Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace continue their barren start to the Premier League, with the Eagles still searching for their first league victory of the season.
Palace did record draws against Chelsea, Leicester and Man United in September to earn their first points of the new season, but a disappointing defeat to Everton has soured the mood around Selhurst Park.
Here is VAVEL UK's Crystal Palace September review:
-
Rundown of Results
Written by William Fortune
Palace started the month by travelling to Stamford Bridge to face Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.
Glasner’s side found themselves 1-0 down in the 25th minute courtesy of a goal by Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson. The Chelsea attacker tapped into the net after a precise ball from Cole Palmer.
Cheick Doucoure was brought on from the bench in the 50th minute and changed the game, winning 100% of his ground duels, completing 11/12 passes and making one successful dribble.
Palace eventually got back into the game after a cracking 20 yard strike from Eberechi Eze. The result earned Palace their first point of the season, and was the first time that the South London club had avoided defeat against Chelsea since 2017.
Next up for Crystal Palace was a visit from newly promoted Leicester.
This game saw three changes to the starting eleven. Debuts were handed to deadline day arrivals Maxence Lacroix and Eddie Nketiah.
Doucoure was also brought in to replace Will Hughes in midfield. This was his first start in the Premier League since suffering an Achilles injury in a 2-1 defeat to Luton last November. Unfortunately the Malian midfielder picked up another injury in this match and is expected to return after the October international break.
Leicester went 2-0 up through goals from Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi. However, the Eagles fought back through Jean-Philippe Mateta who got on the end of a Tyrick Mitchell cross shortly after Mavididi's goal.
The Frenchman sealed the Palace comeback in added time, scoring from the penalty spot after Conor Coady had brought Ismaila Sarr down with a reckless challenge.
Following the Leicester draw, Palace travelled to Queens Park Rangers in the EFL Cup third round, with Eze returning to face his former club.
Glasner named a strong eleven for the game as the Eagles progressed to round four for the first time since the 2018/19 season.
Nketiah put Palace 1-0 up. This was his first goal for the club as he received a free kick from Eze and struck calmly into the far-left side of the net.
Former West Brom midfielder Sam Field equalised early in the second half but Palace earned victory when former R’s man Eze grabbed the winner with a deflected shot from distance.
After the cup victory, Palace faced Erik ten Hag’s Man United, still searching for their first league win.
The Red Devils had many opportunities with Matthijs de Ligt finding himself open with a free header on multiple occasions from set pieces.
The South London club grew into the game whilst Dean Henderson put in a stellar display to shut out the United attack. The England international made seven saves which was the joint most Henderson has ever made in a Premier League game, earning his side a 0-0 draw.
The Eagles then travelled to Merseyside to face Everton at Goodison Park, where Palace have failed to win a game since 2014.
That wait would continue.
Palace went a goal up when an Adam Wharton lofted ball was headed down by Lacroix, and captain Guehi was on hand to bundle the ball past Pickford.
Unfortunately for Palace they were unable to hold onto their lead. Kamada misplaced a pass to Eze which allowed Dwight McNeil the chance to thunder a strike home into the top left corner from edge of the area.
McNeil would net again net again to make it 2-1 moments later, arriving at the back post to fire past Henderson and Palace were unable to find a way back into this game.
-
Goal of the Month
Goal of the month goes to a fantastic strike from Eze to equalise for Palace in the 1-1 draw versus Chelsea. After going a goal behind after a lacklustre first half performance, a resurgent Palace fought back in the second 45 minutes and were rewarded when the England international fired the Eagles level.
Doucoure had seen his effort blocked by a Chelsea defender, but the ball ricocheted back to Eze, who took one touch with his right foot to set himself, before curling a scintillating effort into the top right corner of Robert Sanchez's goal.
The moment of magic helped Palace earn their first point of the new Premier League campaign, and demonstrated their resilience to fight back from behind to share the spoils against the Blues.
-
Player of the Month - Marc Guehi
Written by Will Heaver
In a winless month for Crystal Palace, not many have stood out at Selhurst Park. Only one man has been consistent throughout though and that is centre-half Marc Guehi.
The England international, who was part of a much publicised transfer saga between Palace and Newcastle United, has been the only constant in a much changed defence due to injuries and new signings.
Guehi has the highest percentage in duels won among Premier League centre-backs, winning 72% of contests.
Glasner has put plenty of faith in the 24-year-old, moving Guehi to the middle of the back three. Alongside the improving Maxence Lacroix and Trevoh Chalobah, Glasner will be hopeful the tri0 can provide a solid defensive platform for Palace to build upon.
Guehi’s distribution has also improved, with the England centre-back taking on more responsibility with distribution since moving into the centre of the back three, taking over the void vacated by Joachim Anderson after his departure to Fulham. Glasner will hope that Guehi's splendid form will only continue as Palace look for their first league win.
-
What is next for the Eagles?
The international break provides Palace a chance to regroup, and Glasner will know the magnitude of the match against Forest when the Premier League resumes. The Eagles will hope the break allows their players sufficient rest with several looking weary in the opening weeks after a summer of international football.
A tough match against Tottenham will follow at Selhurst Park, with the Eagles hoping to find that elusive first Premier League win.
Glasner will then prepare his side for the EFL Cup tie against Aston Villa, with Palace hoping to deepen their cup run.
October Fixtures
Monday 21st October - Nottingham Forest (A)
Sunday 27th October - Tottenham (H)
Wednesday 30th October - Aston Villa (A)
