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Crystal Palace 0-2 Southampton 01/09/18: 3 Key Takeaways

By Nikos Lemanis

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton FC at Selhurst Park on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton FC at Selhurst Park on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Christian Benteke of Crystal Palace shoots and misses as the ball is saved by Alex McCarthy of Southampton during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton FC at Selhurst Park on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Christian Benteke of Crystal Palace shoots and misses as the ball is saved by Alex McCarthy of Southampton during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton FC at Selhurst Park on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

McCarthy deserves a cap

If anyone doubted that Alex McCarthy’s early season form warranted an international call up, he silenced those doubters on Saturday.

Since joining from Crystal Palace two summers ago, the 28 year-old stopper has really made the most of the chance presented to him by Fraser Forster’s loss of form. Last season McCarthy was vital to Saints retaining their Premier League status, and on Saturday he once again played a big part in securing a crucial win.

The best illustration of his importance came through two important second half saves from James MacArthur and Christian Benteke. Although Southampton looked to be in control for the majority of the match, they were slightly unnerved following Charlie Austin’s penalty miss. If there was a time for Palace to get back into the game, this was it.

But McCarthy’s blocks ensured that didn’t happen, and instead set Southampton up for an important win. Hopefully Gareth Southgate will give him an opportunity to show he can do the same in an England shirt next week.