Substitutes saved the day for the Eagles as Leicester City surrendered a two-goal lead in an entertaining game at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Crystal Palace rallied from a 2-0 deficit to get a draw against Leicester in the Premier League game at Selhurst Park.
The Foxes took the lead in the first half with two goals from Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho. However, two goals by Palace substitute’s Michael Olise and Jeffrey Schlupp ensured that Patrick Vieira’s side got a deserved point following a spirited second half revival that nearly brought all three points for the Eagles.
Palace dominated the proceedings from the kick-off and were very bright in the opening half an hour, with Kasper Schmeichel tested several times, including an instance when he saved Wilfried Zaha’s effort from his foot. But to Vieira’s horror, the Eagles conceded two goals in quick succession against the run of play despite being the better of two sides.
Leicester seemed to be feeling the effects from their midweek’s Europa League game in Poland, but they were given a gift on the half-hour mark when the normally trustworthy Joachim Andersen was caught off guard by Iheanacho, who was onto the Dane in a flash before sliding in the goal past Vicente Guaita.
Fast forward six minutes, and Guaita found himself in a nearly identical scenario after Harvey Barnes put in Vardy and the Leicester hitman first deceived Guiata before finishing it into the bottom corner to double the lead. However, Palace got themselves together to put an inspiring display in the second half. Odsonne Edouard hit the crossbar from the outside of the box before substitute Michael Olise reduced the deficit to half in the 61st minute.
Crystal Palace has scored more Premier League goals via substitutes (4) than any other team so far this season:
⚽️⚽️ Edouard vs. Spurs
⚽️ Olise vs. Leicester
⚽️ Schlupp vs. LeicesterPatrick Vieira has the magic touch. ? pic.twitter.com/ondImvnoSJ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 3, 2021
Edouard came close again after creating an opportunity for himself, and Palace soon smelled blood, with Vieira introducing Patrick Schlupp as an impact-sub. The former Leicester man did not disappoint, heading home for Palace’s equaliser following a ping-pong situation inside the Leicester penalty area.
It will feel more like a win to Patrick Vieira’s men while on the other hand, there is more frustration for Brendan Rodgers & co. as the result extends their uncharacteristically slow start to the season. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over both sides after an exciting encounter at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace
Vicente Guaita: 5.5/10
Couldn’t really do much to prevent the two goals but wasn’t actually challenged that often. Holding on to a few of the strikes from outside of the penalty area well.
Joel Ward: 6/10
Not cut-out to play high up the pitch and was found in no man’s area at times giving Harvey Barnes the freedom of left-flank in the first half. Provided a decent outlet when needed to come back in the game.
Marc Guehi: 5/10
Guehi had a better day than his centre-back partner. Was one of Palace’s most robust presences in set-piece situations.
Joachim Andersen: 5/10
An absolute howler to hand Iheanacho the opening goal before failing to intercept the pass to Vardy, who put the Foxes 2-0 up heading into the first-half break. Recovered when Palace returned to dominate in the second half showing his passing skills, completed six successful long balls- the highest on the day by an outfield player.
Tyrick Mitchell: 6/10
Dealt with Lookman very well and covered for Zaha advancing forwards along the touchline. Positionally aware and was rarely exposed at the back.
Luka Milivojević: 6/10
Gave everything for the cause. Confident on the ball and kept things moving. He looked passive at times and lacked incision in passing.
James McArthur: 7/10
A very underrated midfielder. He always produces a consistent 7 out of 10 performance. Provided a customary bite and recycled possession on countless occasions. He drove into the box when needed. Was outstanding in the closing 20 minutes as Palace came within a whisker of taking all three points.
Conor Gallagher: 6/10
Quiet game for the Chelsea loanee after putting up amazing displays in recent weeks. He had a frustrating time on the pitch and couldn’t influence the game as much he would like to. In the first half, he hit the crossbar with a shot from just inside Leicester’s box.
Jordan Ayew: 4/10
The Ghanaian had a dreadful first half, finding himself in crossing positions several times but failed to deliver a good ball inside the box. Was hooked off early in the second half.
Odsonne Edouard: 6/10
Was feeding off scraps in the first half as Palace could barely get a foothold in the final 15 minutes before the break. He was better after the interval with Palace growing in confidence, rattled the crossbar, then followed it by striking across the side-netting.
