Ben Pringle and Pape Souaré's goals either side of the half-time interval ensured both sides shared the spoils in their final pre-season friendly before the league season kicks off in just under a week's time.

Despite a nervy start to proceedings from both sets of players, the hosts broke the deadlock after just six minutes on the clock. One of Kit Symon's summer signings in Pringle, opened the scoring with a low drive which nestled into the bottom corner of the net. Although it was a well-taken effort from the Newcastle-born midfielder, goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey will have no doubt felt disappointed to be beaten, especially because he got fingertips to the strike.

Eagles fail to take their chances

Palace had their fair share of a few half-chances to get back into the match, but their lack of a clinical edge hurt them upon occasion when they burst forward goalwards. Glenn Murray was sloppy in-front of goal and missed a few opportunities to level the scoring - his shooting was rather off-target and wayward despite using his tactical awareness to frustrate the Whites' backline at times.

The Cottagers were enjoying spells of possession in midfield, but struggled to really unlock the Palace defence with the final ball lacking. Yohan Cabaye struggled to stamp his authority on the game despite a few neat touches past the centre-circle, and it was clear as the half-time whistle blew that Alan Pardew's men needed more of an attacking impetus. Yannick Bolasie, last season's revelation, was left out of the matchday squad completely as he has a knock - whilst former Manchester United man Wilfried Zaha was surprisingly on the substitutes' bench.

Pardew's men crying out for attacking flair

However, as the second-half kicked off, the match improved in terms of quality and end-to-end action all-round. Zaha was brought on into the fray as the second 45 began, met by applause around the ground at Craven Cottage - everyone knew the flair and skill he possessed. The talented Englishman was a constant threat on the flank going forward, and often skinned his opponents with relative ease, much to the pleasure of the travelling away fans who chanted "He's just too good for you, he's just too good for you - Zaha!"

Souaré nets first Palace goal

The scores were level just four minutes after the restart, with Pape Souaré netting his first Palace goal since joining the club in the January transfer window. Andy Lonergan made a brilliant low save to his right, meaning a corner-kick was up next. It was defended rather poorly from the hosts, and the left-back took full advantage with a header cannoning into the top corner off the crossbar.

Scoreline stays level, an intriguing contest

Although both sides had chances to get themselves in-front, the scoreline finished one-all. A match which started slowly, and livened up in the second-half, a pre-season friendly to enjoy for everyone watching on in west London.

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Mosope Ominiyi
Writer and editor - European football analyst, youth enthusiast. Email: [email protected]