Four takeaways from Palace’s 2-0 win at Bournemouth – set-piece homework pays off as Ayew impresses in central attacking spot

Crystal Palace signed off 2022 with a 2-0 win at AFC Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve.

Here are Adam Sells’ takeaways from the Premier League match.

VITAL VICTORY

This was a huge win for Palace.

After dismal displays against both Nottingham Forest and Fulham, a third consecutive defeat to a promoted team would have really had the alarm bells ringing.

With a very difficult first quarter of 2023 in prospect, where almost every fixture sees the Eagles pitched against a top-10 team, it really put the onus on Patrick Vieira’s men to deliver.

The victory was never in doubt after Jordan Ayew’s opener, as the visitors rarely looked in any trouble.

IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS

Palace boss Vieira opted play Jordan Ayew as his number nine, Eberechi Eze as his 10, with Michael Olise and Wilfried Zaha at seven and 11, respectively.

The players were all employed in the positions their numbers suggested – and it showed.

The fluid attacking play during the first half, was sharp and incisive, a huge contrast to the previous two games.

Ayew playing in his favoured centre-forward position and linked play. His hard work and ability to secure the ball allowed Eze, Olise and Zaha to thrive.

The lone striker role may well suit the Ghanaian’s qualities best. Ayew was very effective there during Roy Hodgson’s reign and his successor may now look to give him a run there during the upcoming games.

SET-PLAY SUCCESS

Given Palace’s excellent first half, perhaps the only surprise was both their goals came from corners.

Vieira was quick to praise goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely, who is responsible for set-plays, in his post-match press conference.

Kiely’s clever analysis of the home side and how Palace may have been able to exploit them from restarts was key in the visitors leaving with the three points.

Olise’s quick thinking and pinpoint delivery provided Ayew a simple headed finish for the first, with Eze superbly sweeping home the second after the corner was set back.

Much as Vieira was pleased, his opposite number Gary O’Neil was understandably frustrated by his team’s lamentable defending.

DEFENSIVE STABILITY

This was only Palace’s fourth clean sheet of the season. This was their third away from Selhurst Park in eight fixtures, which is a reasonable ratio versus the disappointing single home shutout against Southampton.

The intensity shown by the front players was evident here, typified by substitutes Jean-Philippe Mateta and Odsonne Edouard, who both won possession in the attacking third during their late cameos.

At the back Joachim Andersen was aerially dominant against Kieffer Moore and Dominic Solanke, as Palace restricted Bournemouth to just two attempts on target.

When Vicente Guaita was tested, the Spanish keeper handled the wet and slippery ball impeccably.