Player ratings from Crystal Palace’s 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion – Attacker picks up a four with defence scoring highly

A mistake from Robert Sanchez allowed Crystal Palace to pick up a point in their 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Here are Edmund Brack’s player ratings from Selhurst Park:

VICENTE GUAITA – 7 

The Spanish shot-stopper was arguably Palace’s best player throughout the 90 minutes. The only thing that could stop Brighton’s intricate passages of play during the first half was the 36-year-old keeper.

Guaita made a handful of really important stops, denying Alexis Mac Allister and Kaoru Mitoma from giving the visitors the lead.

He kept Palace in the game and was forced into action a total of six times. The ex-Valencia keeper also completed one punch.

NATHANIEL CLYNE – 6 

The Palace academy graduate did well to keep Mitoma – one of the most in-form players in the Premier League at the minute – quiet. 

Was defensively assured and helped keep Palace in the game, with Brighton passing around the midfield with sheer ease.

The 31-year-old made two blocks, completed three clearances and did not commit a single foul.

JAMES TOMKINS – 6

Considering James Tomkins only found out in the morning that he was in the starting line-up, the 33-year-old turned out to be Palace’s point-winner on the day.

Completed his first full 90 minutes of the season, but defensively, at the start, he was caught out and drawn into awkward positions by Brighton’s passing.

Tomkins – along with his centre-back partner Marc Guehi – was danced around by Pascal Gross for Pervis Estupinan’s goal, which was ruled out for offside.

Reacted really well to pounce on Robert Sanchez’s mistake to earn Palace a point.

MARC GUEHI – 6

Another solid performance from the 22-year-old. Bar Estupinan’s goal, which was chalked off, the ex-Chelsea defender formed a solid base with Tomkins.

Guehi won two tackles, made two interceptions, completed five clearances and made two blocks.

Without Joachim Andersen, Guehi has been forced to change centre-back partner twice in recent outings, but he has stayed dependable throughout.

TYRICK MITCHELL – 5

Tyrick Mitchell had a tricky afternoon against Solly March, who was arguably the best player on the pitch on Saturday.

The ex-Palace academy youngster March, who left the Eagles as a 13-year-old, attempted eight dribbles and did not lose possession once.

Mitchell has looked like the defender who broke into the first team and ended Patrick van Aanholt’s Crystal Palace career in recent weeks after returning from his red card against Fulham.

However, March escaped the 23-year-old’s grasp in the 63rd minute and met Estupinan’s cross at the back post to open the scoring.

WILL HUGHES – 6

Hughes was dribbled past two times during the first half, with Brighton moving the ball around the midfield without having to break into a sweat, but his overall performance showed grit and determination.

The ex-Watford man won 100 per cent of his six tackles and made four interceptions.

Patrick Vieira will be hoping that Hughes, who has cemented his place in the side in recent weeks, is not too severely injured after having to come off in the 54th minute.

CHEICK DOUCOURE – 5

A difficult afternoon for the Mali international in his first taste of this game.

Doucoure was dribbled past twice and only completed two tackles. The ex-Lens midfielder also gave away three fouls.

JEFFREY SCHLUPP – 4

After his goal away at Manchester United last week, Schlupp failed to impact the game against Brighton from a wide position.

Starting on the left-hand side of a 4-4-2, the Ghaninan had the fewest touches, 15, and passes, seven, of any Palace player who started the game at Selhurst Park.

When you have the attacking talent of Eberechi Eze or Odsonne Edouard on the bench, playing Schlupp out wide seems a waste of an attacking position.

He also only completed one block and failed to help Mitchell contain March.

MICHAEL OLISE – 5 

The ex-Reading creative spark was unable to really impact the game from open play.

His free-kick did lead to Robert Sanchez dropping the ball and Tomkins heading home to earn Palace a point.

Played two key passes, but lost possession five times and only completed two of his five dribbles.

JORDAN AYEW – 6

Along with Guaita, Ayew was a contender for man of the match.

He pressed from the front and carved out two opportunities for Jean-Philippe Mateta, who saw his efforts in the first half blocked by Adam Webster.

Ayew won the same number of aerial draws as 6ft 2 Jean-Philippe Mateta [one], but the ex-Swansea man also failed to complete a single dribble.

With Patrick Vieira unable to pinpoint his best attacker at the moment, Ayew’s efforts to chase down defenders and bring others into play could help unlock more from Olise and Eze.

JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA – 4 

Although Meteta has a presence up front, which could have worked against Brighton’s towering Lewis Dunk and Webster, the Frenchman was unable to keep the ball in the opposition’s final third and bring others into play.

He lost possession three times and had the worst pass percentage – 55 – of any Palace player who started the game.

Mateta also only won 20 per cent of his aerial battles.

SUBS:

ALBERT SAMBI LONKONGA – 5 

Allowed Doucoure to push further forward and sat just in front of the back four.

Made a crunching tackle, which he received a yellow card for. 

Could now have a chance to impact the starting 11 after Hughes’ injury.

ODSONNE EDOUARD – 4

Failed to impact the game during his 19 minutes on the pitch.

EBERECHI EZE – 4

He only made two passes during his 19 minutes, which is not good enough for a creative player.

Naouirou Ahamada – NA 

Not long enough on the pitch to give a fair score. 

Made a nice exchange of passes and drove towards goal.

Looks raw, but there is a player there.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD