Odsonne Edouard produces vibrant attacking display as Crystal Palace support cast step into the Premier League spotlight

BY EDMUND BRACK

Monday’s match against Norwich City was the perfect chance for Crystal Palace’s fringe players to show Patrick Vieira and his coaching staff that they deserve a spot in the first team.

Bringing back Marc Guehi and Vicente Guaita to the starting line up didn’t kick up a selection headache, but handing Jeffrey Schlupp and Jean-Philippe Mateta the opportunity to be the creative spark and attacking focal point respectively, added an air of uncertainty to the 90 minutes.

While Schlupp, who has had considerably more game time than Mateta in recent weeks, started the game the brighter of the two – down to his darting runs and ball-carrying expertise – the French forward grew into the game.

Confidence is a massive part of any striker’s game and when Mateta booted the corner flag situated between the Main Stand and the Whitehorse Lane end after scoring in the 38th minute, you could sense the pent-up relief he released in his swing and kick.

Mateta looked sluggish in his first half an hour on the Selhurst Park pitch since the 3-1 win over Watford in pre-season.

The 24-year-old, on an 18-month loan from Mainz, took his goal well – smartly finishing Edouard’s cross – but he was still rusty and looked shattered come the 60th minute.

Edouard, largely deployed down the left on Tuesday, showed what’s needed from a top-flight forward – displaying smart movement, opening up his body for a pass and constantly looking to bring others into play.

While it’s easy to caveat that the Eagles were up against a Norwich side bottom of the table and hamstrung by Covid-19 and injuries, the summer signing from Celtic bullied Norwich’s back four.

Many worried where Palace’s creative outlet would come from in the absence of Wilfried Zaha and Conor Gallagher – absent due to suspension and Covid-19 – but Edouard stepped up and took the game to the opposition.

He completed the most dribbles (five), had six shots at Angus Gunn’s goal and provided two assists along with his penalty strike to break the deadlock. This was a man-of-the-match performance.

Schlupp’s prowess at picking up the ball and attempting driving runs away from his own half was another component that added to Tuesday’s victory.

Despite failing to impress in the 1-0 loss at Manchester United a few weeks ago, where he was a passenger in the middle, Schlupp’s attacking instinct is one of his biggest strengths when utilised correctly. He can play a vital role this season.

This Palace squad has strength in depth. They coped without all of their main creative sparks – Gallagher, Zaha, Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.

Will Hughes has been a revelation since breaking into the first team following his summer arrival from Watford, and his performance against Norwich showed all the qualities he brings to the side.

He broke up the play and regained possession five times, he played several pinpoint crosses from dead-ball situations and calmed the tempo of the game down when in possession.

Considering he played 80 minutes against Tottenham only 48 hours prior to kick off on Tuesday, Tyrick Mitchell once again produced an assured performance to show why Palace’s decision to tie the 22-year-old down until 2025 was inspired.

Mitchell was afforded time and space against Norwich and he showcased that he is more than able to do what is required of a modern-day full-back by joining in on the attack.

The 22-year-old played a pass that saw Selhurst Park echo “ooh” as he threaded Edouard through to play in Mateta for Palace’s second of the afternoon.

Nathan Ferguson, Eze and Olise are all players who could get increased pitch time while Zaha, Jordan Ayew and Cheikhou Kouyate are away at the Africa Cup of Nations. There is enough quality in the ranks to deal with unavailable players and adversity.

At the midway point of their campaign the Eagles pushed themselves into the Premier League top 10 on Tuesday evening and just five points off a European spot.

There is a real chance, should injuries favour them and players find form during the intense final half of the season, that Patrick Vieira’s side could push for something really special.

While the chaos of the 24 hours before Boxing Day’s clash against Spurs could have been a factor in the disorganised nature of Palace’s structure and lack of game plan, their performance on Tuesday showed professionalism to push aside any thoughts of those missing and gain an expected three points.

Vieira, isolating after a positive Covid test, could return for tomorrow’s clash against West Ham. And with fringe players earning minutes, confidence and goals, Palace are in a strong position heading into the second half of the season.

STAR MAN
Odsonne Edouard. A goal and two assists from the Frenchman.

BEST MOMENT
Mateta’s goal. Should give him confidence.