Crystal Palace 1 – 2 Watford

Review by William George Eldridge

Two sides built on unsuccessful form collaborated to make a feisty affair at Selhurst Park. The previous two fixtures between the sides resulted in two 1-0 victories for Palace, both with a Wilf Zaha penalty win. The odds of this repeating were in the minds of both sets of supporters, both who shared a blisteringly exhilarating day at Wembley Stadium a few years previous.

But today saw two sides who were lacking in points of late come together to try and regroup and find some form that would stop the rot.

The first half begun and it was shaping up to be a real scrappy affair, replicating a Championship match rather than Premiership quality. Watford found more of the ball and their possession and movement aided in the first goal. Strong pressure from Mile Jedinak brought Troy Deeney to the ground, and the penalty was given. Deeney stepped up, and smashed the ball home. The half continued, with Crystal Palace struggling to maintain any sort of fluidity that has been lacking of late. That’s why, it came as a shock when just before half time, they drew level. A cross into the box introduced a classy bit of movement from new man Emmanuel Adebayor who looped a header past Gomes and into the top corner.

Half time, 1-1. Watford had the better of the play, so Pardew’s men needed some wise words and uplifting to change the tide of the game. Taking Connor Wickham off and playing Lee Chung-yong allowed more pace and width to the Palace formation.

The second half began and you could see the difference in Crystal Palace immediately. More direct, better movement, and more assured pressure on the opposition when without possession. Endless attacks through Zaha were creating endless trouble for Watford, Zaha proving he deserved his recent POTM award. But, despite Palace’s resurgence, Watford were still in the game and thus, with 7 minutes to go, got the deciding goal to secure the match.

Former Palace man Ben Watson crossed into the box, and the ball found Troy Deeney, who calmly dispatched the ball into the back of the net to elation from the visitors, and frustrations from the home support.

Unfortunaley for Crystal Palace, that wasn’t the worst of the action. A rash challenge from Papa Soure resulted in the left back receiving a red card, leaving the Palace man suspended for 3 matches.

The final whistle blew, Watford stopped the rot against Palace and in the league, whilst Crystal Palace were still searching for a resurgence under Pardew, dangerously dropping lower every week.

Up next for Crystal Palace, an F.A Cup away trip to title challengers Tottenham Hotspur.

Source: casino.com