By Freddie Jennings
CRYSTAL Palace’s 0-0 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road in their last game before the International break represented an important moment in Pierre Sage’s early days as Eagles head coach.
Following a string of highs and lows which included three wins and three losses in all competitions, a solid defensive display against the in-form Whites demonstrated that Sage has been learning and working on the main weakness from across those fixtures – which was the defence.
The Premier League fixtures prior to that stalemate had seen the Eagles concede eleven goals in four games. It was very easy for Palace fans to see in which area of the pitch they needed to improve.
The visit to West Yorkshire appeared to be a daunting challenge. Having thumped Newcastle United 4-1 the previous Monday, Daniel Farke’s side were in excellent attacking form. Palace, meanwhile, had less than 72 hours to prepare for the game after their Europa League fixture against Polish side Lech Poznan. There could have been tired legs and mental fatigue.
However, Palace defied some pre-match the expectations to come away with a clean sheet and a point that could have easily been three if it wasn’t for a marginal offside given against Anan Khalaili, whose knee went slightly beyond a Leeds defender in the build-up to a goal which was expertly dispatched by opposite wing-back Tyrick Mitchell.
The travelling supporters will have been delighted to see their team silence the raucous home crowd in a controlled opening half which didn’t reflect what they had seen from their side so far this season.
The second period yielded more chances for Palace with Yeremy Pino’s free-kick nearly beating goalkeeper James Trafford. Substitute Eddie Nketiah was unable to capitalise on a glaring one-on-one opportunity, yet the main feeling was one of positivity at full-time, as Palace had finally put in a solid defensive display.
Back-up goalkeeper Walter Benitez made the best save of the game from point-blank range to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the second half, and the Argentine claimed everything that came into his box with calmness. The back three stood firm to protect him throughout, with the returning Jaydee Canvot impressing on the left side of that unit, which Chris Richards marshalled perfectly as the central figure. Both have had challenging starts to the campaign. Canvot was dropped from the squad against Ipswich Town but he came back and showed the quality that he has. The first half saw Takehiro Tomiyasu contribute to the team’s defensive resilience before predictability having to come off with a knock. However, the reliable Jefferson Lerma stepped in to build on the team’s impressive work and fitted in seamlessly as the experienced professional that he is.
Adam Wharton and Quinten Timber formed a rigid midfield duo that was difficult to breach, with the Dutchman standing out for his combative attitude as he dealt with Leeds’ physicality in the middle. It was their physicality that had steamrolled through Newcastle and any fears that this would be replicated against Sage’s side were quickly ended.
The only thing that Palace lacked was a decisiveness in the opposition box, with a lack of pace hindering them. Ismaila Sarr came on from the bench here and Jean-Philippe Mateta is expected to return after the international break to bolster the attacking depth. This was the only game after Everton on the opening day when Palace failed to score. The South Londoners have already putt four past Poznan and three past Fulham and Middlesbrough.
Sage, though, was content with what he saw. He said: “We made a good game and a good performance. Maybe we deserved better – I think the players gave a lot in this game. And at the end they deserved something else than a draw.” Finding defensive stabilisation was a core focus leading up to the match and the Frenchman was glad to see improvements in this department saying. “We feel better in our team and defended better than we have done and that’s the first step.”
The focus during the international break has been on building on this away performance by combining a new-found defensive sternness with the attacking ability that has been evident during previous league, cup and European matches.
The break will give Sage more time to work on the defensive shape of the side, which he is understood to have been developing in training with big fixtures on the horizon against Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion. After both of these games is a trip to Lyon in the Europa League and to Besiktas in Istanbul. They are mouth-watering clashes for the Eagles, clashes that will need further tactical impetus from Sage – who is starting to get his messages across to the players.
