Crystal Palace picked up an important three points on Sunday afternoon, hammering West Bromwich Albion 5-1 at The Hawthorns.
The Eagles broke the deadlock inside ten minutes, after Darnell Furlong turned Wilfried Zaha's low cross past Sam Johnstone and into his own net. The hosts were incensed that a free-kick was not awarded in their favour in the buildup to the goal, but VAR decided no infringement had been committed.
The hosts fought back on the half-hour mark, when Conor Gallagher slotted home from the edge of the box from a Furlong cut-back. West Brom's joy didn't last long however, as Matheus Pereira received his marching orders only four minutes later for an off-the-ball incident.
Is that enough for a red card? ?pic.twitter.com/k2JcviR1JJ
— 90min (@90min_Football) December 6, 2020
Palace made their man advantage count in the second half, with Zaha putting the Eagles ahead once more with a stunning curling shot into the far corner. They quickly doubled their lead through a Christian Benteke header, putting the game to bed.
The visitors were not finished, either. Zaha rounded off a lovely Ebere Eze run to add a fourth on 68 minutes and Benteke hit his second to sink the relegation-threatened Baggies.
Let's take a look at the player ratings from a one-sided afternoon at the Hawthorns.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
1. Goalkeeper & Centre-Backs
Sam Johnstone (GK) - 5/10 - Had no chance in stopping the own goal, which was past him in the blink of an eye. No way he was keeping Zaha's gem out, either. Left horribly exposed for the rest.
Semi Ajayi (CB) - 5/10 - What a pass to split Palace's backline in half for the equaliser! But Zaha's class eventually proved too much against ten men, and the defender crumbled.
Branislav Ivanovic (CB) - 4/10 - Battled with Benteke and had some fun duels with former teammate Gary Cahill from corners. Too much shoddy distribution and not the display of an experienced head.
Kyle Bartley (CB) - 5/10 - Pulled off some crucial last-gasp headers to keep Benteke out, but teammates collapsed around him. Didn't cover himself in glory, either.
2. Midfielders & Wing-Backs
Darnell Furlong (RWB) - 5/10 - Kicked the game off on the wrong foot, poking the ball into his own net. Nightmare. Almost made amends with a bullet header that rattled the crossbar. Lovely run and cut back to supply the equaliser. All at sea in the second half.
Conor Gallagher (CM) - 6/10 - Pressed high up the pitch and played some neat balls between the lines to find Pereira in space. Showed great composure to slot home the equaliser very coolly. Threw in a cheeky dive in the second half. Boo.
Romaine Sawyers (CM) - 5/10 - Booked early on for stopping Schlupp from breaking, and had to walk a tightrope for the rest of the game. Left no mark on the match.
Matt Phillips (LWB) 5/10 - Lovely floated cross to almost assist the equaliser. Often popped up at the back stick to latch onto crosses. Not a defender, and it showed.
3. Forwards
Matheus Pereira (RW) - 3/10 - Red card might be seen as a bit harsh, but perhaps he shouldn’t boot the chest of a Palace player next time.
Grady Diangana (LW) - 4/10 - A quiet afternoon for the winger, who is yet to really show his worth in the Premier League.
Karlan Grant (ST) - 5/10 - Became isolated after the red card, though that was hardly his fault.
4. Substitutes
Filip Krovinovic (CM) - 5/10
Callum Robinson (LW) - 5/10
Dara O'Shea (CB) - 5/10
CRYSTAL PALACE
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Vicente Guaita (GK) - 7/10 - Didn't stand much chance in stopping the sweet Gallagher strike. Nothing else really to do.
Nathaniel Clyne (RB) - 7/10 - Looked to get up in support of the action, although a lot of Palace's play came down the left flank.
Cheikhou Kouyate (CB) - 7/10 - Solid despite playing out of position. Dealt with the West Brom threat comfortably.
Gary Cahill (CB) - 8/10 - Unlucky for the Gallagher strike, having initially blocked the first cross competently. Had a powerful effort at goal cleared. So reliable.
Patrick van Aanholt (LB) - 7/10 - Involved in the controversial red card, although didn't make too much of a meal of it, in fairness. Caught out down his flank for the equaliser by some smart play. Stuck in the cross for Benteke to score.
6. Midfielders
Jeffrey Schlupp (RM) - 7/10 - Broke with speed and drove with intensity from the midfield. Drew an early yellow card with his direct running. Relentless.
Luka Milivojevic (CM) - 7/10 - Won his duels in the midfield and set Palace moving with some quick passing. Picked up a late yellow.
James McArthur (CM) - 8/10 - Got the assist for Zaha's wonder strike, rolling it into his path. Collected a yellow card in a typically battling display.
Ebere Eze (LM) - 9/10 - Floated and glided around the pitch, drawing fouls and dancing through challenges. Such a delightful player on the eye. Dazzled to assist the fourth, slaloming through a series of tackles. Wow.
7. Forwards
Christian Benteke (ST) - 8/10 - First start of the season, and took a while to get into the game. SCORED TWO GOALS IN THE SECOND HALF. Right place, right time to nod home from a nice cross and a clinical finish for the second. No one deserved it more.
Wilfried Zaha (ST) - 9/10 - Did all the hard work for the opening goal (some may argue unlawfully), but his wicked low cross was filled with venom. Put Palace ahead with a gorgeous curler into the far corner. Mercilessly buried the fourth. On fire.
8. Substitutes
Jairo Riedewald (CM) - 7/10
Jordan Ayew (ST) - 7/10
Michy Batshuayi (ST) - 6/10
Source: 90min
