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Crystal Palace FC 1-0 Southampton: Premier League – Player Ratings

By Erik Franzo

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Che Adams of Southampton is challenged by Cheikhou Kouyate of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park on September 12, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Andy Rain - Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Che Adams of Southampton is challenged by Cheikhou Kouyate of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park on September 12, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Andy Rain - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Southampton’s Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl looks on during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park in south London on September 12, 2020. (Photo by Andy Rain / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ANDY RAIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton’s Austrian manager Ralph Hasenhuttl looks on during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Southampton at Selhurst Park in south London on September 12, 2020. (Photo by Andy Rain / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ANDY RAIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Manager, Goalkeeper and Defenders

Ralph Hasenhuttl, Manager – 7

Went with the trusted 11 from project restart.  Instilled a high back line over the break, but it was playing right into Palace’s game plan.  Made a very interesting halftime change, bringing on Jannik Vestergaard for Jan Bednarek.  A tactical switch to instill the long passing of the Danish centre-back.  Used Djenepo and Long as late substitutes, but was obviously concerned before this game in the lack of preparation and it showed in his team.

Alex McCarthy, Goalkeeper – 5

Beaten easily for the first goal, but no one will expect a save there.  Best save he made didn’t matter due to offsides.  Still head-scratching decisions in distribution.

Ryan Bertrand, Left-Back – 7

Adventurous from the start, seeking out the long diaganol pass from his centre-backs.  Drove a couple of his own diaganols across to fellow wing-back KWP.  Had one of the better games for Saints, but that is not saying much.  Rarely, if ever linked up with Redmond which is an important part of Ralph’s attack.

Jan Bednarek, Centre-Back – 6

Not sure he is fit to play in such a high back line, but a fairly clean first half.  Was beaten at midfield lunging in for a tackle to spring Andros Townsend, but to no harm.  Was subbed off at the half as centre-backs were given possession and did not know how to unlock Palace with the ball.

Jack Stephens, Centre-Back – 7

Notched the first attempt on goal, heading a corner on target, but within 10 minutes tweaked his knee lunging in for a tackle.  Limped his way back into the game and had enough in the first half.  Stayed strong and defended well outside of being caught out in the extremely high line.  Gets kudos for toughing through the match with sore ligaments.

Kyle Walker-Peters, Right-Back – 7

Positive with the ball, unafraid to take on players in position.  Was on the floor for a good portion of the first half, coping with more physical players in Zaha and Mitchell.  Found him on the diaganol early in the second, but escaped a red for a high challenge only thanks to VAR.  If you look closely at the game, he was the offensive creator, and that is quite an issue.  Nearly nicked an assist in the dying minutes with a first time cross to Ings.

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