Player ratings from Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win at Southampton – Confident Eze downs the Saints as Eagles keep clean sheet
Eberechi Eze scored a brace as Crystal Palace beat bottom-of-the-table Southampton 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Here are Edmund Brack’s player ratings from St Mary’s:
SAM JOHNSTONE – 8
The ex-West Brom stopper is certainly staking his claim as Crystal Palace’s number one. After an excellent Premier League debut for the club at Leeds United last weekend, Johnstone produced another assured performance at St Mary’s on Saturday.
The best of his stops on the south coast came when he flung a fingertip towards Carlos Alcaraz’s shot from the edge of the box, which directed the goal-bound effort onto the post.
Also made a flying stop minutes later to deny Armel Bella-Kotchap from distance.
JOEL WARD – 7
Won three aerial battles and kept Kamaldeen Sulemana and Moussa Djenepo very quiet during the match.
Has been excellent since Hodgson returned.
Palace will need to decide whether to prolong his stay at Selhurst Park for another season, and with recent performances, it would be hard to argue against offering the long-term stalwart a new deal.
JOACHIM ANDERSEN – 7
Another solid display from the Danish defender.
Former Fulham man Andersen won two tackles and made two clearances.
MARC GUEHI – 7
Roy Hodgson quickly praised the defence for their contribution towards the win against Ruben Selles’ side on Saturday – and Guehi was at the heart of that.
TYRICK MITCHELL – 8
Outstanding performance from the English left-back. Made three interceptions and was not dribbled past once, despite Southampton targeting the flanks in the search for finding a way through Palace’s defence.
Mitchell’s confidence seems to be blossoming game after game.
CHEICK DOUCOURE – 7
Won the ball back for Eze’s second. Did not lose possession once and made two blocks.
JEFFREY SCHLUPP – 8
Was a large part of Palace’s attacking adventure in the first half, linking up well with Tyrick Mitchell and Jordan Ayew down the left-hand side.
Made two bursting runs forward and won possession back three times for the Eagles.
Has been immense in the last three games.
EBERECHI EZE – 9
A clinical second-half performance that showed why the Eagles were right to snub interest from Premier League rivals in the past.
Took his second goal so well and was luring Southampton’s players into challenges before shifting into the open space they would leave behind.
A player glowing with confidence.
MICHAEL OLISE – 7
Another mature performance from the 21-year-old. Was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself, having his first-half goal ruled out for offside and striking the post with the last kick of the game.
JORDAN AYEW – 8
Worked tirelessly to drag Palace up the pitch in the early stages. Attempted 10 dribbles – five of which were successful – and played a key role in Eze’s opener.
ODSONNE EDOUARD – 6
Linked up really well with the players behind him – playing a number of clever flicks and passes – but struggled for a clear sight of goal during the game. Was replaced by Will Hughes in the 74th minute.
SUBS
WILL HUGHES – 7
Got involved and set up two attacking situations towards the end of the game.
ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA – NA
LUKA MILIVOJEVIC – NA
JAMES TOMKINS – NA
JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA – NA
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