Have Palace had as dominant as a performance as Saturday's in the Premier League? We don't think so, and neither does Mark Gardiner. 

Just as against Villa today’s game was one which will judge whether we can continue our improvement. From one perspective then this was a disappointing match as nothing can be drawn from a West Brom side that was sent out with such a defensive outlook (where we ever that unambitious under Pulis) and managed to put in a performance that should see the relegation danger bells ringing. They were awful. In contrast Palace played exceptionally well, even allowing for the paucity of opposition, and even more impressive kept their patience as the half-chances mounted without a goal being scored. The weak point in our play was at first the final ball, with the wingers either making the wrong choices, or their crosses not finding men in the box. When we did sort out the crossing towards the end of the first half, and throughout the second, there was often a lack of numbers in the box. Then there was the feeling that we just lacked that real cutting edge up front despite all our dominance of the ball & territory. Finally we managed to put it all together and administered as thorough & chastening a 2-0 beating to Albion as could be imagined. For once a rare game where we had most of the ball saw us convert that superiority into a result.

Pardew made two changes from the side that started at Watford, showing his ruthless side by leaving out Ledley for McArthur after Joe’s steely display, and making the more understandable choice of Zaha over Sako on the right. West Brom lined up in a rigid 4-1-4-1 but their choice of full backs was interesting: Dawson, a not untypical Pulis selection of a central defender at full back, on the right and midfielder Brunt on the left – the latter would not have a happy day at Selhurst. Palace started a little slowly and although the passing was decent there was a lack of snap in the play at first, with some careless play at the back that thankfully Albion lacked the wit to exploit. Wilf was perhaps symptomatic of the first little spell, looking happy when the ball was played into his feet, but not looking interested at making runs off the ball; he wasn’t alone in the first 10 minutes. Despite that Wilf still managed to create a couple of openings by bamboozling Brunt, but really sprang to life after a little spell of handbags behind the referee’s back. From that point on he was always the main threat and tormented Brunt as well as rearranging the defender’s nasal profile (completely by accident, of course!).

Sadly Bolasie, who we anticipated making mincemeat of crowd favourite Dawson, wasn’t quite on the game in the first half, and despite a couple of half-hit efforts straight at Myhill he often made the wrong choice. Fortunately midfield was caught in an iron grip with McArthur doing the simple tasks exceptionally well, Cabaye running the game as we’d dreamed he might, and Puncheon was providing some excellent passes. Most of out attacks were down the flanks, with Gayle getting little change out of Evans & McAuley, and although Palace kept the ball well, not afraid to work the ball across the back four or even back to Hennessey, a lot of our best chances came from early balls played either inside the full backs or over the top for our swift attacking trio to take advantage of. Yet chances were few – I can only recall a couple of decent saves from Myhill, from a Cabaye shot from distance that went straight at him, and from Zaha’s shot from a tight angle. West Brom did suffer the loss of Evans, and although sub Chester is a player I admire it did seem to unsettle their back four with both full backs under some pressure. But Berahino might as well have pushed off to White Hart Lane already so invisible he was, while Rondón looked to be carrying a little extra weight but was so isolated I don’t think he touched the ball in our box. Compare & contrast the performances of both sides’ record signings.

There was a little disquiet at half time – how many times have Palace bossed a match but failed to make advantage count and then been caught with a sucker punch? Well, at least West Brom managed a shot on target in the second half but Hennessy got down smartly at his near post for a routine save. Apart from that it was waiting to see if Palace could unpick Albion’s defensive cover. The best option still looked to be Zaha down the right, although increasingly Bolasie & Souaré down the left were starting to unravel West Brom’s opposite flank. (Not sure if Albion switched Dawson as the numbers of West Brom’s admirable proper kit were pretty much unreadable.) The ball was switched around with some excellent passing moves but again chances were few, and sadly Gayle while not playing poorly just didn’t seem able to gain a sight of goal.

It looked like we would have to change the team, and Sako was stripped at the fourth official’s side when Souaré earned a corner. Strangely we didn’t make the change then, and it was perhaps just as well, for after the first delivery was cleared, Puncheon’s fine through ball found Cabaye, and his cross was measured for Bolasie to head home from close range at the far post. Yannick had seemed the most likely player to be withdrawn for Sako and his first goal at Selhurst for about three ice ages was most welcome and deserved. Palace’s control of midfield wasn’t even threatened when McArthur twice went down with either knee trouble or cramp. Campbell replaced Gayle and despite some heavy touches the attack did seem to be more cohesive with his more athletic style, and it was Fraizer who played in Wilf on the right who drew the tackle from Brunt just inside the box that could only produce one outcome: Cabaye’s penalty finish was cool and deadly. Wilf, who had just earned a yellow card for retaliation, was withdrawn for Ledley but it was Hennessey, making a good save from McManaman’s shot from a tight angle, who saw the last meaningful action before the curtain fell.

