Gary Cahill has proven his critics wrong after excelling following Crystal Palace move

BY ROB SUTHERLAND

Gary Cahill captained Crystal Palace for the first time in the 2-1 victory over West Ham, putting in another impressive performance in a defensive pairing with Martin Kelly.

Having spent much of last season on Chelsea’s substitutes bench, his return to regular action has gone some way to proving his  critics wrong who claimed he was not  up to Premier League standard anymore.

“If people think like that then just let them talk,” he said.

“The most important thing for me is to try to do the talking on the pitch. I’m proud of the condition I got myself in to come back.”

Cahill took time to determine his next destination following his departure from Chelsea, but it wasn’t time wasted.

“I was a long time out in the summer, I looked after myself and came back in good shape and a good condition. If anything I rested my body up, and came back in a good place.”

“I’m in good form and good shape and there’s many years left in me yet.”

The former England international was delighted with his side’s performance against West Ham.

“We dug in at times when we had to. We had some decent spells in the game and it was a fantastic result. Against a team that’s doing very well.

“Both sides came in good confidence and in decent form, so to get this win away from home just before the national break was a big win for us.”