Adam Sells’ verdict on Palace’s EFL Cup loss to Manchester United – lack of squad depth makes it a night of woe

BY ADAM SELLS

As footballing nights go, it doesn’t get much worse than Tuesday night at Old Trafford. There were not too many positives for Crystal Palace or manager Roy Hodgson, who was an unusually resigned and frustrated figure when he addressed the media after their 3-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Former England boss Hodgson is always articulate, honest and pragmatic in his approach, but must be worn down while he deals with an ever-increasing injury list.

Perhaps the moment that best encapsulated the mood came towards the end of the first half, as Jesurun Rak-Sakyi was eased off the ball by Sofyan Amrabat.

The ball went behind for a goal-kick and the Moroccan patted the young Palace wideman on the head. United were in full control in every sense. Their depth of squad and their experience was telling.

By then, Hodgson’s patched up and paper-thin group were already reeling from the loss of Dean Henderson, who worryingly pulled up on his debut at the club from whom he had just departed, having been desperately keen to make his mark on his return.

The first action for his replacement Sam Johnstone, another former United goalkeeper, was to retrieve the ball from the back of his net two minutes after entering the fray.

Up until then, nothing of note had really happened and Palace had not looked unduly troubled, but a Diego Dalot surge into the box and low cross fell perfectly for

Alejandro Garnacho to finish despite the best efforts of Rob Holding, another Palace debutant, on the line.

Six minutes later it was 2-0 and the game was pretty much over as a contest.

Mason Mount’s corner was met by Casemiro, who escaped Jeffery Schlupp far too easily and his thumping header eluded everybody.

The visitors made it to the break without further damage being inflicted but had not been able to muster a single effort on target during the opening 45 minutes.

Hodgson had to try and a find a way to stem the tide and gain a foothold in the game, switching to a back three after the interval, withdrawing the ineffective Rak-Sakyi and sending on Marc Guehi.

It is hard to remember the experienced boss ever playing with three central defenders and wing-backs in either of his spells in charge. But with a lack of wide options – and Chris Richards again turning in a commendable performance – this may be a serious consideration until Michael Olise and summer signing Matheus Franca, yet to kick a ball for Palace, are fit to return.

Ten minutes into the second period the game was done.

Nathaniel Clyne was caught napping at the back post as Anthony Martial ghosted in to steer his angled attempt across Johnstone and settle the tie.

The small number of fans that made the journey from South London for the first of two encounters this week at Old Trafford saw Jean-Philippe Mateta test Andre Onana twice but, in truth, their team was never in it.

Eberechi Eze’s cameo gave a glimpse of hope that Palace can make a better fist of it this weekend, but Jairo Riedewald, one of the few plusses on a miserable evening, limped off to potentially add to the growing injury list.

Odsonne Edouard was the latest to miss out with a hamstring injury and his goals have been absolutely crucial so far.

With Nathan Ferguson, James Tomkins, Naouirou Ahamada and Jefferson Lerma also injured, as thoughts turned towards Saturday, though Hodgson can look to recall the rested players, it is really difficult to see how much the seasoned coach can shuffle the pack in the final third.

Hodgson has won twice on this ground during his previous tenure, but repeating the feat this weekend will be a tall order, with potentially eight of his squad unavailable.

Now in their 11th season in the world’s best league, it should not be impossible for Palace to be challenging for success in cup competitions, but this game wasn’t lost on this particular night.

The reality is the opportunity to progress ended 25 days earlier, when the transfer window closed and Palace’s attacking options were light by three players.

Quite why the club didn’t add to their options is hard to fathom.

Regardless of quality, there is just not enough in terms of numbers to be able to compete in the Premier League, let alone the cup competitions.

The aforementioned Rak-Sakyi should be building on his exceptional season in League One at Charlton Athletic, via a further loan spell in the Championship. But without reinforcements, it was impossible to sanction and he is almost certainly likely to be a peripheral figure until January at least.

There are no winners there and there was no EFL Cup win for Palace.

It is fair to say, that no club should ever rock up at Old Trafford expecting to win – but it is also fair to expect, after a decade in the top-flight, a more competitive balanced squad to attack all competitions.

The EFL Cup holders march on. But the air of inevitability that was evident in Manchester means that january cannot come quickly enough – despite the window only closing a few weeks ago.

STAR MAN
Jairo Riedewald. Performed well after coming into the team for only his second start for the club since last Boxing Day

BEST MOMENT
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s shot in the 67th minute that forced a smart stop from Andre Onana.