Palace defender delivers verdict after goalless draw with Everton

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Joachim Andersen described Crystal Palace’s goalless draw with Everton on Saturday as ‘boring’ – but was pleased to pick up a point closer to Premier League safety.

The result meant that the Eagles are unbeaten in the four games played since Roy Hodgson replaced Patrick Vieira last month.

Palace moved onto 37 points, and nine points clear the bottom three.

“To be honest, it was a little bit of a boring game for the people. I don’t think there was a lot of chances, but that’s how it is sometimes,” said the Danish international centre back said to the South London Press.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game as Everton are fighting for their lives. It’s not easy to play against this type of football [but] we dealt with it quite well. You need to dig in in these games – try to fight and win second balls. We did alright, but it was not our best game.”

The stalemate came after three successive wins, which have seen Hodgson’s side rack up nine goals and conceding just two, beating Southampton away last time out 2-0.

Combined with the 0-0 draw on Saturday, that means the Palace defence have had back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season.

“That’s, of course, a good feeling,” said the 26-year-old. “To get a clean sheet is always nice. We’re getting points nice and steady at the moment. Today we didn’t create as much as we wanted, but a point is always good.

“Both are top keepers,” added Andersen on Vicente Guaita and Sam Johnstone. “I played a lot of games with Vicente and now a few games with Sam, where he did really, really well. It is not my decision about who’s playing, but I feel secure whoever’s playing.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD