Crystal Palace claimed bragging rights in the A23 derby thanks to Jordan Ayew’s seventh goal of the campaign.
His 70th minute strike settled a feisty contest and sent the Eagles faithful delirious as they all but secured Premier League survival whilst thrusting their fierce rivals into the relegation battle.
On a day where the result was paramount over performance, Ayew’s goal will have cemented himself into Palace folklore, but it was another of Roy Hodgson’s side which had fans purring.
Vicente Guaita, already a Palace hero thanks to multiple Man Of The Match displays this season, had a brick wall in front of him.
Joel Ward, Scott Dann and Patrick van Aanholt all rightly getting plaudits, but the man who wore the armband in the absence of Luka Milivojevic was the cream of the crop.
Of course, Gary Cahill.
🏆 You voted Gary Cahill as today's @eToro Man of the Match!#CPFC | #BHACRY pic.twitter.com/BmFayfppQZ
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 29, 2020
Establishing himself as a key leading figure in the side, the former Chelsea captain and Champions League winner once again proved those who say he was looking for a final pay day when he arrived on a free transfer in the summer wrong.
We got Gary Cahill on a free transfer let’s not forget!! Man of the match 💯 tremendous win!! #3points #cpfc
— S@NDY🙋♀ (@sandy118118) February 29, 2020
#CPFC Gary Cahill quality today
— Danny Collins (@collind6) February 29, 2020
Gary Cahill man of the match for me
— Armani (@The_ArmaniCode) February 29, 2020
What we've lacked in the last three derbies is a leader. And he delivered in spades as both a captain and a center back
What a signing #cpfc #BHACRY
Hi Roy Hodgson,
— joe (@joecallon) February 29, 2020
Cahill stays captain. Every week.
Cheers.#CPFC
The result we all wanted more than anything. Cahill outstanding. #cpfc
— Jack Barton 🇪🇺🌍 🦅 (@JackkBarton) February 29, 2020
Gary Cahill is class!!!!!! #cpfc
— Matt Packham (@MatthewPackham) February 29, 2020
Cahill may have got the Man Of The Match award with fans drooling over his display, but it’s not to say his defensive partner didn’t get any recognition.
Nothing like seeing Scotty Dann back in that back 4! He’s a club legend! #cpfc
— Dan (@DannyGauntlett) February 29, 2020
Scott Dann doesn't get talked about enough on here, to be honest. He was obviously our best CB by a mile in his first 3 seasons at the club, but since then he's become a bit part player, however, he's still always reliable when called upon. Immense today alongside Cahill.#CPFC
— Nick 🦅 (@Nick_CPFC) February 29, 2020
Great performance by #cpfc in parts but in my opinion Scott Dann was amazing stand out performance from a man normally used to the subs bench!
— Luke Weaser-Seychell (@Luke_Seychell) February 29, 2020
Scott Dann is back baby. #cpfc pic.twitter.com/SgUgEpAOeH
— CLH (@CabayeLovesHugs) February 29, 2020
Very impressed with Scott Dann today #CPFC
— George Mann (@George_Persona) February 29, 2020
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