Minimal creativity, absent goal-scoring prowess, and a rigid inflexible tactical approach. These approaches are forming something of an unholy trinity for Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace.

To exacerbate the disgruntlement of Palace fans, ugly statistical reading is an all-too familiar spot of reading – and a clash of rivals with Brighton proved to be no exception.

The Eagles superficially hit a new low in Sunday’s clash of rivals; one shot on target was all the Eagles could muster against the Seagulls and – just to amplify Palace’s creative woes – that lone shot on goal was a converted penalty.

In many ways, the Eagles were fortunate to hold onto a point against their south coast fiends. Graham Potter’s Brighton dominated possession at 65.6%, whilst the Eagles faced a staggering 20 shots. In a game defined by ugliness that saw several scrappy transitions, a controversial penalty and a red card for Brighton captain Lewis Dunk, all logical indicators point to a scrappy, dogged display defined by a lack of footballing imagination.

These symptoms of poor creative threat are becoming routine.

Yet whilst fans bemoan such unenjoyable, stale and supposedly futile approaches to games, there is a danger that a collective myopia takes hold of Palace fans.

Having seemingly dropped two points when Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister’s 90th-minute long shot nestled into the net, a collective tension was released into anger and severe disappointment. Emotions have a way of glossing over a more nuanced and holistic view of the overall game, and to mull over the concession of a late equaliser bulldozes over a myriad of positives from a largely commendable performance.

For one, consider the emergence of Jairo Riedewald. The young Dutchman’s last Premier League start ended in a 3-0 defeat against Leicester in the 2019/20 season. Despite being anything but a nailed-down starter in Hodgson’s plan, Riedewald offered an emphatic performance. His nimble, quick reactions and ability to retain possession showed a vitality that Palace have been lacking. A pass success rate of 95.8 is a testament to his composure and reliability.

He was unfortunate not to round off his performance with an assist. The Eagles had the ball in the net for a second time after Zaha’s penalty, but Batshuayi’s thunderous finish was ruled out for offside. It was a sensational through-ball from Jairo Riedwald to send the Belgian striker in, who was fractionally ahead of his marker. Without diving into the rabbit hole of alternative narratives, the game would have a totally different feel had the Belgian been merely centimetres deeper.

Indeed, Palace’s overall defensive acumen served them well. Palace were remarkably hard to break down; Brighton’s twenty shots only manifested three on target. There are multiple factors to this, but defensive rigidity undoubtedly played a key role.

Fans are not at fault for desiring more enjoyable, forward-thinking, and ambitious play – but should be careful what they wish for. Enthusiastic #RoyOuters would do well to hark back to Frank de Boer’s experiment in creative failure, or a 4-0 thumping by Sunderland because of more progressive, fluid play. Three goals in six minutes is tougher reading than the discipline Hodgson’s side possesses.

Hodgson has produced arguably the most stable and successful period since 2013 in the Premier League. He has outlasted his predecessors whilst having preserved an insecure top-flight status for the Eagles since his arrival in 2017. His contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and it is hard to see Palace prolonging the Hodgson era indefinitely.

Palace fans are right to feel frustrated at Hodgson’s tactical choices, but his defensive discipline is integral – and will continue to be integral – to Palace’s successes this season.

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