Why Vicente Guaita’s injury came at the worst time for Crystal Palace

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Just as Crystal Palace appeared to have settled on their number one goalkeeper, star performer Vicente Guaita was forced off against Watford this weekend.

With the Spaniard asserting himself as one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers in the past month, the injury to Guaita has truly come at the worst time for Roy Hodgson’s side.

When Guaita came off against the Hornets, Palace were 1-0 up. After Wayne Hennessey entered the fray, Watford scored two second-half goals to claim a 2-1 victory.

For Craig Cathcart’s opening strike off a corner, the Welsh international was caught in no-man’s land when coming off his line, and ended up being easily beat at his near post for the equaliser.

Minutes later, Tom Cleverley won the game with a stunning volley that Hennessey could do little about.

After the match, Hodgson told football.london that Guaita’s injury appeared to be a muscle concern, indicating a more serious issue that could see the goalkeeper sidelined for a lengthy period of time.

Palace had enjoyed an excellent run of form after Guaita took over the number one role due to Hennessey’s injury back in December, with the Eagles conceding just three goals in the five league matches the Spaniard had started before Saturday.

Now Wayne Hennessey will have a chance to convince Roy Hodgson to reinstate him as permanent number one, but Palace fans will be devastated if the in-form Vicente Guaita faces a long injury layoff.