Hennessey - 6 – Very little to do but did it well. Looked comfortable with the ball at his feet – sometimes too comfortable as he was nearly closed down a couple of times – and his long kicks had great distance & mostly decent direction.

Kelly – 6 – Solid at the back, did help Wilf in attack down the right, but like all the defenders had little actual defensive work to do.

Souaré – 7 – His value as an auxiliary left winger is growing, with his speed a real asset as well as his ability to cross, both early & late. Defensively it looked like he’d adopted a policy of: “When in doubt, put it out” which isn’t attractive but is often effective.

Hangeland – 6 – Simple day policing Rondón, low mark only reflects the easy game the defence had with few tackles of challenges required.

Dann – 6 – As for Hangeland; not sure Roy Hodgson learned a great deal from this game, although West Brom could be a decent stand-in for San Marino on an off day.

McArthur – 7 – James doesn’t seem to have outstandingly brilliant games, only delivering consistent displays so that when he has a dip in form it’s barely noticeable. Today he played the deeper role and shielded the defence well, picking up a lot of loose balls and also not afraid to burst forward occasionally. To be honest he’d be more obviously excellent if it wasn’t for the man alongside...

Cabaye – 8 – The sort of performance we’d hoped Yohan would be able to deliver. Surprised by the amount of defensive work he has done this season this was the first game where he really put his creative mark on the match, playing a little further up the pitch. Didn’t let his defensive duties lapse either. One of the most perfect midfield performances I’ve seen from a Palace midfielder, certainly in the top flight. The quality of his cross which was dug out over a short distance for the first goal was understated, while his penalty was a lesson in simplicity.

Puncheon – 7 – Excellent game in a creative role, given the platform by Cabaye & McArthur. Started with a great ball inside Brunt to set Zaha free and continued in that role, while still putting his foot in occasionally. Nice through ball to find Cabaye in build-up for the first goal.

Zaha – 8 – Thought although he had a couple of early runs it wasn’t until he & Brunt crossed swords that he seemed to bring a greater focus to his game. He made chances for himself and others in the first half and continued in that vein in the second, finally drawing the obligatory foul in the box. Only down side was his handbags with Brunt, when he seemed to put his hand in the defender’s face unnoticed by the officials, and his retaliation when victim of a poor tackle by Yacob when a fussier or less observant referee might have sent him off. Difficult I know as I’d be thumping Yacob as well (more likely running away...) Will not be on the Brunts’ Christmas card list this year.

Bolasie – 7 – Underwhelming first half when I was looking forward to that nice young Mister Dawson being ripped apart technically and mentally (& how sad it wasn’t Craig’s nose that was introduced to Wilf’s elbow!) but perhaps we can put that lack of attention down to his father’s funeral earlier this week. Certainly seemed more switched on after the interval, helped by Souaré’s willingness to support his attacks, and they are developing into quite a good partnership. Think he was about to be withdrawn when he found space at the far post and his header was brave given he knew he’d be thumped by the keeper.

Gayle – 6 – Didn’t play poorly but wasn’t quite on the same wavelength as the rest of the attack, never quite being in the right place when a cross came in, or being ignored by the wingers when he was. Summed up when he didn’t anticipate Zaha’s great little through ball.

Campbell – 6 – Despite his first touch being a foul I thought the attack did look aligned much better when Fraizer arrived. Gayle is obviously the more talented but Campbell integrates better and offered a more physical threat. Had one run where his lack of a left foot was made painfully obvious, but also supplied the pass to set Zaha free to win the penalty.

Ledley – n/a – Last minute substitute for Zaha.

Hard fought wins are sometimes the best, and Palace's 1-0 win over Watford is one of those. Mark Gardiner reviews the action for us.

Having spent the weekend rehashing old battles, it was appropriate that the Vicarage Road Re-enactment Society staged a re-run of that old perennial favourite, the Championship Play-Off Final of 2013. It has to be said that both teams got the colours more or less right, and the amount of coordination required to commit a foul on the same player as at Wembley in near-enough the right spot on the pitch brings credit to all involved. Of course, the penalty was smashed home with the same panache of KP. You can’t beat the old favourites!

