Four takeaways from Palace’s 0-0 draw at Leicester – Zaha withdrawal a brave call as subs fail to spark improvement
Crystal Palace only had one shot on target as they had to settle for a 0-0 draw at Leicester City this afternoon.
The Eagles were disjointed as an attacking force.
Here are Adam Sells’ takeaways from the match.
DOUGHNUTS! DOUGHNUTS!
Vicente Guaita’s baker will be rubbing his hands, even if those in attendance at the King Power Stadium weren’t.
The Palace goalkeeper turned in an immaculate performance on Saturday afternoon.
The Spanish keeper was not required to make any really difficult saves but his handling and decision-making were exemplary.
Guaita buys doughnuts for his team-mates when he keeps a clean sheet and it will be only the second time in nine games – the other a stalemate at Newcastle – that he rewarding his colleagues with a sweet treat.
TIME TO UP THE PACE
There was a distinct lack of intensity throughout. In order to break down Premier League defences, the Eagles will have to up the tempo when in possession.
Although Palace managed the ball well at times, they only managed to force Leicester keeper Danny Ward into one serious save.
The home side had only one shutout so far this season and Palace rarely looked like stopping Ward rack up a second.
SUBSTITUTIONS FELL FLAT
Patrick Vieira made four changes in order to try and get a response from his team, with Luka Milivojevic, Jairo Reidewald, Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta all introduced during the second half.
In truth, the forward players made little impact and Palace looked even less likely to find the back of the net.
Odsonne Edouard, who registered the only shot on target in the 64th minute, may have felt hard done by having seen the number 22 being held up just a minute later.
Offensively, Palace were second best and had only 12 touches inside the Leicester penalty box, versus the home side’s 33.
SURPRISING ZAHA WITHDRAWAL
A big talking point will be the 77th-minute substitution of Wilfried Zaha.
The Eagles talisman was far from his mesmeric best, but there is little doubt that he has the ability to pull a rabbit out of the hat.
Some will argue that the Ivorian is not exempt from being hauled off, but when a game is the balance such as this, it can often be decided by an individual moment of brilliance, making Vieira’s decision a brave one.
