Crystal Palace 0-2 Southampton: Saints battle to crucial first league win
By Erik Franzo
Southampton earned a hard fought 2-0 win at Selhurst Park while visiting a rejuvenated Crystal Palace side.
Southampton and Crystal Palace returned to Premier League play after midweek wins in the Carabao Cup. Both teams struggled to get a grasp on the game early, with the majority of play through the midfield.
Mark Hughes and Roy Hodgson deployed near identical 4-4-2 formations, relying on direct play to find the strikers in the box. Christian Benteke and Jordan Ayew looked dangerous on a few 40 yard balls over the Southampton defense, but showed a lack of strength to create chances. Benteke specifically went down twice in the box, with half-hearted shouts for penalties.
The Saints started strikers Danny Ings, who was a doubt with a blister, and Shane Long to test the Palace defence. Both found opportunities with the ball within the penalty box, but were unable to put shots on frame. Long had the better of the opportunities as a Mohamed Elyounoussi chip found his feet, put a great block was made on the attempted shot.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg surprisingly found himself in the starting eleven following his dismissal for simulation a week ago. He apparently had something to prove as he unleashed two shots from distance and provided the cross-field passing that unlocked the Palace defence.
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The closest anyone came to a first half goal was in the 33rd minute. A set piece taken by Elyounoussi nearly resulted in an own goal if not for a Wayne Hennessey reactionary save.
Southampton provided greater hope for a goal, but still struggled to be a true threat in the attacking third in a rather uneventful first half.
All would change after the starting whistle. Danny Ings would score just 2 minutes in when a long ball from Cedric fell to him inside the 18. The new Southampton striker nutmegged the keeper with the outside of the foot for a cool finish.
Crystal Palace showed quick response and came closest in the 53rd minute. James McCarthur struck a ball from 20 yards out that rattled the bar and all of Selhurst Park. This would mark a flurry of activity that the game desperately needed.
In the 59th minute, an intense scramble inside the Saints penalty area ensued. Christian Benteke was denied initially by Alex McCarthy, but three more chances fell to Palace before the ball was properly cleared.
Charlie Austin was forced into the game following a Shane Long injury at the hour mark. He would almost immediately be given a chance to kill of the game from the penalty mark.
Palace right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka was at fault for handling the ball on Austin’s side-footed shot. However, Wayne Hennessey was able to pick up his defender as he made a foot save on a relatively poor attempt from Autin’s standards. It was the striker’s first miss from the mark in a Saints uniform in six tries.
Nathan Redmond had his best chance of the game saved by the Palace keeper, but Elyounoussi would pounce on the rebound, just clipping the top of the bar on its way into the stands. This would be the new Southampton winger’s final contribution to the game as Mark Hughes elected to go with an extra defender in the 72nd minute. Saints left back Matt Targett would take his place.
Senegalese substitute Cheikhou Kouyate was an instant impact for the Eagles and forced McCarthy into a diving save 74th minute. He took control of the midfield and created a nervy final 20 minutes for Southampton who struggle to hold 3 points.
Oriol Romeu was Hughes’ final move as he brought the Spanish defensive midfielder on to close game out while removing the goalscorer Ings.
James McCarthur, who was man of the match for Palace, again tested McCarthy in 85th from distance, but the shot stopper was up for the challenge. The resulting corner kick saw Benteke miss over the bar with a header, but it would not be his final chance.
In stoppage time Benteke found himself wide open from 4 yards out with a header which he struck down to the ground, but directly at an airborne Alex McCarthy. A chance that you would expect any striker to score on.
However, the story was intended to have a happy ending, and one highlighted by redemption. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg sprinted forward on a quick Southampton counter attack, put his body between Kouyate and the ball, and this time did not go down. Instead he pushed the ball around the Palace goalkeeper and scored his first ever Premier League goal with his left foot.
Just a week ago, Hojbjerg received massive criticism for his decision which resulted in a loss to Leicester Cty. Mark Hughes showed he believed in his central midfielder, gave him the start, and the whole fan base was rewarded with a moment of great character and relief.
Southampton finally feel as if they have their season underway, with back to back wins heading into the International break while moving into the top half of the table with the 2-0 win.