Brentford vs Crystal Palace 23/24

Hi everyone,

Hope you’re all well.

On Saturday 26th August 2023, Crystal Palace travelled to the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford in a Premier League match. The transport on the way there was good as we were able to get a direct bus from my university, but on the way home it was much trickier with Kew Bridge not being wheelchair accessible, though TFL eventually sorted a taxi for us to get home!

Crystal Palace were coming into the game off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal, though should still have confidence after a good performance against former league title contenders!

Brentford, however, won their last game 3-0 away to Fulham, with their opening game being a 2-2 draw at home to Tottenham emphasising their goal threat. Last season the teams shared the points in both fixtures with Brentford stealing the point in the final ten minutes of each game. Who, if any, would come out on top today?

Roy Hodgson once again named an unchanged lineup from the first two opening games of the season.

In a scrappy and wet game Joachim Andersen’s second-half equaliser saw Crystal Palace draw 1-1 away to Brentford.

It was Crystal Palace who had the first early chance as Ebere Eze stole a loose ball of the Brentford midfielder and drove towards goal, his subsequent strike was low and didn’t cause Mark Flekken any issues in the Brentford goal.

As the heavens above opened releasing a sudden torrential downpour, as did Palace’s back line allowing Kevin Schade to cut inside from the left wing and curl the ball into the far top corner out of reach of Sam Johnstone to put Brentford ahead.

The game was scrappy with neither team gaining control of possession, trying to find an equaliser Palace could only create half chances including a headed effort from Jordan Ayew which went wide of the post. Eze managed to weave his way through the men in red and white advancing up pitch, but his shot was blocked by Rico Henry.

Brentford’s Yoane Wissa had the opportunity to double his teams lead from a corner after being left unmarked at the back post, but he could only direct his chance over the bar.

In the second half Palace came out looking a lot brighter, Cheick Doucouré and Jefferson Lerma managed to gain more control of the match allowing more chances to be created for the visitors.

Jordan Ayew’s constant pressure earned him a free kick on the edge of the box, with Odsonne Edouard taking responsibility, he produced best attempt of the half so far forcing Flekken to palm over the bar.

The Brentford keeper was called to action once again making a super double save from an Eze corner. The first was from a Lerma header toward the bottom corner and the second a fast reaction block to stop Ayew’s follow up shot.

With just over ten minutes on the clock Palace’s equaliser came in the least expected way! Joachim Andersen played a one-two with Ayew as he advanced towards the bi-line, the centre back’s touch was heavy but his sliding pass slowly wriggled through the legs of the goalkeeper and over the line of an empty net to get the scores back level.

Carrying momentum from the goal Palace almost got a late winner with Tyrick Mitchell’s cross being deflected just wide of the post.

It was the hosts who had the stronger finish, but some hard work from Marc Guehi and Joel ward saw the game end 1-1. The result became the fifth successive league encounter ending in a draw again!

I definitely don’t think it was Palace’s best performance at a wet London derby, with passing and set piece deliveries not being up to scratch but after a strong second half they probably did deserve the point. I was impressed by Chieck Doucouré and his partnership with Jefferson Lerma allowing Palace to push on for the equaliser, along with Jordan Ayew again standing out with his constant pressure and intensity.

Palace’s next game is home to Wolverhampton on Sunday 3rd September, so look out for that post along with the under 21’s game against Fulham on Monday 28th!

Thank you for reading

Ellie Xx