Crystal Palace player ratings after 1-0 win over Southampton – Influential attacker and goalkeeper score highly

Crystal Palace recorded their fourth win and first home clean sheet of the 2022-23 Premier League season after a 1-0 win over Southampton. 

Odsonne Edouard scored the only goal for the Eagles.

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

VICENTE GUAITA – 9 

While Odsonne Edouard got the winner, once again, Patrick Vieira and the Crystal Palace players were indebted to Vicente Guaita.

The Spanish goalkeeper was by far Palace’s best player in the second half, making four crucial saves to stop Southampton from finding their equaliser.

The pick of the bunch was after he stood up for long enough to deny Che Adams’ shot from just inside the area, Guaita got down well to deny Stuart Armstrong down low to his left. He also stopped Adams again with 13 minutes of normal time remaining.

Guaita also made one punch in the 92nd minute to clear the danger in the dying moments of the game.

JOEL WARD – 8

The 33-year-old ventured forward numerous times in the first half and played a handful of really incisive passes through the Southampton midfield. 

When his natural defensive instincts were required in the second half, Ward made 10 clearances – the most of any player on the pitch.

JOACHIM ANDERSEN – 8

The Danish centre-back made a telling contribution in securing the first clean sheet at home. 

Former Fulham man Andersen won six aerial battles – the most of any Palace player – and made seven clearances.

MARC GUEHI – 7 

Another solid performance from the one Palace player who looks destined to make Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2022 World Cup.

After the ease with which Dominic Calvert-Lewin brushed past him to score Everton’s opener last week, it was important that Guehi bounced back with an assured display.

The 22-year-old had the best pass percentage [82] of any Palace player who started the game. 

He also made a huge tackle in the 88th minute to stop Southampton from breaking into the penalty area.

TYRICK MITCHELL – 8

Arguably the Palace academy graduate’s best performance of the season. Along with Ward, he also made bursting runs forward and exploited the criminal amount of space Southampton’s midfield afforded the Eagles.

His onrushing run beyond Wilfried Zaha and cross along the face of goal for Edouard to score the opener was intelligent.

Mitchell also dealt with Southampton’s second-half threat, nullifying Mohamed Elyounoussi and substitute Samuel Edozie.

LUKA MILIVOJEVIC – 8

The Palace captain could have shown Patrick Vieira he could become a regular starter in this side with his performance against the Saints.

With Milivojevic holding ahead of the back four, Cheick Doucoure just ahead, and Eberechi Eze or Michael Olise as the creative spark, Palace could have found the balanced midfield they have been searching for.

He completed 100 per cent of his tackles [four], made four clearances and also won two interceptions.

JEFFREY SCHLUPP – 6

Was nowhere near a bad performance from Schlupp at all, but he turned over possession five times and was dispossessed once.

He also committed the most number of fouls [three] of any Crystal Palace player.

EBERECHI EZE – 7

It could have been a six for Eze, but his influence and role in Palace’s first-half attacking swagger has seen him get a seven.

Had a difficult time of it in the second half once Southampton changed shape and played a handful of passes back to the opposition before Vieira took him off in the 63rd minute for Jordan Ayew.

If anything, it was a compliment to Eze’s first-half performance that Ralph Hasenhuttl brought on Ainsley Maitland-Niles to do a man-marking job on him.

WILFRIED ZAHA – 7

Had a good battle with Lycano and showed determination to win the ball back from the defender for Palace’s opener. 

Was rather quiet in the second half, but along with Eze, Olise and Edouard, the quartet all played key roles in producing a scintillating first-half performance.

MICHAEL OLISE – 8

Although Arsene Wenger was right about the young French prodigy needing to find the back of the net more, it’s the only thing missing from his game at the moment.

He is quickly becoming one of Palace’s most influential players in possession and has the creative flash of brilliance to create in split-second moments.

He had the most touches [73] and passes [51] of any Palace player. He also recorded four defensive clearances and only lost possession once. Had the most dribbles [six] of any player in red and blue, too. Influential. 

ODSONNNE EDOUARD – 7

Once again, the Frenchman led the line really well and scored his third goal from his last six appearances.

He’s the clear first choice at the moment and is growing into the role game by game.

SUBS 

JORDAN AYEW – 6 

Helped see out the clean sheet. Should have shown better decision-making when he burst into the penalty area and was in two minds about whether to shoot or pass to the waiting Wilfried Zaha.

WILL HUGHES – 6

Only 15 minutes on the pitch for the former Watford man, but displayed a powerful run forward and smart forward passing. 

JAIRO RIEDEWALD – NA

Only played four minutes.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD