Crystal Palace started Monday with two games in hand on the rest of the Premier League, and six points away from sixth place.
They ended it with yet another 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park – their fifth this season – and a clear sense that the league was not The Eagles’ priority.
Conference League or Bust
Oliver Glasner made four changes to the side that sealed Palace’s place in the Conference League semi-finals against Fiorentina, resting Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada, Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta. They are the same group of players who were held back from starting the Eagles’ last Premier League game, and turned a destitute performance against Newcastle into a late victory after their introduction from the bench.
In their place was a more dogged assortment of players, and one less able to create chances through midfield. Jefferson Lerma in particular struggled to be the link between defence and attack, with his errant passing limiting Palace’s ability to build momentum.
Although Glasner made a triple substitution midway through the second half, it is possible that Wharton’s precautionary omission lessened its impact. The 22-year-old is Palace’s most important player, and without his creativity, the South London team lacked the spark needed to break down West Ham.
Another draw against a relegation-threatened side is not an exciting result domestically. But Palace got the real job done – a hardy performance, a point gained, and no new injuries. Wharton will return to training on Thursday and is likely to be fit to start in midfield against Shakhtar next week.
The Eagles live to fight another (more important) day.
Mateta vs Strand Larsen
It was another tough day for Jorgen Stand Larsen. Despite a dynamic start at Palace, the Norwegian has not scored in his last six appearances, and his spot in Palace’s best eleven appears to be in doubt.
His French counterpart, on the other hand, has been enjoying a redemption story. Despite being the villain of Palace’s January transfer window, Mateta’s influential performances since returning from a long-term knee injury have renewed confidence in the 28-year-old – resulting in him starting both legs of the Conference League quarter-final.
His ability to impact the game with his hold-up game – even when isolated – has outshone Strand Larsen, and Monday night’s performance was no different. Seconds after entering the pitch, Mateta used his strength to get away from his marker and passed the ball into space for Daniel Munoz to run onto, resulting in a cross into the box. It was a similar passage of play to the goal that won Palace the FA Cup last year, and one that has not featured enough in the Eagles’ displays this season.
It is no accident that Strand Larsen’s dip in form coincides with Evann Guessand’s injury. Palace’s record signing is at his best when he is closely surrounded by players he can link up with, and Guessand’s combination of physicality and skill makes him especially adept for this role in central positions. In his absence, however, Yeremy Pino fits a very different profile, preferring to occupy wider spaces and is significantly weaker in 50-50 duels due to his smaller frame.
Brennan Johnson, who has played on the right for Strand Larsen’s last two starts, presents a similar issue. The Welsh international is a natural winger, and is still learning how to play as an inside “10” in Glasner’s system. Between Johnson and Pino, Strand Larsen is finding himself more isolated – and his style of play is simply not as well-suited to this environment as Mateta’s.
With six Premier League games and at least a European semi-final to go, there is still time for Strand Larsen to demonstrate that he is Palace’s best striker. However, until Guessand returns from injury, Mateta will likely continue to start the Eagles’ most important games.
The Best Back Three in England
19-year-old Jaydee Canvot sparkled yet again, overwhelmingly winning Palace’s Player of the Match award with 66.9% of the vote. The French under-21 international kept West Ham’s best player – Jarrod Bowen – entirely silent, and contributed well to attacks with his accurate passing and occasional drives forward.
He was not alone in his defensive excellence, however. Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards held the fort with aplomb, offering experience and aerial prowess – where Canvot is still learning his trade.
The trio of Canvot, Lacroix and Richards are the best back three in English football. Palace have conceded the third-least goals in the Premier League this season – the best record of a team fielding three centre-backs.
Dean Henderson also deserves credit. He has stepped up remarkably well as captain after the sale of Marc Guehi midway through the season. And, although he had a quiet night, his excellent reaction save on the stroke of half-time to deny Konstantinos Mavropanos kept the game from becoming problematic for Palace.
Glasner likes to say that his side’s recent domestic triumphs were built on a foundation of good defence. Only time will tell if that foundation can lead the Eagles to a first European trophy.
