A last-gasp flick of Diogo Jota’s boot was all it took to shatter the hopes of Palace fans everywhere as Wolves earned a late 1-1 draw against the Eagles.
Whilst the immense “disappointment” felt by Roy Hodgson via a statement to the CPFC media team may echo the feelings of Palace fans, there are nonetheless causes for optimism as football pundits and fans digest the details of Sunday’s performance.
Without further ado, here are three crucial and concise conclusions from Sunday’s last-minute draw!
- Sakho is more match-ready
Despite the concession of four first-half goals against Spurs in the preceding fixture, Hodgson once again trusted Sakho to make a defensive impact.
Whilst Palace couldn’t keep a clean sheet against Wolves, Sakho no longer appeared to be an unfit liability in the starting XI. Alongside Gary Cahill, Mamadou Sakho fought valiantly as part of the defensive unit to ensure Palace made some crucial interceptions, preventing superb build-up play from every truly materialising.
He looked a different player against Wolves; most would agree that at full fitness, the ex-Liverpool man is the Eagles’ best centre-back.
2. Ward deserves credit
It would be easy to blame Ward’s decision to duck down from an Adama Traore cross as the principle cause for the failure to secure three points on Sunday. Yet, Ward’s overall performance renders this as a lazy conclusion.
Following the failure to replace the departed Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back, Joel Ward has found himself under plentiful pressure, given a lack of positional competition. Along with other performances, his crucial interceptions, reading of play and the forced own goal he created proved why Joel Ward is still a deserving contender for man of the match.
3. There is great cause for optimism at Selhurst
Palace fans need not despair – there is still a great cause for optimism as the Eagles’ 2019/20 season continues.
One stat that may interest Palace fans is the fact that Palace have improved their home form greatly. Palace now have gone an impressive five Premier League games unbeaten at Selhurst Park, gaining five points (1W 2D) at home thus far. Off the back of abysmal home form last season – Palace only picked up a measly five Premier League wins at Selhurst in 2018/19 – this will dispel any insecurities towards home form. Plus, with the new singing section for the Holmesdale Fanatics, expect the atmosphere to be thumping ahead of the next fixture, as Palace host Norwich.
