Analyzing Crystal Palace’s crucial victory against relegation rivals Middlesbrough

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One weekend, the writing on the wall is set, and the next hope is reinvigorated. Sam Allardyce’s Crystal Palace reasserted themselves in the Premier League as the Eagles took down Middlesbrough at home in South London on Saturday. Finally, Big Sam’s lads rid themselves of their Selhurst Park nerves and put in an energetic and confidence-boosting performance against fellow relegation strugglers to lift themselves out of the relegation zone, at least temporarily, as Leicester face Liverpool on Monday.

It wasn’t the most commanding of displays but there were many positives on show at SE25.

Palace’s first-half display was significantly stronger than the second half, with the Eagles controlling more of the possession in the first half than the second. In the opening 45 minutes, the hosts were particularly energetic and controlling of the ball, pressing high and moving possession forward quickly.

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Zaha was pivotal for the Eagles at the start, beaming with confidence and a desire to take on ‘Boro defenders. On several occasions in the first half, the Ivorian took the ball on the wing and terrorized Fabio and Daniel Ayala with his cut-ins and change of pace. His service was decent, causing trouble but never able to create a significant opportunity.

In the 34th minute, Palace took a well-deserved lead with a beautifully measured strike by full-back Patrick Van Aanholt that squeezed between the limit of Victor Valdes’ reach and the far post.

Mamadou Sakho showed his worth as a reinforcement to Palace’s lineup in the first half when Alvaro Negredo headed a ball down to Cristian Stuani on the edge of the six-yard box. With a delicate and skillful tackle, Sakho was able to poke the ball away from what would’ve been a sure-fire goalscoring opportunity, had Stuani been allowed to turn and shoot. Wayne Hennessey was not tested much in the first-half at all.

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The second half was nervier, Palace sat back deeper and allowed ‘Boro more time on the ball and a greater share of possession. The chances for the visitors came more and more and the Eagles looked shakier at the back. Wayne Hennessey was forced into a reflex parry to keep the game level and the defensive organization of the Eagles was tested with more and more balls into the box. In the end, the Eagles held out.

Patrick Van Aanholt improved massively after his last performance at Selhurst, in the catastrophic 4-0 capitulation against Sunderland. Against ‘Boro he was more disciplined and his work rate was high, offering Zaha support going forward. Van Aanholt also showcased his goalscoring ability at an opportune time, with a beautifully measured strike from the edge of the area that was just out of Victor Valdes’ reach and inside the far post. The Dutchman still showed some defensive weakness, however, with some poor positioning in the second half that allowed Roon and Fabio to get to the byline.

With Palace’s 4-1-4-1 lineup, new signing Luka Milivojevic orchestrated Palace attacks, distributing the ball about Middlesbrough’s half with some reliable passing. However, the real creative influence came from captain-for-the-day Jason Puncheon, who galavanted around the pitch weaving in and out of ‘Boro defenders and playing dangerous forward passes. Puncheon was key to Palace’s attacking creativity and probed Middlesbrough’s defense the most.

A greater sense of confidence going forward was apparent in the first half. Something worked in training this week for Palace as midfielders Jason Puncheon and Yohan Cabaye were confident in committing themselves forward, with Milivojevic providing much-missed industry and coverage in front of the defenders after the summer departure of Mile Jedinak.

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Cristian Benteke also put in a good shift today, especially in the second half when Palace started to hit ‘Boro harder on the counter attack. He served the Eagles well in holding up clearances as he waited for support from wide players and was also useful in defending the aerial onslaught that the Eagles fended off towards the end of the match.

There is still uncertainty at the back. The Eagles sat back and allowed ‘Boro to play the ball in the second half as they nervously tried to shut the game out by frustrating the visitors, revealing an inner insecurity in the back-four still. However, James Tomkins and Sakho proved to be a well-organized and disciplined pairing. Joel Ward was better defensively but still showed attacking weakness.

Work still has to be done as the Eagles were in a similar position after their 2-0 win against Bournemouth. However, this win has boosted morale in South London.