Player ratings from Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win over West Ham – England provisional squad member shines and Wilf Zaha shows ruthless touch

Crystal Palace recorded their first Premier League away win of the season thanks to goals from Wilfried Zaha and Michael Olise securing a 2-1 victory over West Ham United.

Here are Edmund Brack’s player ratings from the London Stadium:

VICENTE GUAITA – 7

The Spaniard has been by far Palace’s best player in recent weeks, but he was hardly called upon during the 90 minutes in east London – only making one save in the 72nd minute.

Guaita couldn’t do anything about Said Benrahma’s opener, which was sent with venom into the top corner. 

The 35-year-old, however, did produce a clever piece of decision-making to claw the ball away from Craig Dawson in the second half.

NATHANIEL CLYNE – 7

A really assured performance from the former Liverpool defender. It’s evident that the attributes he brings to the team makes the overall balance of Palace’s play more potent, with full-backs on both sides who can venture forward.

Was one of two outfield players who didn’t lose possession during the game. Joint first alongside Joachim Andersen with recording the most passes [81] and touches [86] of any Palace player.

The 31-year-old also made two key blocks to deny crosses into the penalty area.

JOACHIM ANDERSEN – 6 

Although he had the same number of touches and passes as Clyne, Joachim Andersen struggled in the second half once Michail Antonio was introduced.

The former Tooting & Mitcham forward burst past Andersen in the 82nd minute – in a carbon copy of the 2-2 draw last season at the London Stadium – but fortunately for the Danish defender, Antonio lost control of the ball under pressure from Guehi and couldn’t get a shot off.

It’s becoming a common occurrence that the Palace centre-backs have tricky games against powerful forwards who can ruffle feathers.

However, considering he had the most number of touches and passes, he didn’t lose possession once.

MARC GUEHI – 7

Made a crucial block during the second half to deny West Ham on the break in the first half, but also had a difficult afternoon once Antonio was introduced to the fold.

Did well to put Antonio off when he was past Andersen and through on goal. 

Also stayed with Antonio and stopped him from scoring the winner with West Ham’s final counter-attack, which led to the forward chipping the ball into the arms of Guaita and the Eagles taking all three points.

TYRICK MITCHELL – 9

This was Tyrick Mitchell’s best performance of the season. With the England squad announcement on the horizon, the 23-year-old has produced two back-to-back assured performances.

After securing his first goal involvement last weekend against Southampton – crossing for Odsonne Edouard to score – Mitchell’s defensive display at the London Stadium was outstanding.

He executed two well-timed tackles in the late stages of the second half to stop Jarrod Bowen from bursting into the penalty area.

Mitchell also won four aerial battles and made two clearances.

CHEICK DOUCOURE – 6 

His first appearance since the 2-1 win over Wolves, with a slight medial collateral ligament injury keeping the summer signing sidelined. 

Although it was Jordan Ayew who allowed Said Benrahma to wriggle around the box and open the scoring, Doucoure, playing as a cover to the back four, wasn’t goal side and gave the Algerian a better sight of the top corner.

He made a handful of wasteful passes in the second half, which saw him replaced for Luka Milivojevic.

He did win 100 per cent of his tackles [two] and completed two dribbles.

JEFFREY SCHLUPP – 7 

An assured performance from Schlupp. The midfielder, who has been named in the 55-man Ghana provisional squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, won three of his four tackles at the London Stadium.

Also made one block, one interception and one clearance.

EBERECHI EZE – 7 

Showed real determination to win the ball back from Thilo Kehler and play through Zaha for Palace’s equaliser.

Had chances in the second half to extend Palace’s lead – curling a deflected shot just wide and lacking that killer shot when played through by Zaha down the left-hand side in the second half.

The Greenwich-born attacker played an influential role in the winner by carrying the ball forward and finding Zaha to set up Olise.

He may fall just short of the upcoming England squad, but he is the youngest player in the Premier League this season with more than three assists and more than five big chances created to his name.

WILFRIED ZAHA – 8 

Playing through the middle, Zaha picked up a goal and an assist to ensure Palace’s dominant performance left east London with all three points.

It was a refined finish in the 41st minute to hand Palace the equaliser – a powerful finish to leave Lukasz Fabianski with no chance.

He should have done better with his chance in the second half when he jinked through the West Ham defence, and as he looked to pull the trigger, Dawson executed a perfectly timed tackle.

11 more to go to reach 100 for the club in all competitions.

JORDAN AYEW – 6 

A relatively quiet afternoon for the Ghanaian going forward, but he completed three tackles and won four aerial battles.

Ayew lost possession seven times – the most of any player on the pitch.

MICHAEL OLISE – 8

The young Frenchman was causing problems from the first whistle. Declan Rice struggled to contain the former Reading man in the first half, with Olise finding pockets of space and bursting past the England midfielder on a handful of occasions.

He moved into a more central role alongside Zaha for part of the game and then switched out to the right-hand side to cause Aaron Cresswell a dilemma.

While his winner took a deflection, it was fearless from Olise to take the shot in the 94th minute.

He is becoming more influential in every game he plays under Vieira. It was only the second time this season he had finished a Premier League outing, and Palace reaped the rewards from his presence on the pitch.

Completed three of his four dribbles, played three key passes and had the most touches and passes of any attacking player.

SUBS 

LUKA MILIVOJEVIC – 6

His involvement was needed as Doucoure struggled to keep up with the pace of the game in the second half.

Made one tackle and one interception during his 13 minutes on the pitch.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD