Four takeaways from Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win at Sheffield United – A solid platform but further attacking options needed

Crystal Palace picked up a 1-0 win at Sheffield United in their opening Premier League outing of the 2023-24 campaign.

Here are Adam Sells’ four takeaways from Bramall Lane:

A SOLID PLATFORM

Three points away from home against a newly promoted team made the trip back to South London a happy one for Roy Hodgson’s men.

In truth, his team were rarely troubled at Bramall Lane, with Sheffield United restricted to just one very weak attempt on Sam Johnstone’s goal.

The Blades were never able to cut through the victors’ back line, and sporadic forays were impressively dealt with by the defensive midfield duo of Cheick Doucoure and debutant Jefferson Lerma who was described post-match by his manager as “outstanding”.

Hodgson said the Colombian “was everywhere,” and that was a straightforward and extremely accurate assessment.

A MISSED CHANCE TO TOP THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Palace dominated the encounter for long periods. However, without a combination of profligate finishing, good goalkeeping and the assistant referee’s flag, the Eagles could and should have sat at the top of England’s top-flight for a second time in their history.

The last and only coming back on the 29th of September, 1979, and today, the visitors’ margin of victory should have been far more comfortable.

Twenty-four attempts at goal, with eight on target and two-thirds of the possession, underlined Palace’s superiority.

STEP ‘FORWARD’ JORDAN AYEW AND ODSONNE EDOUARD

Having lost the mercurial Wilfried Zaha this summer, after nine consecutive seasons in the Premier League, Palace will also have to contend without Michael Olise and newest recruit Matheus Franca until September. 

Though reinforcements are urgently required, both Jordan Ayew and Odsonne Edouard put their best foot forward in South Yorkshire.

Palace’s attacking play was clever, quick and incisive, and the underrated pair were right at the heart of it. 

Ayew had a goal ruled out in the first half, having been marginally offside, as did Edouard in the second period.

The goal came about after an exceptional piece of wing play by Ayew, with Edouard enjoying the kind of service that strikers thrive on.

TIME TO BUILD

Palace are moving into a new era, post-Wilfried Zaha and it will be an interesting couple of weeks in terms of their activity in the transfer market.

As demonstrated in Sheffield, the foundation of the squad is excellent, but there is much work to do at the top end of the pitch.

Two additional wide players and another striker are essential if Palace are to push on.

Ideally, Palace would have eight attacking players within the 25-man squad. Two or three further ball carriers would add balance to the squad.

It’s hard to see how it can even be a consideration to allow Jesurun Rak-Sakyi out on loan when there are only five senior attacking players in the squad and two are injured currently.

Hodgson emphasised the need to add to the squad again after the match and the Palace boss deserves to be dealt a reasonable hand if the club is to push on this campaign.