Right from the start, they were determined to squeeze as many "soft" free kicks around the penalty area as they could. Just like West Ham and Newcastle earlier in the season, they knew it was their best chance of setting up chances, and the referees have been too weak to call them out.They did a very good job fouling our players in transition (also getting away with it) and then winning free kicks around our box at every opportunity. It really made the game choppy and frustrating.
We all need to remind ourselves, no matter how disappointed we were with the result, Hodgson is no fool. Place are a decent side getting forward and will turn decent teams over this season at home. Palace move the ball quick and get forward with width. They always seem to have speed and play hard, a bit calamitous at times with their enthusiasm to get the ball back and that were oppisistion players shy away from. They can be physical. If Benteke was better player they may have won yesterday.
Crosses and headers-theres always an element of luck- where it lands and where it goes. Kanes mastery of controlling the header is second to none. Palace rely on average (in the mix) and allow luck to play fortune-theres no skill in it. The ball came over many players and Lloris was caught undecided. Clever or luck on Places part? I feel an element of luck and poor keeping.What i dont understand is why we tend to concede so much from free kicks.. our players dont seem to be attacking the cross.
I'm not a tactician.. but can someone explain to be why we keep such a high line then rush back towards goal and try and head it out.. seems counter intuitive shouldnt the goalie claim those?
The problem with scoring early and sitting back against Palace is they put decent quality in from wide areas and set pieces, and have good aerial ability. Unlike the goons who just played into Jose’s hands.
But if we can score from a couple of quick breaks that should on balance be enough. Eze showed good movement last week so will need to be watched, in addition to Zaha of course.
1-1
Coys