Player ratings from Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win over Leeds United – Summer signing has tricky game as Jordan Ayew impresses in deeper role
Goals from Odsonne Edouard and Eberechi Eze cancelled out Pascal Struijk’s opener as Crystal Palace secured their second Premier League win of the season.
Here are Edmund Brack’s player ratings from Selhurst Park:
Vicente Guaita – 6
Did well to deny Patrick Bamford from close range in the 20th minute and also claimed the ball four times during the 90 minutes.
Picture : Keith Gillard
However, had a moment to forget after he was caught in possession inside his own penalty area by Jack Harrison. The Spanish shot-stopper coped well with Marc Guehi’s award back-pass well and cleared his lines when put under pressure by the England defender.
Tried his best to stop Pascal Struijk from opening the scoring in the 1oth minute, but the shot was just out of his reach and through Joel Ward’s legs.
Joel Ward – 6
Made three interceptions and three clearances. He also won two aerial duals.
He wasn’t needed to defend for 90 minutes and constantly put his body on the line as he did against Chelsea last time out, but Ward produced another assured performance.
Marc Guehi – 6
Had a tricky opening 20 minutes on Sunday. The centre-back was forced into a smart tactical foul to stop Bamford from breaking towards goal in the first half.
He had to help Jeffrey Schlupp out defensively, with the converted left-back still adapting to his new role in the opening stages.
Much better in the second half, making four blocks and three clearances during the 90 minutes.
Joachim Andersen – 7
His passing range helped change the game. The tactical tweak afforded Andersen options to find a searching ball forward.
Picture : Keith Gillard
Also, excellent defensively, making six clearances. He is absolutely essential to this side. He has also taken his performances to another level this season, making the most clearances, 65, and the most accurate long balls, 49, of any defender in the Premier League this season.
Jeffrey Schlupp – 6
Looked out of place as a left-back in the first 15 minutes. However, he settled into his defensive role. Looked much better when he was moved back into the midfield following Doucoure’s withdrawal.
An extremely useful and versatile squad player in this side. Won four interceptions and won three aerial battles.
Cheick Doucoure – 4
The Mali midfielder could have counted himself very lucky to have played beyond the 26th minute at Selhurst Park. He was issued a yellow in the 13th minute and could have been awarded another for a foul on Marc Roca.
Picture : Keith Gillard
He lost possession five times – the most of any central player in a Palace shirt. He was incredibly exposed due to the attack-minded players surrounding him. However, he showed against Chelsea that he has the stamina and composure to deal with sustained periods of pressure.
Against Leeds, he was doing the job with both hands tied behind his back after the first 13 minutes.
Eberechi Eze – 6
While Eze’s movement and stunning finish placed into the bottom left-hand corner was a 10, he was pretty anonymous for a large chunk of the game.
Michael Olise – 7
A really promising performance from Olise in the midfield role, but when he was moved out to the right wing, he sprung into life. The former Reading man bagged an assist for Edouard’s equaliser, playing a tantalising free-kick into the box.
Olise had the most chances created [three], the most successful crosses [three], and played the most passes into the penalty area [seven].
Picture : Keith Gillard
Wilfried Zaha – 6
A moment of genius to flick the ball back to Eze on the edge of the box for the second goal. He seemed to start the game with a slightly cautious approach but grew into the match.
He lost the ball nine times and only completed one dribble.
Odsonne Edouard – 7
Odsonne Edouard is starting to show that he can lead the line in the Premier League. Holding the ball up well and bringing others into play has always been his most significant asset, but the Frenchman has shown his shrewd eye for goal in the past two games.
He gave Meslier no chance with his header in the 24th minute. Edouard also played a role in Eze’s winner, plucking the ball out of the sky and spreading it wide to Tyrick Mitchell.
Jordan Ayew – 8
Jordan Ayew has been one of Palace’s most consistent performers this season. He was sensational on Sunday afternoon and impressed immensely in the middle.
Conor Gallagher’s pressing influence and ability to bring others into play have been sorely missed in the opening stages of the season. While Ayew is a different player, he showed aspects on Sunday that offered promise for filling that void.
Picture : Keith Gillard
Ayew has the ability to fend off any advancing opposition player, makes intelligent runs, and hounds the opposition with his pressing.
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SUBS
Luka Milivojevic – 6
He was the right substitute to replace Doucoure. Helped see out the three points.
Tyrick Mitchell – 6
Played a role in Eze’s second and made a crucial block in the 80th minute with Leeds inside Palace’s penalty area.
Will Hughes – NA
Jean Philippe Mateta – NA
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