A late Bakary Sako goal saw Crystal Palace secure a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at Selhurst Park.
Scott Dann headed home the opener in the 70th minute after a Jason Puncheon corner picked him out. The response from Villa was swift. Young winger Adama Traore broke down the wing and played a ball into the box which Papa Souare turned into his own net.
Sako scored the winner in the 87th minute after a turnover from Jordan Amavi was pounced on by Dann. He played the ball through to the ex-Wolves striker who shot beyond Brad Guzan.
Crystal Palace
Alex McCarthy – 6: Had little to deal with throughout the game but stood up when called upon.
Damien Delaney – 6: Was strong in defence all game and made sure Gestede had minimal opportunity.
Papa Souare – 5: Showed some promise when attacking down the wing and worked hard to try and create chances. However, he scored an own goal that made it 1-1.
Scott Dann – 7: Was the standout for the Eagles, scoring one goal and assisting the winner.
Joel Ward – 5: Had a more assured performance at right-back by comparison to last week, but still had some difficulty with many of Villa’s chances coming from his flank.
Yohan Cabaye – 5: Was fairly quiet throughout the game and had a running battle with Jack Grealish before being taken off for Mile Jedinak late in the game.
Jason Puncheon – 6: Another standout for Palace when they were attacking and set up Dann from a corner.
Bakary Sako – 7: Enjoyed a productive debut. Took a while to get into the game but looked better in the second half before scoring the winning goal late.
Jason McArthur – 5: Was again quiet most of the game. Looked to have scored the opener but was ruled out due to being offside.
Wilfried Zaha – 5: Had another frustrating game but looked threating when Palace were on the counter.
Glenn Murray – 5: Was taken off at half time, replaced by Mutch.
Substitutes
Dwight Gayle – 6: Had a great impact on the game and looked threatening.
Jordan Mutch – 7: Was the main threat of the second half after coming on at half time, creating chances from the right side of the field.
Mile Jedinak – N/A: Was unable to have an impact in the eight minutes he was on the pitch.
Aston Villa
Brad Guzan – 6: Had little to deal with in the first half, making only one save and dealt with most of what came his way.
Jordan Amavi – 5: Showed some promise down the left when it came to attacking but gave away possession to Dann; that lead to the match winner.
Micah Richards – 6: Was able to deal with most attacking threats and played through some good passes that sent Villa on counter-attacks.
Ciaran Clark – 5: Caught out from the corner that Dann scored from.
Leandro Bacuna – 4: Allowed too much space for Zaha in the first half and encountered some issues with Guzan due to a breakdown in communication.
Carlos Sanchez – 6: Played the anchor role well and moved the ball quickly when in position
Ashley Westwood – 6: Impressed alongside Sanchez in the Villa midfield.
Idrissa Gueye – 4: Was at the centre of most of the Villa attacks but wasted opportunities that had promise for Villa.
Gabriel Agbonlahor – 5: Had his moments including a one-on-one with McCarthy in the first half but faded afterwards.
Rudy Gestede – 4: Struggled to make an impact in attack.
Jack Grealish – 6: Did well in his first match back from injury. Was at the centre of most of Villa’s play and had a running battle with Cabaye.
Substitutes
Adama Traore – 8: Villa fans have something to look forward to in Traore. Brought plenty of energy and speed down the right and his cross led to Souare scoring an own goal.
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