Patrick Vieira said he was "pleased with the character that we showed today", and why wouldn't he be. Given the difference in the two teams ' goalscoring records, many considered Crystal Palace heavy underdogs going into the match. A fan of the "game of two halves" cliché, Conor Gallagher, inspired two comebacks to take a point from East London. Here are Alex Pewter's quick takeaways.
Conor Gallagher has Arrived
The inside of the post may have denied Conor Gallagher his dream debut against Brentford, but it would have taken something special to have stopped him today. Patrick Vieira has repeatedly spoken of needing more players in the box to add to the attacking threat, and for both goals, Gallagher found his way into the West Ham area. Gallagher wasn't given either chance on a plate. His ability to create an angle, particularly for the second, showed composure beyond his years. There is a chance he is already pricing himself out of any permanent move to Selhurst Park, but regardless he will be an enjoyable player to watch this season.
When Gallagher signed, much of the apparent fit for Vieira's midfield would be the stamina he would bring when pressing and trying to break up the opposition's play, as well as anything he brought in possession. Vieira utilised Gallagher's energy as he closed players in the middle of the pitch at twice the rate of anyone else. With new signing Will Hughes ready to join Gallagher and McArthur in midfield, they'll have even more back-up to their efforts.
Vieira's Possession Game
Palace has been accustomed to allowing the opposition to dominate possession against them as they enacted their "low-block" defence. The match against West Ham began to show some promising signs that Vieira's possession game is starting to blossom. Taking 54% of the ball possession from the London Stadium is a different approach to an away fixture of the past.
Joachim Andersen will want the one moment back in the game, as Michail Antonio capitalised on a hesitant header to put West Ham 2-1 ahead. Andersen may need to step up his aerial game in future contests, but his passing game is already integral to the game plan.
Under Roy Hodgson, last season, Palace's 7.6 switched passes per game was bottom of the league (a pass that travels 40+ yards across the width of the pitch). Andersen's signing was to rectify those shortcomings, turning the central defenders into creative outlets. Against West Ham, Andersen hit four switched passes on his own, but his overall completion percentages from range continue to impress. His 31/32 from medium range (15-30 yards) and 14/19 from long range (30+ yards) show his accuracy.
Marc Guéhi is clearly on his level, but both full-backs will need to continue to adjust to this new setup. A completed cross-field pass from Andersen or Guéhi will look lovely in the highlights and post-game statistics, but it will only have been in vain unless it is immediately re-worked. Will Hughes' inclusion will undoubtedly add an extra outlet in midfield, but James McArthur continues to re-circulate the ball with ease.
The xG Battle
Source: https://understat.com/match/An exciting match, with some end-to-end action, both teams would probably be happy with the draw, despite Palace edging the XG battle. West Ham won the stat-line for the most shots and those on target, but Palace was clinical in their finishing. Gallagher shifted the ball away from his defender on both occasions to maximise his opportunities before calmly slotting both away. The second goal, in particular, with an agile turn leaving Craig Dawson flat-footed, was masterful.
For West Ham, Michail Antonio is clearly in the form of his life. His cut-back gave Pablo Fornals a clear-cut chance on goal, but his finish showed his true ability. Capitalising on Andersen's defensive error, Antonio crashed home with his left foot from a tight angle. Guaita may have been disappointed in the aftermath, but looking back, you have to appreciate one of the form players in the division.
Marc Guéhi's stoppage-time header from a Gallagher free-kick ended up being the best chance for either side, albeit on paper. It would have been a stolen victory, but a win off the back of a complete second-half turnaround.
Next Up: Deadline Day and an International Break
Given the limited time Patrick Vieira has had with his squad, an extended break will be a welcome chance to work on his strategy going into the next part of the season. Many players will be away on international duties, but for those still at Copers Cope, such as Will Hughes, Vieira will have extra time to plan for the upcoming fixtures.
Deadline day is looming, and despite the success of the signings to date, there are still more attacking options needed. The headlines will focus on the striker, with Borja Mayoral, Eddie Nketiah and Odsonne Édouard the speculated options. The secondary focus will be out wide, and even though Michael Olise should be nearing full training, more options will help back up or push the current starters.