Four takeaways from Crystal Palace’s 2-2 friendly draw with Charlton Athletic

In Patrick Vieira’s Selhurst Park debut, his much-changed Crystal Palace side drew 2-2 with local South London rivals Charlton Athletic.

While the Frenchman has yet to field his first-choice starting line-up, the warm-up to the new campaign has proved an exciting one so far.

The Eagles opened the scoring through Jesurun Rak-Sakyi but were pegged back thanks to Jayden Stockley’s tap in from close range midway through the first half.

Scott Banks restored Palace’s lead in the 75th minute. However, it was short-lived, and Josh Davison levelled for the visitors four minutes later.

Here are four takeaways from the match:

GUEHI’S HOME DEBUT

Starting in a back three next to James Tomkins and Martin Kelly, Marc Guehi’s first outing at Selhurst Park was a positive display.

The defender looked composed on the ball, and he wasn’t afraid to marshall the experienced defensive line of Tomkins and Kelly when having to clear any danger away from the area.

While he is not yet harmoniously at ease in the Palace defence, Guehi recovered well to deny Jayden Stockley a guaranteed equaliser in the first half.

A FLURRY OF YOUNGSTERS

The appointment of Saïd Aïgoun, who was hailed for bringing through talents such as Kingsley Coman, Presnel Kimpembe and Christopher Nkunku at Paris Saint Germain, highlights the direction the Eagles are moving towards. And the starting line-up this evening only serves as a snapshot of the new era of Crystal Palace.

The development coach eagerly watched Shaun Derry run through training drills with Jack Wells-Morrison, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Scott Banks in the warm-up. While during the match, Aigoun chose to preside over the exciting youngsters from the bench, allowing Vieira to dish out instructions.

The fledgling Eagles once again looked suited to the system and flourished in the low pressurised environment of this evening’s friendly – Wells-Morrison and Rak-Sakyi both standing out in the first half.

Malachi Boateng and Scott Banks came alive in the second half. Boateng, who was playing in the midfield next to the experienced Cheikhou Kouyate, began to dictate the play and appeared confident when trying to push Vieira’s side up the pitch in search of their second.

As for Banks, after a handful of shots from distance that sailed over the bar, the Scottish forward got his rewards in the 75th minute with a well-taken strike inside the area.

RIEDEWALD AT LEFT WING-BACK

The option of flicking between formations could serve as a valuable tool for Vieira heading into his inaugural season in charge of Palace – and having a versatile player such as Jairo Reidewald could prove integral.

The Dutchman, who did start the game as a left-back, would push forward when in position and control the play from the halfway line.

While Tyrick Mitchell appears to be the first choice left-back heading into the season, having a player of Reidewald’s ilk could pay dividends in the future.

THE PRESS

While the Palace press last season consisted of Christian Benteke running himself into the ground in an attempt to chase down any possible loose ball, the Vieira press saw all members of the front three endeavour forward to force the opposition into a mistake.

Palace’s opener came from the relentless pressing of Rak-Sakyi, who closed down goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray to tap home from close range.

Palace’s second also came via their high-intensity press.

Street latched on to a misplaced pass from the Charlton defence and played a clever one-two with Jean-Philippe Mateta. Banks, who had driven into the box, then emphatically fired past MacGillivray to reinstate Palace’s lead.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD