Perspective
is sometimes something difficult to grasp in the midst of a heavy derby day
defeat. Especially in a Championship run in when the prospect of automatic
promotion remains very much on the line. Yet perspective must be maintained as
it remains crucial as a supporter to hold your nerve at this point of the
season, even in the face of derby disappointment. Playing twenty four hours
after Watford, Hull City, and Cardiff at the top of the league meant it was
known to Palace before kickoff that victory would sent them in to second place.
Reality of defeat at the Ammex, painful and disappointing though it is does mean
not much has changed in the race for second place.
Brighton scored
two goals in the final five minutes of the first half on Sunday. A back post header
from Leonardo Ulloa and a stoppage time free kick from David Lopez put Brighton
2 – 0 up at the break. Yet the score line at half time flattered the hosts
given the even run of play in the first half. Palace was unlucky to find
themselves two down but was punished for not taking their chances in the preceding
forty minutes. The goals gave impetus to Brighton’s second half display but had
earlier chances from Parr, Murray, and a mistake from Brighton’s defender Upson
been taken by Palace then maybe the game could have been different.
The hosts
ultimately gained the upper hand because this was a poor Palace performance
where the team and individuals within it were clinically punished for making
mistakes. KG Dikgacoi unnecessary challenge on Will Buckley gave Lopez, a free
kick expert, the chance to punish Palace with pin point accuracy doubling the
lead. The first goal came from another unnecessary challenge on the left
allowing easy delivery for Ulloa’s header. Could this result have been down to
complacency given Palace’s excellent record over Brighton, especially on the
South Coast over the last twenty five years? The Seagulls fans certainly
revelled in the result!
In the
second half Ian Holloway tried to change things. He made a double substitution bringing
on Andre Moritz and Kevin Phillips for Jonny Williams and Yannick Bolasie.
Later throwing on an extra attacker in Aaron Wilbraham for Peter Ramage to try
and make a difference. The atrocious wet weather conditions played a part after
the break but Palace looked disjointed and did not get a shot on goal until the
hour mark. In the intervening period Brighton wrapped up the match. Leonardo
Ulloa scored his second goal of the match on fifty minutes effectively killing
the game. The result ended 3 – 0 to Brighton.
Painful
though this result is, it is not yet May. Right now Crystal Palace finds itself
in a great position. In fourth place, with a cushion of six points to seventh
place they are a mere three points off the second automatic promotion place. With
thirty eight matches played Palace are excellently positioned for the run in
and as stated at the beginning of this report, perspective is key, even if when
reading this Eagles fans like me are disappointed.
The best way
to look at it in my opinion is thus; with eight matches left of the regular
season Palace has a real chance of getting automatic promotion. If we fail in
this objective we get a second chance at the same goal through the Playoffs.
How sweet in that eventuality a positive result at the Ammex would turn out to
be come May! This team has been through a massive amount together already this
season including having a manager walk out on them. Yet throughout everything
they have remained together and strong as a unit.
If losing 3 –
0 to Brighton can ever happen at a right time this could perhaps be it. It
gives Palace time and opportunity in the season to bounce back. Ian Holloway
will get the team to regroup as a unit and deliver a counter punch and possibly
the perfect knockout blow to the rest by winning promotion in May. March is not
May after all! Come on Palace.
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