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Quick Takeaways: Crystal Palace 3-0 Norwich City

Written by Alex Pewter
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With more accuracy than a football.london tweet and more sense than a Premier League fixture decision, FYP's Quick Takeaways are back... because no one wanted to read about that Tottenham game:

Edouard Leicester Standing

 

Palace Deliver First-Half Knockout

 

Like a Richard Riakporhe title fight, Crystal Palace delivered a TKO wrapping up the win by the halftime whistle. 

There is a whole debate over whether this game should have gone ahead at all. However, under zero-duress from their Sports Broadcasting partners, the Premier League chose to go ahead with this game and the Spurs match on Boxing Day.

It is slightly suspect that Conor Gallagher, rumoured to have had a positive test before the Tottenham game, would play against them, only to get a positive test in the next round of testing. That said, Norwich, with a very eclectic lineup, clearly had the larger disadvantage playing this fixture. 

If the Selhurst crowd was looking for a controlled performance from kick-off, the opening minutes was anything but that. Quick turnovers gave Norwich plenty of possession deep in Palace territory to keep the defence of their toes. 

A loose Norwich tackle on Will Hughes turned the game on its head shortly after, delivering Palace a penalty. Odsonne Édouard kept his composure from the spot, giving Palace the opening goal in front of the Whitehorse Lane end. 

Mateta's goal from a 30 second counter from a Jacob Sørensen mishit shot, followed by a thunderous Jeffrey Schlupp shot from a tight angle, killed the contest.

Norwich hasn't had many highs this season, aside from Bill Gilmour's 39°C temperature against Aston Villa, so this was a fixture Palace needed to win. They delivered quickly, moving the points tally onto 23 points from the first half of games.


Will Hughes Appreciation Section

 

Odsonne Édouard turns 24 in January, Will Hughes 27 in April. It would seem Palace have landed two players that will be vital parts of the squad for seasons to come as they reach their peak years.

This match needed a McArthur-like assured performance in midfield, and Will Hughes delivered. It wasn't the most fluid statistical passing performance from any midfielder, as the defence had more success picking out the forward runs of Édouard and Ayew with long passes.

Yet, in the centre of the pitch, operating as both the "number 6" in possession and the "number 8" out of it, Will Hughes ended the game with six tackles and interceptions and 23 pressures in his 72-minute outing, tieing Mitchell's consistent defensive efforts over the full 90. 

Having signed without much fanfare, followed by the mini-mystery surrounding his delayed debut, Hughes has proven to be another shrewd acquisition from Dougie Freedman & Co. 

 

Mateta's Farewell Selhurst Debut? 

 

Jean-Philippe Mateta has somehow only been at Crystal Palace for under a year. Underutilised by Roy Hodgson, it is fair to say Mateta didn't deliver on the initial expectations that came from a near 1-in-2 goalscorer from the Bundesliga.

Despite the lack of minutes, playing only the equivalent of 2.5 games in 2020-21, his skilful backheeled finish against Brighton was a goal-of-the-season contender. 

It is fair to say Mateta hasn't delivered on the initial hype or expectations that came from a near 1-in-2 goalscorer from the Bundesliga. Still, when a player only has four shots in his appearances, one of which went in, it is hard to draw any firm conclusions.

The renaissance of Christian Benteke and the signing of Odsonne Édouard has only pushed Mateta further down the pecking order. The talk of his loan-deal being ended early in January seems likely, ending what must be a frustrating time for the striker. 

As an Omicron-induced returnee to the team, his runout against Tottenham was part of an uneventful second half where both teams cruised to a result that was settled in the opening 45 minutes. Norwich would be a genuine chance for him to shine in his full debut at home, alongside Édouard and Ayew in a front three.

Mateta made the most of his first real chance in a frantic first half. A counter-attack following a scuffed Jacob Sørensen effort, Odsonne Édouard was released down the left, cutting the ball back to Mateta, who calmly passed the ball into the bottom corner past Angus Gunn. 

 

This game was Édouard's day to shine in attack, but Mateta did what was required as the target man to help facilitate that, winning aerial battles in attack, protecting the near-post from defensive corners. 

His number flashed up on the fourth official's board with ten minutes remaining. Receiving a standing ovation from the crowd as he returned to the dugout, if this does end up being one of his last appearances, it was a home debut to remember.  

 

The xG Battle

 

xg palace norwich

This week, it is an open and shut case on the xG front for Palace. The penalty, worth 0.76xG, clearly tips the balance in the home team's favour, but they created enough decent chances to take the three points, which is reflected in the shot map.

Norwich did an excellent job blocking many of the chances that fell in the area, but two quality finishes from Mateta and Schlupp had enough quality to get past Gunn.

The net might need some repairs after that Schlupp thunderb*stard.

Defensively, despite showing plenty of nerves (see - that Guaita drop), Norwich wasn't gifted any high-quality chances. For this week, the fans were allowed to rest easy.

 

Next Up: West Ham (H)

 

The relentless winter schedule rolls on into the new year as West Ham visits Selhurst Park. 

Despite a couple of recent losses, David Moyes' team has been having another exceptional season chasing the Champions League places in 5th. 

Joachim Andersen's late injury departure against Norwich will be cause concern if it was anything more than precautionary. Otherwise, given the covid cases littering the Premier League at the moment, it will be difficult to predict who will be available on either side.