A first half
goal from Glenn Murray was cancelled out by a good strike from Barnsley’s David
Perkins just four minutes from the end at Oakwell as the game ended 1 – 1. A
difficult night for Crystal Palace both the players and supporters given the
managerial situation was characterised by fantastic professionalism from the
players backed by loud, proud, and passionate support from the fans. A small
band of supporters left stunned and shell shocked by earlier events backed the
team and appreciated their efforts in difficult circumstances.
Joel Ward
came in for the suspended Dean Moxey as Delaney partnered Ramage in the centre
of defence. With Jonathan Parr at left back Andre Moritz came in for the
suspended Zaha with Murray playing up front. Garvan, KG and Bolasie and Jedinak played
across the midfield. Palace took the lead through a well worked team goal. KG broke up play and combined with the lively Moritz to spread the ball wide to Parr who crossed
for Murray to knock in to the net continuing his recent impressive goal scoring
record. Palace had a platform to build upon that unfortunately they could not
capitalise upon. Yet an impressive defensive performance spearheaded by hard work from the entire team saw the backline
breached a mere four minutes from time from a strike from distance.
Potentially
Palace lost touch with the top of the table but under the circumstances the
team worked incredibly hard and carried a threat on the counter all night through
the pace and creativity of Bolasie and Moritz. When one considers Zaha’s absence
the depth of Palace’s squad away from home, without a manager Palace have a
deeper squad than they have had for a number of seasons. Some of the credit for
this could go to Freedman.
Barnsley
came into the match in the second half but Palace’s defending was solid and
well organised a possible characteristic of Lennie Lawrence and Curtis Fleming
who deserve credit for the way they prepared the team and the tactical
preparation that went into the game on short notice. The hard work and passion
put into the performance by the players was a credit to the team and shows what
a great club Crystal Palace is to support. Backed by a loud travelling support
Palace left South Yorkshire with a hard earned useful point. Palace travel to league
leaders Leicester City on Saturday
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