down the left were starting to unravel West Brom’s opposite flank. (Not sure if Albion switched Dawson as the numbers of West Brom’s admirable proper kit were pretty much unreadable.) The ball was switched around with some excellent passing moves but again chances were few, and sadly Gayle while not playing poorly just didn’t seem able to gain a sight of goal.
It looked like we would have to change the team, and Sako was stripped at the fourth official’s side when Souaré earned a corner. Strangely we didn’t make the change then, and it was perhaps just as well, for after the first delivery was cleared, Puncheon’s fine through ball found Cabaye, and his cross was measured for Bolasie to head home from close range at the far post. Yannick had seemed the most likely player to be withdrawn for Sako and his first goal at Selhurst for about three ice ages was most welcome and deserved. Palace’s control of midfield wasn’t even threatened when McArthur twice went down with either knee trouble or cramp. Campbell replaced Gayle and despite some heavy touches the attack did seem to be more cohesive with his more athletic style, and it was Fraizer who played in Wilf on the right who drew the tackle from Brunt just inside the box that could only produce one outcome: Cabaye’s penalty finish was cool and deadly. Wilf, who had just earned a yellow card for retaliation, was withdrawn for Ledley but it was Hennessey, making a good save from McManaman’s shot from a tight angle, who saw the last meaningful action before the curtain fell.
Hennessey - 6 – Very little to do but did it well. Looked comfortable with the ball at his feet – sometimes too comfortable as he was nearly closed down a couple of times – and his long kicks had great distance & mostly decent direction.
Kelly – 6 – Solid at the back, did help Wilf in attack down the right, but like all the defenders had little actual defensive work to do.
Souaré – 7 – His value as an auxiliary left winger is growing, with his speed a real asset as well as his ability to cross, both early & late. Defensively it looked like he’d adopted a policy of: “When in doubt, put it out” which isn’t attractive but is often effective.
Hangeland – 6 – Simple day policing Rondón, low mark only reflects the easy game the defence had with few tackles of challenges required.
Dann – 6 – As for Hangeland; not sure Roy Hodgson learned a great deal from this game, although West Brom could be a decent stand-in for San Marino on an off day.
McArthur – 7 – James doesn’t seem to have outstandingly brilliant games, only delivering consistent displays so that when he has a dip in form it’s barely noticeable. Today he played the deeper role and shielded the defence well, picking up a lot of loose balls and also not afraid to burst forward occasionally. To be honest he’d be more obviously excellent if it wasn’t for the man alongside...
Cabaye – 8 – The sort of performance we’d hoped Yohan would be able to deliver. Surprised by the amount of defensive work he has done this season this was the first game where he really put his creative mark on the match, playing a little further up the pitch. Didn’t let his defensive duties lapse either. One of the most perfect midfield performances I’ve seen from a Palace midfielder, certainly in the top flight. The quality of his cross which was dug out over a short distance for the first goal was understated, while his penalty was a lesson in simplicity.
Puncheon – 7 – Excellent game in a creative role, given the platform by Cabaye & McArthur. Started with a great ball inside Brunt to set Zaha free and continued in that role, while still putting his foot in occasionally. Nice through ball to find Cabaye in build-up for the first goal.
Zaha – 8 – Thought although he had a couple of early runs it wasn’t until he & Brunt crossed swords that he seemed to bring a greater focus to his game. He made chances for himself and others in the first half and continued in that vein in the second, finally drawing the obligatory foul in the box. Only down side was his handbags with Brunt, when he seemed to put his hand in the defender’s face unnoticed by the officials, and his retaliation when victim of a poor tackle by Yacob when a fussier or less observant referee might have sent him off. Difficult I know as I’d be thumping Yacob as well (more likely running away...) Will not be on the Brunts’ Christmas card list this year.
Bolasie – 7 – Underwhelming first half when I was looking forward to that nice young Mister Dawson being ripped apart technically and mentally (& how sad it wasn’t Craig’s nose that was introduced to Wilf’s elbow!) but perhaps we can put that lack of attention down to his father’s funeral earlier this week. Certainly seemed more switched on after the interval, helped by Souaré’s willingness to support his attacks, and they are developing into quite a good partnership. Think he was about to be withdrawn when he found space at the far post and his header was brave given he knew he’d be thumped by the keeper.
Gayle – 6 – Didn’t play poorly but wasn’t quite on the same wavelength as the rest of the attack, never quite being in the right place when a cross came in, or being ignored by the wingers when he was. Summed up when he didn’t anticipate Zaha’s great little through ball.
Campbell – 6 – Despite his first touch being a foul I thought the attack did look aligned much better when Fraizer arrived. Gayle is obviously the more talented but Campbell integrates better and offered a more physical threat. Had one run where his lack of a left foot was made painfully obvious, but also supplied the pass to set Zaha free to win the penalty.
Ledley – n/a – Last minute substitute for Zaha.