Experience tells as Crystal Palace suffer EFL Cup exit – with Patrick Vieira opting not to risk five of his first-teamers at Newcastle United

BY ADAM SELLS

Crystal Palace suffered the agony of an EFL Cup exit on penalty kicks after a resolute 90 minutes had earned the Eagles a second clean sheet at St James’ Park this season.

It was a painful end after manager Patrick Vieira, already without five of his squad through injury, opted to leave a further five key first-team players in South London ahead of tomorrow’s trip to bottom placed Nottingham Forest.

It was a decision that possibly accounted for Palace’s exit. Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze, Joachim Andersen, Cheick Doucoure and Vicente Guaita were all absent from the teamsheet, with the Palace boss making six changes from the side that was victorious at West Ham’s London Stadium on Sunday.

With Palace now on 19 points and in the top half of the Premier League – plus a long break ahead with the shutdown to coincide with the World Cup – it may have been the moment to go all out for two matches.

Vieira opted to fill the visitors’ bench with young and inexperienced talent, only Jairo Riedewald and Malcolm Ebiowei have appeared for Palace in the Premier League. The game ended with the same two players representing the only changes made by the Palace coach.

Eddie Howe also rotated his Newcastle side, making eight changes from Sunday’s victory at Southampton but named a bench packed with top-quality players. The fact that the Newcastle boss was able to call on the cavalry to lift a subdued performance and ensure that his team’s spot-kicks were all taken by seasoned Premier League players, may have just tipped the scales.

A look around the ties played on Wednesday evening saw most follow Howe’s example and there was very much a feeling of what might have been for the travelling band of Palace fans who braved the midweek round trip of more than 600 miles.

As the two teams prepared for the shoot-out, the scores from around the grounds flashed up on the giant screen at the Leazes End – with three of the big six crashing out. The night’s winners may well now see the competition as the most reasonable opportunity to win silverware this season.

Despite the outcome there were plusses for Vieira. Palace put in a controlled first-half performance and the manager’s instructions could be heard echoing around the stadium – despite the sell-out crowd, as the home side were surprisingly subdued.

Sam Johnstone in the Palace goal was barely tested in the opening 45 minutes but had to be alert twice in the second half to deny both Chris Wood and Miguel Almiron. The goalkeeper’s distribution was also a highlight, particularly from his hands.

In front of Johnstone, James Tomkins was imperious with his timing and reading of situations a standout feature.

Nathaniel Clyne also turned in an excellent display and such was the former England full-back’s domination, the lively Allan Saint-Maximin barely threatened.

With Luka Milivojevic and Will Hughes anchoring midfield, Palace were rarely undone but really struggled to make an impact at the top end of pitch.

Nick Pope was forced into a sharp save after 22 minutes from Jean-Philippe Mateta, who started brightly but too often both he and Jordan Ayew flattered to deceive, with both fading badly after half-time.

Howe introduced the big guns in the final half hour, including Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier and Almiron – Vieira responded by sending on Ebiowei and Reidewald. The Dutch defensive midfielder was deployed on the left side of a midfield four and with it, his team’s attacking intent diminished further as the best Palace could do was hold out for penalties.

When the shoot-out began, the lack of experienced forward players to take them was a concern. Milivojevic’s kick brought a superb save from Pope. Mateta’s languid style and weak kick was easily read by the England international.

Johnstone saved superbly from Sven Botman for Palace and Guimaraes blew his big moment after an extravagant run-up.

Pope’s save from teenager Ebiowei’s tame kick was the final telling moment.

It proving not only there is no substitute for experience but on this night there was also, perhaps, not enough substitutes with experience.

STAR MAN
Nathaniel Clyne. Faultless.

BEST MOMENT
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s drilled strike that forced Pope into a top save.