Sam Smith’s big-match verdict as Roy Hodgson buys more time as 1-1 draw against Leicester eases pressure – just a touch – on Palace chief

BY SAM SMITH

In December 2018, it was a home win against Leicester City that eased the pressure on Roy Hodgson following a solitary victory in 11 matches. Two years on, it may not have been the same result but Monday’s draw in the same fixture has once again provided Hodgson more time.

Following two games in which the Eagles conceded 10 goals without reply – including being smashed 7-0 by Liverpool – a positive result against the Foxes was imperative.

Ultimately, they just about scraped by in this 1-1 draw. But for Hodgson, there will be relief that this was not another crushing defeat.

Wilfried Zaha’s stunning volley, following an attack that the forward had orchestrated himself, seemed to have handed Palace a win by the same scoreline that saved Hodgson’s job two years ago.

That day, Luka Milivojevic scored from range in a 1-0 win. The preceding form, which included a
3-0 defeat against arch-rivals Brighton, had been much worse than the current Palace side faced prior to Monday.

But this time, Harvey Barnes’ goal seven minutes from the end prevented Palace from winning for the first time since December 6. The South Londoners’ winless run extends to five matches.

That Palace were playing some of the best football of Hodgson’s reign before their thrashing by Liverpool made the sudden spiral in form all the more baffling. Barnes’ strike means that they have now conceded in all but one of their previous 24 matches.

Although this was a vastly improved performance by Hodgson’s side, the defending for the goal they conceded was one of several pieces of evidence that their frailties remain. The 23-year-old was given too much time to shift the ball on to his left foot and was not sufficiently closed down before he unleashed a drive into the corner of Vicente Guaita’s goal.

James Tomkins’ rash challenge handed Leicester a first-half penalty, but Guaita stopped Kelechi Iheanacho’s spot-kick. Tomkins was starting for the first time in an injury-hit 10 months and was one of five changes made by Hodgson from the 3-0 defeat against Aston Villa.

The defender’s lack of match sharpness could be forgiven for the penalty, but Palace’s back four soon awarded Iheanacho the freedom of their penalty area. The striker somehow headed over from close range when it seemed easier to simply nod the ball into the net.

Palace were much better in the second half. Several parties have spoken of a half-time dressing down by assistant manager Ray Lewington as the cause of the upturn in performance.

“Well it certainly was [more positive] in the second half. But it almost cost my assistant manager Ray Lewington a heart attack at half-time in order to produce that inspiration and energy that we found in the second half,” Hodgson quipped after the game.

Tomkins added: “At half-time Ray gave us a talking to and we proved we are a better team than we showed [in the first half].”

Lewington’s fury had the desired effect. Zaha had already blazed over before he handed Palace the lead prior to the hour mark.

The 28-year-old rampaged away on the counter attack following a Leicester set-piece and passed wide to the right where Townsend was making strides forward.

Zaha had slipped but rose to continue his run and met Townsend’s cross. His powerful volley at the back post beat Kasper Schmeichel from a tight angle.

The Ivorian is well on course to beat his best goal return in a campaign. He netted 10 in the 2018-19 season but now has eight before the halfway mark this term.

Barnes’ finish means this was not the perfect response to the poor form but it was certainly a step in the right direction.

The pressing dilemma now is how Palace move on. There must be clear evidence that the disastrous performances against Liverpool and Villa are left well in the past.

To halt their capitulation but to then lose against Sheffield United on Saturday would feel like the hard work had been undone. After all, the Blades have just a solitary point all season.

After the win against Leicester in 2018, Palace used the momentum to improve their performances. A 3-2 win at Manchester City followed.

A repeat of that upturn in form would go a long way to completely easing the pressure on Hodgson.