Adam Sells’ four takeaways from Crystal Palace’s 2-1 defeat at Luton – Lack of attacking options biting hard and Doucoure’s injury is a huge blow

Crystal Palace suffered a 2-1 defeat at Luton Town on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts went ahead via Teden Mengi, but a wonder goal from Michael Olise brought the Eagles level.

However, a late goal from substitute Jacob Brown gave Rob Edwards’ side all three points.

Here are Adam Sells’ takeaways from Kenilworth Road: 

SAME AGAIN AS PALACE FALL TO DEFEAT

The best team doesn’t always win – just the team that scores the most goals.

For the second game in succession, Palace were better in every metric aside of the one that matters.

Roy Hodgson was magnanimous in defeat, with his counterpart Rob Edwards recognising his side’s good fortune in the press room post-match at Kenilworth Road.

Palace should never have been beaten. Though the final ball was often missing, there were more than enough chances. Some heroic goalkeeping from Luton keeper Thomas Kaminski, profligacy in front of goal, moments of defensive indecision and some horrible luck, meant that the Eagles returned to SE25 pointless.

There is little doubt the loss of Eberechi Eze and Cheick Doucoure soon after had a big effect on the outcome.

The home side had the scent in their nostrils and though at times low on quality, one has to credit their physical, intense approach, which yielded a couple of mistakes from the visitors.

DOUCOURE LOSS A HUGE BLOW

The loss of Cheick Doucoure is a huge blow.

Palace, who for the most part of the season had been mean defensively, prior to conceding five goals against Luton and Everton. Those five goals have been given up whilst the Mali international has not been on the field in just over 120 minutes.

He and Jefferson Lerma, when fit, have provided an excellent platform and have been a big part in Palace gleaning points, especially given the lack of choices and injuries at the top end of the pitch, meaning goals have been hard to come by.

With the defensive midfielder likely to be missing for most of the season following a ruptured Achilles tendon, Doucoure’s absence is going to be of great concern, particularly if the trend of losing goals continues whilst being able to call upon him. 

LACK OF ATTACKING OPTIONS BITING HARD

For the first time this season, Palace were able to start the afore mentioned Eze and Michael Olise together. and there was certainly a far greater attacking threat.

The Eagles have only managed to have more attempts on target this term against Wolves – but they need more.

Eze is injured again, and the lack of players within the group who can go past an opponent in the final third is a big concern and perhaps the biggest reason that they are finding it hard to win matches.

Youngsters Matheus Franca and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi are the others who are capable but need more time to develop. Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp have been used but are both more effective in other roles.

Wilfried Zaha’s influence was always going to be missed, but with no real replacement, more pace and trickery needs to be added to the group desperately.

The more players at any coach’s disposal that can provide a moment of individual brilliance, the more chance there is of winning football matches.

This is not a lack of intent or coaching issue – this is about squad building and in a 25-man squad. 

Ideally, the club need six players who are capable of doing that if they are operating with a 4-2-3-1 system in the main.

Two further wide players should be on Dougie Freedman’s shopping list in January. This would add much-needed depth and allow time for the young prospects to be eased into Premier League action.

OLISE’S BACK

It was great news for everybody connected with the club that Michael Olise could make his first start. He didn’t disappoint, scoring what will undoubtedly be one of the goals of the season.

Palace are privileged to be able to call upon such a prodigious talent. The French Under U21 star has the lot. Pace, trickery, balance and tremendous quality when shooting or delivering the ball.

Aside from his goal, there was the brilliant pass that sent Odsonne Edouard for the goal that would be chalked off for handball, and Olise was so unlucky with a header near the end.

Both Olise and Eze can light up games with moments of absolute magic, and the latter was forced off with an ankle injury. Olise’s second-half strike demonstrated what Hodgson had been missing for the past three months.

Palace are going to need a fit and vibrant Michael Olise for moments of inspiration if they are going to climb the table in the coming weeks.