The Palace team news brought ripples of apprehension to the away terrace. Dann was back to replace the stricken Delaney – no problem there – but McArthur & Zaha dropped to the bench to be replaced by Ledley and hat-trick hero / clown vanquisher Gayle, while Hennessey, who had not had any real opportunity to prove himself in two League Cup ties, replaced Alex McCarthy in goal. The bench hinted at a slight injury crisis with youngsters Gray & Croll joining the usual suspects. For the first half at least Bolasie played on the left, while at first Puncheon was on the right, but he kept switching inside with Sako. Ledley sat a little deeper allowing Cabaye to play a little further up the pitch, and in turn the Sako / Puncheon role was shifted a little more towards Gayle. It allowed a little more flexibility in attack and did give Gayle more support.

The first half was interesting with both teams keen to play on the counter at pace, yet it produced very few chances. Bolasie had nearly run through the entire Watford team from the kick-off only to finish with a shot so wildly off-target I’m sure the throw-in was taken further back than he shot from! After that Palace’s best efforts came from two Cabaye free kicks on the left side, one somehow being scrapped off the line (my Sky source in Lancashire assures me it was a Gomes save from a Hangeland header) and another zipping straight across the face of goal without finding an attacking touch. On the attack Cabaye & Gayle earned a lot of rough treatment but referee Taylor adopted a softly-softly approach. In attack Watford also looked to use the flanks, in part because Ledley & Cabaye protected the middle so well, while Dann was organising the defence and Hangeland was just superb. Souaré had some problems down the left, but the real issue looked to be on the right where Anya (their right back) cruised past on the outside several times. However I can only recall one Deeney header well wide but otherwise Hennessey remained essentially untroubled, until stoppage time when a dangerous free kick ion the edge of our box was deflected over by the wall.

Second half started as the first ended with another Watford free kick on the edge of our box. This time Jurado beat the wall & Hennessey; luckily the ball struck the underside of the bar & bounced out. Wayne soon had to make a good if not difficult save from Abdi and from a corner the ball bounced all around our box without finding a Hornet. Yet Palace were coming more into the game, as Sako, who had remained anonymous for much of the first half, but at the interval switched to the left with Bolasie on the right, began to  win the off physical tussle with Nyom. Palace had used plenty of balls over the top for the speedy front three (occasionally four with Puncheon) in the first half but too many were over hit; the success ratio was far better and in one swift break Gayle was once again hacked down; Sako’s free kick wasn’t venomous but was partially blocked by the wall and had to be shovelled past the post by the keeper. As the game stretched Puncheon became more of a creative force; Sako worked in from the left and his cross was met at the far post by Gayle who struck the post – it was a good chance and the finish just wasn’t good enough.

That was Sako’s last real contribution and he was replaced by Zaha, who with the help of Souaré made several incursions down our left. When our left back once again played Wilf in on the left edge of the box d Nyom, who had got away with several holding offences, was lured into a fatal lunge; obviously not watched the DVD of that Play-Off. Surprisingly it was Cabaye who emulated the immortal Kevin Phillips by smashing the ball high to a despairing keeper’s left. The scorer soon departed for McArthur, Pardew perhaps influenced by a booking as Mr. Taylor started to scatter yellow cards all over the place; perhaps someone had reminded him of them. Gayle nearly grabbed a second, Wilf’s cross & Bolasie’s far post header back setting him up, but the finish was knocked just wide, while Puncheon’s free kick was straight at Gomes. Gayle again was just off-target when set up by Puncheon, and that was his last kick as Campbell came on. Watford huffed and puffed: Wilf took a booking for the team with a foul after conceding possession, but that symptomatic of how hard he and the other attacking players worked hard back in defence. Watford barely saw Hennessey’s goal let alone having a direct shot – one block by Ledley was stunningly beautiful in its own way. At the end Palace were probably deserving of the win.

Hennessey – 6 – Had little to do; there was one good save offset by losing an easy through ball that gave us kittens, although not as many as when in the shoot-in he’d let one ball go through all of him into the net. Moments of miscommunication with his defenders but deserves a run of games to prove his mettle.

Kelly – 5 – The one player whose performance gave cause for concern he really struggled, especially when Anya was on an overlap. His passing at times was shoddy and he put at least one straightforward header straight to an opponent.

Souaré – 7 – Had a little trouble in the first half when Watford occasionally overloaded the left; I’m a little troubled by his positioning when the opposition has a spare man over, as Pape seems to prefer staying in the box awaiting events instead of being closer on his man. It may prevent the ball inside him, but it also gives the attacker precious micro-seconds when they receive the ball before they can be closed down. On the other hand, I haven’t seen a better attacking left-back since Ashley Cole’s loan spell, and before that Kenny Sansom, and Pape played a part in the move that won the penalty.

Dann – 7 – Defence looked so much more organised with Scott at the back; Deeney and Ighalo were barely a factor in the match.

Hangeland – 8 – Apart from finding Mr. Taylor being conned on a regular basis by Deeney making a back, Brede was outstanding at the back, and left out those coronary-inducing decisions to dribble around their centre forward inside our box! Impressive in the air and with the timing of his tackles. Denied a goal by Gomes at close range.

Ledley – 7 – Fine first League start of the season by Joe who helped shield the defence from Abdi & Watson. The odd pass & header did go astray but won a lot of ball and allowed Cabaye a little more freedom.

Cabaye – 7 – Excellent first half when he was the creative force in Palace’s attacks, and two free kicks should have set up goals. Not so prominent in the second until deciding it was his turn for the KP impression. Picked up a booking – ironic considering how often he was kicked in the first half – and substituted soon after.

Sako – 6 – Started in the hole but that didn’t quite work; switched to the right and was a little better, but didn’t really show until just before half-time. Switched to the left he started the second half impressively, setting up a chance Gayle should have put home and then seeing his free kick saved untidily. Given that improvement it was a surprise he was soon replaced by Zaha.

Bolasie – 7 – As is his wont Yannick flickered at times, summed up in the first 10 seconds when his sublime run was followed by the ridiculous finish. Worked well with Souaré down the left and frightened Nyom with his pace. Switched to the right second half where he wasn’t quite as effective – maybe the lack of full-back support? – but nearly set up a goal for Gayle and a late shot dipped just too late.

Puncheon – 7 – Grew more into the game after switching from right flank to the position as support striker, certainly in the second half he played a lot closer to Gayle than usual. His touch & vision in the second half sparked several attacks from the wing or Gayle.

Gayle- 7 – Performance deserved a goal but his finishing was slightly off, the best chance hitting woodwork when he should really have scored. Took some harsh treatment from the defenders but was always troubling them with his pace.

Zaha – 7 – Posed a different form of threat to Nyom that Sako and it paid dividends. Equally impressive was his tracking back and challenges.

McArthur – 6 – Good defensive work in midfield.

Campbell – 6 – Late sub who had a couple of touches.

A four goal hammering of our noisy neighbours Charlton proved once again that South London is ours. Mark Gardiner looks at the performance.

Well, it was on paper the thrashing I’d demanded, and there is no doubt Palace confirmed the gulf in class between the Premier League & Championship, but for a while the Addicks had us a little worried, and some friendly officiating gave the clowns a fig leaf to cover their embarrassment. Our second-string attack never looked less than dangerous against what I am led to believe was a weakened opposition and it was nice to sit back and wait for the next chance to appear.

Pardew fielded a very unusual 4-4-2 formation – it will never catch on! Hennessey in goal; Kelly & Souaré at full back; Delaney & Mariappa central defence; Ledley & McArthur in central midfield; Zaha on the right & Chung-yong Lee the right; and Gayle and Campbell up front. This XI showed the strength in depth of Premier League squads these days, and then you looked at the bench – Speroni, Hangeland, Cabaye, Sako, Puncheon, Bolasie & Bamford. Not an apprentice or YTS lad among them. This also showed that Pardew was serious about his ambitions in the cups this year.

The first half was entertaining but frustrating to a degree. Charlton just didn’t look dangerous – I can recall one shot straight at Hennessey. Instead Palace displayed pace and passing that we used to be routinely on the end of. The midfield was undeniably ours and there were regular incursions down the flanks. Problem was that we still lacked a cutting edge up front and too often looked to walk the ball into the net. The chances mounted, the best coming early when an excellent cross from Lee found an unmarked Campbell eight yards out, only for his header to come off the top of his head & over the bar. That was Lee’s best moment in the first half as apart from that he was very disappointing, regularly losing the ball. In contrast Zaha was having a good game, putting in several dangerous crosses but neither Gayle nor Campbell could quite make contact. After bedazzling his full back Wilf did find Campbell close in, but Fraizer’s snap shot was deflected just over, while Gayle finally took a shot from the edge of the box to see the ball flash just wide. The only disconcerting moment of the half was the loss of Delaney to injury, replaced by Hangeland.

Second half started much the same as the first – Palace well on top but still yet to imprint their superiority on the scoreboard. Lee dragged a shot well wide then Zaha put in another fine cross only for Campbell, unmarked in the middle of the goalmouth, to glance his header well wide. We were still cursing when Zaha again tore the Addicks’ left flank apart and Campbell, admittedly at the second attempt, turned on the ball and finished from 12 yards out. That did seem to put some fire in Charlton’s belly and there was almost an immediate response, Bergdich cutting in on our right and his shot from a tight angle striking Hennessey’s knees. It was an isolated moment of concern: Gayle headed in a corner only for it to be ruled out (no idea why), then set up Campbell whose turn in the box ended with him on the ground and a penalty awarded – it looked a soft decision but Dwight smashed the ball home.

At 2-0 we were gleefully taunting the away fans, but the football gods didn’t like that. Bamford had come on for Campbell when Charlton won a corner, despite the ball going out off Bergdich’s enormous arse, and from that the giant Sarr had a free header from about 6 yards that simply burst through Hennessey’s hands. They were to have another couple of headed chances in the short period of worry that followed, but one from Sarr was easier for Wayne to deal with while Ahearne-Grant’s effort missed the target. So up stepped Mr. Swarbrick to award a second penalty for a foul on Gayle; it had more justification than the first but still didn’t look clear-cut (they never do at the Holmesdale Road end from 100+ yards away); ironically it came seconds after the ref had ruled out a Charlton appeal for a player trying to squeeze through a gap that wasn’t there. It helped that Diarra was given a straight red card, then Gayle coolly sent Pope the wrong way.

With that the game was over as Palace’s use of the ball and pace against a tiring, undermanned opposition was the equivalent of smearing them in jam and pegging them out on an anthill. The ball flashed across their area on a regular basis and the chances piled up. On a quick break Gayle passed up the chance of a hat-trick to set up Bamford, whose shot had placement but not enough force and was well saved by Pope, but Dwight didn’t have to wait long for this third, his header from another corner made me believe it had to be one of our towering attackers. Cabaye (what a resource to have coming off the bench) finished the night with a shot that hit the bar (perhaps with a touch from the keeper) and Gayle’s header from the rebound being saved by Pope. By the end the noisome visitors had crept home in sullen disappointment, their team deservedly crushed.

Hennessey – 6 – Very little to do. The goal looked bad but the header was at such close range & with such power that I don’t think he had a chance to do more than start raising his hands. It was very similar to West Ham’s third at home last year when the ball burst through Speroni’s hands. If you are lucky it strikes just enough flesh for the ball to be diverted up.

Kelly – 7 – Defensively was caught out once by Bergdich, but apart from that was relatively untroubled. Played a good role supporting the attack, linking up well with Zaha.

Souaré – 8 – If not for Dwight’s hat-trick Pape would have been man of the match. An excellent display of mostly attacking play, strong & fast running and some accurate crosses.

Delaney – 6 – Nothing to do until he sunk to his knees in the centre circle.

Mariappa – 6 – Quiet night, used the ball well.

McArthur – 7 – Along with Ledley he bossed the middle of the park. Wish he would occasionally pull the trigger from the edge of the box.

Ledley – 7 – Pretty much barred Charlton’s route through the middle and used the ball well.

Lee – 5 – Apart from one pin-point cross in the first half it was an underwhelming first-half display, his use of the ball was poor and he was often dispossessed. Improved in the second half and when Charlton were exhausted and down to 10 men he looked quite good.

Zaha – 7 – Made plenty of chances down the right and his crosses were generally fine, often driven low, and really should have been met by Campbell or Gayle on a more regular basis. Worked hard too, closing down defenders, and his decision making was good.

Campbell – 6 – Decent first half let down by inability to take chances. Slightly better in the second when an awful miss was followed with a goal that even then looked laboured. Like Wilf & Dwight worked hard in closing down the defence.

Gayle – 8 – Hat-trick and could perhaps have had five or six with a disallowed effort and those saved or just wide. Looked dangerous when running at the defence but did win some headers in build-up play.

Hangeland – 5 – Completely lost Sarr for their goal and was quickly beaten by him soon after for another chance.

Bamford – 6 – Busy but never quite clicked; not sure if the effort saved by Pope was a fine save or a mediocre finish. Like most he looked good in the last 15 minutes.

Cabaye – 7 – Bringing Yohan off the bench was rubbing Charlton’s nose in the dirt, nearly capped with a fine shot from distance that thumped the bar.