Crystal Palace have had a fantastic start to the Premier League season, winning all but one of their first four games with the only stutter at home in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Arsenal. The Eagles will now host Manchester City on the back of a morale boosting win over Chelsea, that was only Jose Mourinho’s second home loss at Stamford Bridge.
Alan Pardew’s men are proving that they are more than just a mid-table team after putting in some impressive performances, but next face a ruthless City side who have yet to drop a single point.
Palace have shown that they do not fear anyone and have played some eye catching attacking football, while also remaining fairly tight at the back. They grabbed all three points in the same fixture during the 2014-15 campaign and a win, or reward of any sort against the current the league leaders is definitely not impossible, but the Eagles will have to be at their very best if they want to make this a reality. There has been some stand-out idividuals so far and you can be assured that Manuel Pellegrini will be wary not to get too complacent against a confident Palace side.
Outside90’s Rahul Dantes takes a look at three Palace players that could have a major part to play in Saturday’s clash between the top two teams in the league.
Joel Ward
A surprising pick, but one that is hard to argue, considering the Englishman has scored two goals from the right-back position against Arsenal and Chelsea. The 25-year-old has been adventurous in his forward runs while also remaining solid in defence. He has already faced and done fantastic job of defending against both the likes of Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez.. A different challenge awaits against Raheem Sterling though, whose pace and trickery can be troublesome for any defence. Ward will already have done his side a major favour if he can keep Sterling quiet on the day, it is a tough ask but judging by recent form, he certainly can prove to be a roadblock in the Palace back four.
Yohan Cabaye
The Frenchman reunited with Alan Pardew after the two worked together at Newcastle, Palace’s most expensive signing following his transfer from Paris St Germain. He is showing exactly why the Eagles smashed their club transfer record, scoring on his debut against Norwich and has since continued to be a strong influence. He is able to control the midfield and has the vision to seemingly pick out a teammate from the other end of the pitch.
Cabaye will have to work hard against tough opponents in Yaya Toure, David Silva and Fernandinho. It certainly will not be an easy day for the Palace midfield, especially with captain Mile Jedinak out injured.
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Bakary Sako
Another one of Crystal Palace’s new signings and arguably the most effective, Sako joined Palace on a free transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers this season and has already adapted perfectly into the side. He has appeared only twice since his arrival and has managed a goal in each of those games.
The French-born Mali international can play either on the wings, or just behind the striker and the City defence will want to keep a close eye out to ensure that he does not make it three goals in three appearances for his new side. Sako will also not have it easy, however, coming up against the best defence in the league who are yet concede once.
Palace fans will be fairly confident ahead of this game, but we have seen the Sky Blues’ quality this season and with new signing Kevin De Bruyne, they only look stronger. If City are to get all three points at Selhurst Park, they will move a minimum of four points clear at the top.
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