Patrick Vieira’s tactical tweak backfired as Palace fail to assert their extra Premier League experience on Brentford

Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Brentford epitomised Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace.

With Michael Olise starting his first Premier League game of the season and Wilfried Zaha returning to the starting line-up after recovering from a knee injury which kept him out of last weekend’s 4-2 loss away to Manchester City, the thought of Eberechie Eze pulling the strings behind was palpably exciting.

There were chances for the Eagles to assert their Premier League experience on a Brentford team only in their second season in the top flight – Olise curling a shot towards the post and Jeffrey Schlupp being caught in two minds when Jean-Philippe Mateta was in space. But heading towards the 60-minute mark at Selhurst Park, there was a somewhat familiar feeling settling in, with all of Palace’s attacking intent on display but a clinical ruthlessness in front of goal was absent.

And once again, Wilfried Zaha stepped up to rescue the Eagles – as inevitable as death, taxes and sky-rocketing energy prices.

Aaron Hickey had proved to be a worthy adversary in the first half. But when Zaha was afforded the opportunity to shift the ball on to his right foot in the 59th minute, Palace’s record Premier League appearance holder and goalscorer going on to curl a stunning shot around the Scottish defender and out of David Raya’s reach to give the Eagles a deserved lead.

Thomas Frank’s Brentford are extremely well drilled but Palace had been dominating the contest, having seven more shots and more possession before Zaha produced his moment of magic.

But the game’s momentum changed when Frank pushed Vieira and his coaching staff into a panic following a triple substitution. To match up the changes, the French manager completely ditched his attacking and front-foot approach to invite pressure and set up for a late onslaught.

Vieira removed all cohesion between the attacking unit and the midfield by switching forward-thinking Eze for defensive-minded Luka Milivojevic. And with 10 minutes to go, the Eagles boss nullified more attacking flair by removing Olise and changing to a back five to introduce Tyrick Mitchell.

It was a tactical tweak that cost Palace all three points and was in contrast to last season, when Vieira introduced Olise to go for the jugular and hurt Manchester City away, eventually scoring a second to wrap up the win. Brentford had five chances in the final 15 minutes, more than they had in the previous 75 minutes of the encounter.

Brentford finally punished Palace’s passive approach in the 88th minute when Vitaly Janelt was allowed to clip a cross into the box, and the unmarked Yoane Wissa evaded Marc Guehi and Mitchell to plant a header past Vicente Guaita.

Vieira’s tactical change could have been exploited even further. But fortunately Rico Henry was unable to bury his chance when one-on-one with Guaita and Ben Mee’s late header from a Mikkel Damsgaard corner bounced off the crossbar and away from danger.

The small smattering of frustrated boos at full time told you the story of the game – Palace should have walked away with all three points, and reactive decisions left them lucky to pick up one.

There were positives to take from the evening. Zaha’s reliability in front of goal continues to shine through. His countdown to 100 Crystal Palace goals grows ever close, needing just 13 more to reach the milestone.

New signing Cheick Doucoure is a vast upgrade on the limited, but effective, Cheikhou Kouyate.

The 22-year-old commanded the centre of the pitch on Tuesday, displaying his assuredness on the ball, calmness to evade danger, and precision to sniff out danger – winning the most tackles, seven, of any Palace player.

The Eagles had lapses in concentration last season – conceding late goals against Arsenal away, Aston Villa and Chelsea at home and both fixtures against Brighton.

Vieira has to find a way of eradicating late mistakes to ensure it doesn’t become an unwanted theme this season as well.

STAR MAN
Cheick Doucoure. The Mali midfielder has quickly adapted to the top-flight and looks to be a shrewd buy

BEST MOMENT
Zaha’s goal. The accuracy, power and sheer brilliance of the shot sum up how deadly he is in front of goal right now.