Crystal Palace dropped more points in a game where they could have won, with Wilfried Zaha starring on his return.
Crystal Palace will rue their luck in their draw to Brentford. After taking a second-half lead against the Bees through a Wilfried Zaha strike, Patrick Vieira’s side could not hold on to secure three points against Thomas Frank’s men.
Overall, Brentford were the more threatening side in the clash, as they tested the Crystal Palace defence repeatedly. Vieira’s men were reduced to taking their chance through counter-attacking opportunities but did not make the best due to some sloppy play in the build-up.
However, Wilfried Zaha broke the deadlock midway through the second half with a brilliant curling finish into the top corner. The goal was particularly monumental considering the transfer speculation surrounding the attacker, who collected a simple ball from Cheick Doucoure and curled it beyond David Raya’s reach.
Fulham had plenty of chances to take the lead before that Zaha strike. The 29-year-old missed a brilliant opportunity, while Jeffrey Schlupp squandered it when presented with the ball inside the box.
Crystal Palace & Brentford have drawn all three Premier League games against each other.
The points are shared once again between the Bees and the Eagles. ? pic.twitter.com/Vlzfy8qOuz
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 30, 2022
Despite not having much of the ball, Crystal Palace will rue those missed chances, as Brentford took theirs when presented with one. Yoane Wissa was left unmarked inside the box as he met with a pinpoint cross to equalise. Brentford had another chance late but could not take advantage, but Frank will be the happier manager on the field. Here’s how the Crystal Palace stars fared in their draw with Brentford at Selhurst Park.
Vicente Guaita: 6/10
Guaita did not have much to do in the first period despite Brentford enjoying possession. He was alert whenever called into action, particularly in the second period, while denying Rico Henry a possible winner late in the game.
Nathaniel Clyne: 6/10
Clyne struggled to deal with Henry’s pace on the flanks but managed to keep the threat posed by Keane Lewis-Potter under control. Clyne did not offer much in the forward zones, which somewhat limited his role in the team.
Marc Guehi: 7/10
The Crystal Palace skipper had a composed game for most parts, thwarting the threat posed by Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney up front. However, like his partners at the back, he was guilty of allowing Wissa so much space as the forward headed the equaliser.
Joachim Andersen: 6/10
Going by the standards Andersen has set this season, this was not his best performance. He was aggressive, making few notable contributions, including a good block on an effort by Mbeumo. Otherwise, he lacked his usual aura at the back and was equally culpable for the lapse in concentration in letting in the equaliser.
Joel Ward: 5.5/10
Mbeumo got luck on Ward’s side, as the attacker seemingly got the better of the veteran Crystal Palace defender for most parts. He was also targeted repeatedly with long balls, but he dealt with the danger quite well.
Cheick Doucoure: 8/10
Cheick Doucoure's game by numbers vs Brentford:
85% pass accuracy
57 passes completed
18 passes in the final third
8 possessions won
7 duels won
2 chances created (=most)
1 assistThe Malian is settling in well. ? pic.twitter.com/PdojC6sXHN
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 30, 2022
Doucoure enjoyed his best game since signing for Crystal Palace. The Malian midfielder had reasonable control of his area and was constantly involved in proceedings, considering he restricted Brentford to the bare minimum when they had the ball.
Jeffrey Schlupp: 5/10
Schlupp was not at his influential best, as he was caught out a few times with the ball. He also missed a brilliant opportunity to put Crystal Palace ahead, something he might rue for the way the game ended.
Eberechi Eze: 6.5/10
Eze had decent chances and aimed one shot straight at Raya, where he should have done better. Incidentally, he started the game in a false nine role but eventually drifted to his usual role in behind.
Michael Olise: 7/10
Michael Olise’s game by numbers vs. Brentford:
100% tackles won
80% pass accuracy
62 touches
5/7 ground duels won
4 crosses
3 long balls
3/4 dribbles completed
1 key passesElectric. ⚡ pic.twitter.com/ZLNHlwoUNE
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 30, 2022
Olise looked lively in his role on the right wing, as Vieira decided to include him in place of the otherwise effective Jordan Ayew. He will have been left disappointed by a brilliant effort hitting the post, but this was a good outing from the start for the wide man.
Jean-Philippe Mateta: 5/10
Mateta seemingly struggled with an unfamiliar role, and when he eventually went about leading the line, the striker was hardly fed with any notable chances to make his mark.
Wilfried Zaha: 7/10
As transfer speculation remains rife about Zaha, the Ivory Coast international made everyone forget about it as he produced a superb goal to put Crystal Palace ahead. In the end, he might have been disappointed with his team to have let the equaliser, but it will be curious to see if he features for the team at the weekend.
Most Premier League goals scored in 2022:
▪️ 17 – Harry Kane
▪️ 15 – Son Heung-min
▪️ 13 – Wilfried Zaha?The Eagle has Landed. ? pic.twitter.com/J8tIgoKswo
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) August 30, 2022
SUBSTITUTES
Odsonne Edouard: 5/10
Vieira brought on Edouard in place of the ineffective Mateta early in the second period, but the striker did not prove effective. However, his introduction did allow Zaha to move more centrally, as he took up a position on the left-hand side.
Luka Milivojevic: 6/10
Milivojevic was set on to add more security in midfield as Crystal Palace looked to protect their slender lead. He could not prevent the late equaliser.
Jordan Ayew: 6/10
Vieira felt keeping the ball in possession was the utmost priority, which is why he surprisingly introduced Ayew in place of Eze. The Ghanaian forward did a decent job after coming on.
Trick Mitchell: N/A
The left-back was not fit enough to start but got the last ten minutes. This was also when Brentford found space to score the equaliser, as Wissa caught Mitchell out at the back post before the forward nodded home the equaliser.
