Can’t ever remember being so pleased and encouraged after a defeat. We were far better than against Norwich and I’d say it was actually one of our best performances of the season.
Ten thoughts:
1. Edouard is a dazzling talent. I’m not sure he is properly appreciated.
2. We have never felt as Wilf-proof as we do now. I still adore the guy but we can cope without him.
3. Ayew has been in incredible form lately and was superb today. Seeing him go off in tears was tough to witness. Is his Afcon dream ruined?
4. Andersen passed it like Hoddle tonight. What a player.
5. Mitchell looks tired. We lack cover at LB and that’s the only bit of Jan business we need to do.
6. Can we go a bit easier on the refs? He should have booked their left back earlier and bottled the backpass but the abuse was excessive.
7. Olise is so exciting. The way he cuts inside and delivers killer balls is great. Just what we never got from Andros.
8. We all love Joel Ward but let’s be honest - he just doesn’t offer enough going forward. We desperately need Ferguson to be the player we hope he is.
9. Luka was not as bad as everyone is saying but we miss Kouyate every time he doesn’t play.
10. Schlupp is not good enough to play for Palace.

Not having this assessment of Schlupp. I messaged my mates saying he was the best player on the pitch, everything went through him. He’s a terrific athlete who is powerful and direct and offers something none of our other midfielders do. His style Gallagher and Hughes for a place in the starting 11 but he’s a superb option to have in the bench.

Tend to agree. What I like is that he seems physically incapable of going in any direction other than forwards - and at speed.

Precisely.

Analysing the goals we conceded against W.Ham, I appreciate that the commentators mentioned that it was an exquisite cross for the Antonio goal but is it only me who has concluded that Guehi could have done better ? He was facing the ball in front of Antonio yet the W.Ham player was able to get a touch and steer it home.

With regard to Lanzini's goal, the defence was so deep when Rice collected the ball,and he was able to advance in acres of space unchallenged before passing to his teammate who also ran through with not a Palace player tracking him.
I don't think that Andersen covered himself in glory when he approached Lanzini who easily beat him as Andersen was heading for the old stand ! In actual fact there were other players near Lanzini and he was able to flick the ball up and get in a shot which of course was not blocked and resulted in the goal.
Indeed skilful from Lanzini but poor from a Palace perspective all round.

It was a great cross for the first goal, Ward unfortunately not close enough to Benrhama to make it even more difficult. Speedy wingers like Leeds away and he cannot deal with them now but still gives his all in other areas which is commendable. In defence of Guehi Antonio is as strong as an ox and looked like he just lost the battle to the ball. As said second goal was way too easy in build up and execution on our part but was a good strike all the same.

Great to see us come out fighting and attacking in the 2nd half and not try to contain. Not sure if it was true that Gallagher was being rested as he had a brilliant 2nd half away to them earlier in the season. He could of conjured up something again and taken a breather in the FA Cup. Overall a good performance from us, only lacking in the result and another pointer the team are going in the right direction. COYP !!