Crystal Palace drew 2-2 with Arsenal on Wednesday night in their final action before Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.
Here are Adam Sells’ talking points from the match.
MINDS ELSEWHERE
Despite twice coming from behind to draw level the Eagles could and probably should have come away with the maximum three points.
They passed up several presentable chances and ended the game with a higher XG than Arsenal.
Both Palace boss Oliver Glasner and his opposite number Mikel Arteta showed with their second-half subs that the real focus was on what’s in store for both during the next six days.
Glasner’s withdrawal of Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton just after the hour for Ismaila Sarr and Will Hughes smacked of managing game time prior to tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final rather than going all out for victory.
Daichi Kamada and Justin Devenny looked the more likely duo to depart had the visitors been pushing when chances came and went. It was the arrival of Jean-Philippe Mateta that was critical in the end. The French striker’s exquisite finish from range earned the point.
DEFENSIVE LAPSES A FEATURE AGAIN
There were so many positive moments in the game, not least the two magnificent goals that Palace scored and, in general, the visitors restricted their hosts and limited the clearcut opportunities.
At times the game had a low-key feel, with Arsenal not hitting the levels that has put them second in the Premier League and Champions League semi-finalists.
Dean Henderson produced a terrific reflex save late on to deny England colleague Bukayo Saka but, in truth, was not called into action frequently.
The two goals conceded were disappointing. Palace fell behind inside three minutes to a Jakub Kiwior header. The big Polish defender was afforded a free header from 13 yards from Martin Odegaard’s free-kick. Though he made a good connection the ball drifted past a startled and motionless Henderson.
The second highlighted a lack of intensity defensively. Jurrien Timber easily went inside Eze and played the ball into Leandro Trossard in an advanced position. Kamada, Jefferson Lerma and Maxence Lacroix were all in close proximity, but allowed the Belgian forward to get a shot off, that deflected off Lacroix and beyond Henderson.
Lacroix, though elegant, pacy and new to the Premier League, has demonstrated that he lacks a mean streak when defending.
This was again illustrated late on when he allowed Gabriel Martinelli to run clear on goal following a quick throw, completely switching off, which fortunately did not prove costly.
After losing five goals in the two previous away games, there were moments that were certainly of concern to Glasner.
BANG! BANG!
Palace saved the occasion for two of their ‘Goal of The Season’ contenders.
Eze drew the Eagles level for the first time on 27 minutes, magnificently volleying home from the edge of the box from Wharton’s floated corner.
The England forward was released by the Gunners as a 13-year-old and it would have been a sweet moment for the South Londoner.
Eze’s from has been slightly patchy of late, but there is never any doubt about his mesmeric talent. It will have been the perfect confidence booster ahead of the Wembley showdown.
Likewise, Mateta, who has not found his full rhythm after being stretchered off against Millwall at the beginning of March.
His goal will be one he will cherish for the rest of his career.
The big centre-forward cashed in on a William Saliba slip to drift the ball perfectly over an out of position David Raya via the underside of the bar.
Absolutely world class.
WEM-BER-LEY!
This was a real shot in the arm for Palace ahead of their trip to the national stadium.
Boss Glasner was highly satisfied post-match, managing to rotate his squad and gain a positive result, though a victory would have been the perfect
tonic.
Unai Emery’s Villa will be a formidable opponent and Palace go into the match as underdogs.
It promises to be an exciting afternoon.
Palace make the trip buoyed and ready.
The wait is almost over… roll on Saturday!
PICTURES: ROB AVIS
