Another story of neither side having the ability required to break the deadlock. Unusually Palace probably shaded possession against Swansea – something we’d never had considered remotely possible 18 months ago – but the loss of Bolasie’s mercurial pace & skills and Wickham’s stolid central striker role left us short of the wit or sheer brute force to find a goal. Swansea were undoubtedly more defensive in outlook than usual and, given their League position, the happier with a point, although they nearly snatched an undeserved win in the last minute. Palace didn’t really do enough to deserve a win either and also suffered a blow in the immediate future with Cabaye suspended for next Sunday’s clash with Chelsea.
Pardew made four changes from the starting XI at Bournemouth: out went Delaney (injury), Ledley (match fitness?), Mutch (better option available) and Campbell (rotation?); in at central defender was Hangeland, Jedinak & Cabaye in midfield and Chamakh up front. In the first half Cabaye played in an advanced role to support Chamakh, and at first all went well: Palace applied early pressure and Swansea appeared as jittery at the back as Newcastle did. Yet this happy state of affairs didn’t last long, and apart from one dangerous cross from Zaha Palace produced absolutely nothing material.
The first half was, in retrospect, one of the most featureless of recent seasons. Two teams managed one real effort on goal, and Cabaye’s effort was so high & wide it scarcely deserved that category. Zaha flattered to deceive on the right, but the real problem came down our left, where Puncheon kept drifting inside, necessitating Chamakh pulling wide and so removing our one direct goal threat from the area. Swansea were not much better, one break by Barrow ended by an excellent Dann tackle, and Hennessey coming out smartly to seize a dangerous looking through ball. The real talking point was referee Swarbrick: Cabaye & Zaha were fouled on numerous occasions yet the assailants went unpunished; Cabaye’s first foul – admittedly his foot was high but so was his opponent’s – drew a yellow card. This was made even more unbelievable when Hangeland was caught on the turn and dragged down Gomis (I think – struggled to tell him & Emnes apart) for the most obvious yellow card yet escaped with barely a word muttered by the official.
The second half was better as the game stretched and there was more space available. Chamakh was replaced at the interval by Bamford which supplied a little more mobility but less effective use of the ball. An early Palace free kick on the flank saw Hangeland’s header well saved by that famous Welsh (or so Nelson Muntz claims) keeper Fabianski but the effort wouldn’t have counted with a flag raised for offside. Bamford was unable to provide a focus for Palace’s attacks but with more spaces appearing Palace looked good down both flanks: Zaha on the right delivered a couple of really dangerous crosses, while Puncheon & Souaré provided a potent threat down the left. Cabaye also dropped deeper and McArthur pushed forward. Dann had a header off target before Souaré was booked for a combination of deliberate handball & tugging his opponent back. It was noticeable that Swansea all game concentrated on Pape’s flank with high balls aimed in his direction. Both teams also looked to stop the playing of the ball out from the back, even at goal kicks, and one series of increasingly dodgy passes between Hennessey, Hangeland & Dann nearly gifted the Swans an opening late on.
As Swansea began to send on their substitutes Hennessey pushed a shot from Barrow over the bar – it wasn’t a convincing save as he seemed in two minds whether to catch or punch. Lee came on for Puncheon down the left and Palace then created their best chance of the match, a little pinball in Swansea’s area ending up at the feet of Bamford – sadly he shot straight at Fabianski. Mutch then replaced McArthur and immediately made a strong run in on goal from left midfield; unfortunately his shot was directed wide of the far post. Mutch then played Souaré in the left side of the box but Pape’s effort from a tight angle was blocked by the advancing keeper. In the dying minutes a Cabaye free kick wasn’t cleared properly and Zaha wriggled free but shot across the face of goal. Swansea nearly completed daylight robbery when Wilf lost possession on the halfway line and Hangeland was beaten by Gomis, dragging him down and earning a caution; Sigurdsson’s free lick was perfectly struck (think Puncheon’s against City last season – same spot, same finish) and looked a certain goal until Hennessey’s long left arm stretched across to tip the ball wide to thunderous applause from the Whitehorse.
Hennessey – 7 – Very little to do. Thought he nearly fluffed a high shot in the second half, but his save of Sigurdsson’s late free kick was brilliant.
Ward – 7 – Composed in defence, but then Swansea tended to attack the other flank, and played well supporting the attack. Was one moment in the second half when the ball was lodged in our area and Joel had the wisdom to thump it out of play.
Souaré – 6 – Struggled at times as Swansea were attacking 2 or 3 strong down his wing, and most goal kicks were played in his direction for an aerial challenge. His booking summed up the problems he had with Barrow. Going forward he played more as a left winger than Puncheon, often providing the width, and his crosses were often dangerous, and he was denied his first Palace goal by some good keeping by Fabianski.
Hangeland – 5 – Did liven the game up with some almost suicidal attempts to play the ball at the back. Had trouble with Gomis all match, twice hauling the attacker down when caught on the turn; should have been booked for the first, but only cautioned for the second.
Dann – 7 – Stopped Swansea’s one dangerous first half attack with a perfectly timed & executed tackle. Dominated Swansea’s attack in the air.
Jedinak – 6 – Good in the tackle and in the air, but how limited his passing (or should that be scooping?) is highlighted by the play of McArthur & particularly Cabaye. Still did his job efficiently and we did see more of the ball than we usually do against these opponents.
McArthur – 6 – Played first half in a normal midfield position and played some good balls across the park but not many incisive through balls. More advanced in the second half and had greater influence. Overall as consistent as ever. Withdrawn for Mutch on 75 minutes.
Cabaye – 6 – Some good play in the first half but for little reward. His shot was way off-target and his booking undeserved in terms of what had gone before, but his foot was high so can understand why in isolation Swarbrick booked him. Dropped deeper in the second half but was unable to impress himself on the game.
Puncheon – 6 – Some good moments as usual, but is he supposed to be playing as a left winger or someone coming inside? He’s not really doing the former job and too often the width came from the left back. I prefer Jason in a more central role and he did have some very good moments in the second half.
Zaha – 6 – Started well with a dangerous cross but was well policed & fouled after that, with no protection from the officials. Second half had more space and looked more dangerous, delivering some really dangerous crosses, and nearly breaking the deadlock himself.
Chamakh – 6 – Worked hard and looked more mobile than he had at Stoke & Bournemouth, but too often his time on the ball was spent in areas that don’t hurt the opposition, often out on the left wing. Didn’t have a sight of goal and let one good ball across the box run in front of him. Replaced at half time.
Bamford – 5 – More mobile than Chamakh but without Marouane’s nous, sometimes unable to play the ball when he should, and his touch sometimes a bit heavy. Tried hard but really shouldn’t have given Fabianski a prayer with our best chance.
Lee Chung-yong – 6 – Replaced Puncheon but can’t really recall hi involved in anything especially good or bad.
Mutch – 6 – If he’d been on the pitch longer than 15 minutes that 6 would be a 7, as Jordon impressed with the first signs of drive. Made a chance for himself with a strong run but his shot was off-target, he also set up a chance for Souaré.