Four takeaways from Crystal Palace’s EFL Cup exit – Mateta fails to take his chance

An 89th-minute goal from Ashley Fletcher knocked Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace out of the second round of the EFL Cup.

Despite dominating possession, chances and passes, the Eagles lacked the cutting edge to see off a rotated Watford side.

Patrick Vieira made four changes from the team that drew 0-0 with Brentford on Saturday with Jack Butland, Jean-Philippe Mateta, James Tomkins and Jordan Ayew replacing Christian Benteke, James McArthur, Tyrick Mitchell and Vicente Guaita.

Here are Edmund Brack’s four takeaways from the match:

MATETA’S INTENT IMPROVED BUT LACKED THE CUTTING EDGE

The Frenchman found minutes hard to come by under Roy Hodgson, and with Vieira keeping faith in Benteke up front as the lone striker, Jean-Phillipe Mateta was handed a chance this evening to leave an impressionable stamp on the side.

The 24-year-old had three glorious opportunities to open the scoring in the first half at Vicarage Road but lacked the conviction to give Palace the early lead.

After doing well to rob the ball off William Troost-Ekong inside the area, Mateta’s resulting effort from a tight angle was comfortably saved by Ben Foster.

Mateta continued to exploit Watford’s much-changed defence, however, again, he lacked the finishing touch to put away one of his chances. The forward missed two headers, one from point-blank range and one that went straight at Foster, to keep the Hornets’ clean sheet intact.

GUEHI & ANDERSEN’S FLOURISHING PARTNERSHIP

Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi both boast an extensive passing range that would have been welcomed with open arms in Palace’s midfield of recent years, with the defensive duo acting as the catalysts to bring the Eagles up the pitch.

The transition to a possession-based side has been made considerably easier by the familiarity with which Andersen and Guehi have on the ball.

Recording 126 passes between them in the first half, less than 50 more than the entire Watford team combined, the duo are the foundation and base of Patrick Vieira’s rebuild.

A BETTER FIRST-HALF SHOWING OF VIEIRA’S STYLE OF PLAY 

While the start to Premier League life under the French World Cup winner has been relatively subdued, due to the nature of Palace’s start against Chelsea and Brentford in the top-flight, this evening’s performance demonstrated a cleared style of Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace.

With Watford choosing to sit deep to hit the visitors on the break, Vieira’s side had the majority of the ball and looked to carve out their own opportunities against a stubborn Watford side.

Having the lion’s share of possession, chances and passes, Palace dominated Watford in the first half, with just the finishing touch missing.

THE FRINGE PLAYERS

In James Tomkins’ first start under Vieira, in an unnatural right-back position, the 32-year-old did well to contend with the raw pace of Cucho Hernandez whilst also showing that he can adapt to the Frenchman’s style of play.

Joel Ward channelled his inner Tony Pulis playing days to show his ease at featuring at left-back, making the most clearances of any Palace player this evening.

As for Jack Butland, he made an excellent save to thwart Watford in the second half and could do nothing to prevent Ashley Fletcher from opening the scoring in the 89th minute.