Four takeaways from Palace’s 1-1 draw at Brentford – Eze shows his quality as Frank subs deny Eagles yet again

Vitaly Janelt’s goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time denied Crystal Palace victory at Brentford yesterday.

Here are Adam Sells’ takeaways from the Premier League match.

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

Palace can’t buy a win right now. Patrick Vieira probably couldn’t get three points for speeding on his journey home.

Although the Palace boss was understandably disappointed, few present could argue that a point each wasn’t the right outcome.

Last week his team were extremely fortunate to earn a point at home to Brighton, this week the boot was very much on the other foot.

The visitors were unable to hang on as Vitaly Janelt headed home a 96th-minute equaliser, just when the form book seemed about to go out of the window.

The result leaves Thomas Franks’ Bees unbeaten in 11 Premier League matches, with Palace only recording one victory in the past 10,  or 12 in all competitions.

HOW DID IT HAPPEN

As the saying goes ‘three mistakes lead to a goal.’

Palace looked all set but failed to see the game out with a series of errors. Jordan Ayew, who had put in a huge shift, gave the ball away cheaply as his team counter-attacked. Bryan Mbeumo had the freedom of the G Tech Stadium to deliver a cross from the left and Janelt was left unmarked to forcefully head home.

Palace had lost left-back Tyrick Mitchell 14 minutes earlier through injury and the returning Joachim Andersen had been down with cramp – it seemed that tiredness may have played a part.

MARK ‘X’ ON YOUR COUPON

This was the fourth Premier League meetings between the London rivals, all of which have ended all square. Last season both finished goalless, this time around both have two 1-1 draws.

There was a feeling of deja vu as Frank’s five substitutions, just as in the previous encounter at Selhurst Park back in August, pegged back Palace late on. The Dane has done an incredible job at the west London club – his change of shape and personnel did the trick again, even if he had to wait until the last kick, sorry…‘head’ of the game.

EZE MAKES HIS MARK

Eberechi Eze came on in the 62nd minute and his influence on the game was almost immediate.

The stylish attacking midfielder was deployed on the left and his silky first touch and ability to glide past defenders was evident.

Within six minutes he used his head both physically, and metaphorically, in order to nod home the impressive Michael Olise’s inswinging cross.

Palace’s struggle for points and goals means that these two, without doubt to of the Eagles’ brightest offensive players must be included in the starting line-up.

The talk of a dip in form may be fair, but it’s not as if the likes of Ayew, Jean-Philippe Mateta, who won just one aerial duel all afternoon, and Odsonne Edouard are all hitting peak levels of performance right now.

The age-old argument of clever substitution or incorrect selection rages on.