Crystal Palace’s return to Selhurst Park ended in disappointment as they fell to a toothless defeat against London rivals West Ham. The Eagles had their chances in the first half but were unable to find a clinical finisher to break the deadlock. Oliver Glasner’s side struggled to make an impact on the scoreline, and their lack of a cutting edge ultimately cost them the match.
### First Half Analysis
The first half of the match saw both teams creating chances, with Crystal Palace looking lively in attack. However, their inability to convert those opportunities into goals proved to be their downfall. The absence of a clinical finisher was evident as they failed to capitalize on their promising build-up play. Despite their efforts, the Eagles were unable to find a way past the West Ham defense, leaving them frustrated and unable to make a breakthrough.
### Defensive Woes in the Second Half
The second half saw Crystal Palace’s defensive frailties exposed by a resolute West Ham side. The Eagles were sloppy in their defensive duties, allowing their opponents to capitalize on their mistakes and secure a comfortable victory. Feeble defending cost Crystal Palace dearly, as they struggled to contain West Ham’s attacking threats and ultimately conceded two goals. The lack of organization and composure at the back proved to be their undoing, as they succumbed to a second successive defeat.
### Player Ratings
– **Dean Henderson – 5/10**: Despite his efforts, Henderson struggled with his distribution and was unable to prevent either of West Ham’s goals.
– **Chadi Riad – 5/10**: Riad had a mixed performance, showing glimpses of promise but also making costly errors that led to West Ham’s goals. He will need time to settle into the team.
– **Marc Guehi – 6/10**: Guehi put in a solid performance, keeping Michail Antonio quiet for most of the match. His physicality and leadership were evident, and he stood out as one of Crystal Palace’s better players.
– **Chris Richards – 4/10**: Richards struggled defensively and was easily beaten by his opponent on multiple occasions. His performance left much to be desired, and he had a forgettable afternoon.
– **Tyrick Mitchell – 5.5/10**: Mitchell was solid for the most part but had a lapse in concentration that led to West Ham’s opening goal. Despite this, he showed promise in his defensive duties.
– **Jefferson Lerma – 5/10**: Lerma failed to make an impact in midfield and was questionable in possession. His performance was uninspiring and lacked creativity.
– **Adam Wharton – 6/10**: Wharton’s passing was impressive, and he was one of Crystal Palace’s better players on the day. He rarely put a foot wrong and showed composure in possession.
– **Daniel Munoz – 6/10**: Munoz was energetic and provided an offensive threat down the flank. His defensive contributions were solid, and he showed promise in pressuring the opposition.
– **Eberechi Eze – 6/10**: Eze was excellent in the first half but struggled to make an impact in the second. Despite hitting the bar, he was often selfish in his play and lacked trust in his teammates.
– **Jean-Philippe Mateta – 4.5/10**: Mateta missed a crucial chance and failed to offer the offensive threat expected of him. His passing was decent, but he was unable to register a shot on goal.
– **Odsonne Edouard – 5.5/10**: Edouard showed glimpses of promise with his movement but lacked confidence in front of goal. His first touch let him down, and he struggled to make a meaningful impact.
### Substitutes
– **Daichi Kamada – 4/10**: Kamada was deployed out of position and struggled to make an impact in midfield. His performance was lackluster, and he failed to provide a penetrative threat.
– **Ismaila Sarr – 6/10**: Sarr tried to make an impact and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions. His delivery was promising, and he showed encouraging signs in his brief appearance.
– **Jeffrey Schlupp – N/A**: Schlupp was brought on late in the match but had little opportunity to make a significant impact on the game.
In conclusion, Crystal Palace’s defeat against West Ham highlighted their shortcomings in both attack and defense. The Eagles will need to regroup and address their issues if they are to bounce back from this disappointing result.