Wilfried Zaha: 7/10
Zaha was the most creative Palace player as usual. He got fans off their seats with exquisite dribbling and touchline skills. Looked to cut inside on his right foot very often. He was a constant threat to Leicester’s defence. A fine performance on the day. His output was excellent, three shots, three key passes, five dribbles and he was also fouled twice.
Substitutes
Michael Olise: 7/10
Instant impact ?#CPFC | #CRYLEI pic.twitter.com/8ZEv9zXgbK
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) October 3, 2021
Made an immediate impact after coming as a substitute for Jordan Ayew. Took his goal well. Should start the next game ahead of Jordan Ayew.
Jeffrey Schlupp: 7/10
He took more shots than anyone despite coming after 70 minutes gone. That in itself speaks volumes of his impact. Aerial nuisance that Leicester can’t handle. First, he headed home among the chaos to grab the equalizer, even then had time for a couple of chances, but his header went wide of the target.
Christian Benteke: N/A
Did not play long enough to warrant a rating
Leicester City
Kasper Schmeichel: 6/10
Made a couple of crucial saves for Leicester early on as Palace was mounting pressure. The ricochet meant he was wrong-footed for the first goal, while he was hapless for the second as a sea of bodies were close to him.
Timothy Castagne: 6/10
It is a tall order to be told to restrict Zaha, especially with minimal help from Lookman higher up the field. But despite that, a decent enough performance and read well to cut out the service to Eagles’ talisman.
Jannik Vestergaard: 4/10
Vestergaard was well-positioned to clear several crosses and shifted a few times, but apart from that, it was a horrific display from the Dane. Aimless passing and average defending have crept into his game. His 1v1 defending left a lot to be desired as Palace players dribbled past him effortlessly.
Caglar Soyuncu: 5/10
Made a few key interceptions and was decent with heading the ball clear, but he was also guilty of getting pulled out of position, leaving the defensive line in utter chaos, directly leading to Palace chances. His passing was also erratic.
Ryan Bertrand: 4/10
Bertrand was often too late to respond, and a careless foul resulted in an early booking. He was always at unease defensively for much of the game, albeit he was unlucky with the deflection for the opening goal.
Ademola Lookman: 6/10
He displayed an absolute baller skill out of his locker to flick the ball over Mitchell. While his footwork and dribbling were good, he wasn’t much efficient in the final third. Didn’t contribute much defensively and was taken off guard for Olise’s goal.
Youri Tielemans: 6/10
A beautiful dinked ball to Barnes for the second goal restored what was otherwise a dismal first half for the Belgian, in which he threw the ball away several times. He didn’t have Ndidi around him to make amends for his shortcomings. He recovered in the second half, but a lack of stamina prevented him from controlling the game.
Hamza Choudhury: 5/10
Hamza Choudhury started strongly on his first rare outing of the campaign, sprinting with vigour, nipping at heels, and observing passing lines well enough to make several interceptions. However, the positivity swiftly turned sour by his own poor passing, and he was substituted after an hour.
Harvey Barnes: 7/10
Played a great pass to slid Vardy in for the first goal and returned to defend effectively, but little else went right for the English winger, who fumbled the ball often while advancing it forward.
Jamie Vardy: 7/10
Only two players in Premier League history have scored 90+ goals in the competition after turning 30:
✅ Ian Wright (93)
✅ Jamie Vardy (90)It's never too late to become a bagsman. ? pic.twitter.com/3U2MDqL9u6
— William Hill (@WilliamHill) October 3, 2021
Vardy was anonymous for much of the first half, but he scored a pure striker’s goal, giving Guaita the eye before slotting the other side. He carried the ball well in the second half to try to relieve pressure on Leicester’s backline.
Kelechi Iheanacho: 8/10
Iheanacho put a MOTM performance on his birthday. Scored the opening goal totally on his own, displaying intensity to push and composure to finish while exhibiting excellent close control to create opportunities for other forwards around him. It makes one wonder why Rodgers’ took so long to start him?
Most Premier League goals scored in 2021:
◎ Harry Kane (14)
◎ Mohamed Salah (14)
◉ Kelechi Ịheanachọ (13)Seniorman Kelz bags again. pic.twitter.com/sb3pEoUhP2
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 3, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Boubakary Soumare: 6/10
Carrying the ball forwards well enough and looking tidier in possession than most of his teammates.
James Maddison: 5/10
He didn’t see the ball enough but showed a sublime first touch once.
Marc Albrighton: 5/10
Came on for Lookman with 10 minutes to go, mostly defended in his own area.
