Crystal Palace Fan View: Clear of the relegation zone... for now

Returning players boost Crystal Palace

Our injury problems have been well documented. Roy Hodgson said that the injury crisis Crystal Palace have experienced in the last few weeks was the single worst one of his entire career. This, from a 70-year-old manager, whose first job in management in the game was over 40 years ago, highlights just how badly we were hit.

Thankfully, it seems that period is drawing to an end. Wilfried Zaha’s return to the starting lineup will rightly be noted as a key reason behind the excellent performance and good result against Huddersfield, but the whole team looked to have more energy and quality. The return of Mamadou Sakho and Yohan Cabaye are a large reason for that.

Both bring a doggedness and quality to the game that just isn’t present in the alternatives. Martin Kelly’s performances have improved under Hodgson’s tutelage, but he is not in the same bracket as Mamadou Sakho. Jairo Reidewald is another player who has done a job in midfield, but the combination of the tireless James McArthur and Yohan Cabaye in the centre of midfield alongside the impeccable Milivojevic is one of the best combinations outside the top five or six.

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Positive attitude reaps rewards

This was a big game for Crystal Palace. After three consecutive losses, two of which we ought to have got something out of, everyone knew the importance of a good result at Huddersfield.

To come out swinging like we did then, was hugely encouraging. Huddersfield will perhaps be disappointed with their performance, but our display from the first whistle went a long way to stifling them. I spoke earlier about the endeavour of Cabaye and; McArthur in forcing the issue, the combination of Zaha and Townsend gave us fantastic outlets. We dominated the play in the first half and though Huddersfield came back into it in the second half, we restricted the amount of chances they created well.

This attitude was exemplified by Luka Milivojevic, for whom I have made no secret of my admiration. Not only did he tuck away the penalty to put the game to bed, but he could well not have been on the pitch. He was repeatedly unwell on Friday night, to the extent that he didn’t give any post-match interviews he was so tired, but he had to play a part because he knew the importance of the game.

What better example is there than that?

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Other results go our way

While we were missing opportunities to pick up valuable points, it seemed every other team at the bottom of the table were picking up points. On the same weekend in which we lost to an injury-time winner against Manchester United, Brighton beat Arsenal, Swansea battered West Ham and Watford picked up three points.

This weekend, a good win has seen us rise to the lofty heights of 16th. The table at this moment is of no consequence, but we need to beat our direct competitors, such as Huddersfield, and hope that there aren’t too many shocks elsewhere. That was the case on Saturday.

While Crystal Palace picked up all three points, Stoke lost at home to Everton, dropping them into the relegation zone, West Brom were cut further adrift as they failed to win, and even Watford aren’t quite out of it after their humbling at Liverpool. Of course, we must still pick up three or four more wins to ensure survival, but it sure as hell helps if other teams aren’t pulling away as you try to do so.