Crystal Palace 2-2 Southampton: Player ratings from entertaining draw

Crystal Palace and Southampton played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night.

It was a first half of two halves, with the hosts flying out of the blocks and taking the lead inside two minutes through Wilfried Zaha, who was gifted too much space inside the penalty area and smashed the ball inside the near post.

Palace remained in the ascendancy in a raucous atmosphere, and centre-back James Tomkins controlled the ball in the penalty area before testing Willy Caballero in the Saints goal.

Odsonne Edouard should have converted from a low Zaha cross midway through the half before Southampton turned the game on its head.

First, James Ward-Prowse whipped a trademark free kick into the top corner, and two minutes later Armando Broja pounced on a loose ball before pinging a low shot past Jack Butland to make it 2-1 ten minutes before half-time.

Palace got back onto the front foot in the second half and Edouard forced Caballero into a smart double save from the angle. The Eagles got onto terms when the Argentine saved again from the Frenchman, but the loose ball rolled into the path of Jordan Ayew who gleefully smashed home.

Both sides remained positive and went in search of a winner thereafter, although the players did seem to tire.

It finished 2-2 - here's how the players rated as both sides remain in the bottom half of the Premier League...


CRYSTAL PALACE PLAYER RATINGS

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Butland celebrates the leveller | Ben Hoskins/GettyImages

Jack Butland (GK) - 5/10 - Got a hand to Ward-Prowse's free kick, so may feel he could have done better. No chance with Broja's strike.

Joel Ward (RB) - 5/10 - Solid enough if unspectacular, winning the majority of his ground duels.

James Tomkins (CB) - 7/10 - Almost scored in the first half after a good touch. Booked for a cynical foul. Decent form continues.

Marc Guehi (CB) - 6/10 - Booked after losing possession to former teammate Broja and pulling him back. Generally solid.

Tyrick Mitchell (LB) - 6/10 - Another solid performance. Made a few important recoveries out of position.


2. Midfielders

Hughes and Gallagher impressed again | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

Conor Gallagher (CM) - 7/10 - In the thick of the action as usual, but not quite to the level of the other night. Looked a little leggy.

Will Hughes (CM) - 7/10 - Brilliant tackle in the build-up to the opener. Always up for the physical battle despite his stature, although his foul was punished by Ward-Prowse.

Cheikhou Kouyaté (CM) - 6/10 - Kept his passing concise and won seven out of nine duels. Subbed.


3. Forwards

Zaha bangs in the opener | Tom Dulat/GettyImages

Jordan Ayew (RW) - 8/10 - Worked hard as usual and scored his first goal in 43 games! Subbed.

Odsonne Edouard (ST) - 7/10 - Involved in both goals - assisting Zaha - but should have scored his own. Some nice touches.

Wilfried Zaha (LW) - 7/10 - Made light work of his early chance, banging it home. Put in a typically big shift.


4. Substitutes

Christian Benteke (ST) - 6/10 - Put himself about and his presence had an effect with the equaliser.

Michael Olise (RW) - 6/10 - Looked lively.

Joachim Andersen (CB) - N/A


SOUTHAMPTON PLAYER RATINGS

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Lyanco marks Ayew | Tom Dulat/GettyImages

Willy Caballero (GK) - 5/10 - Left his near post exposed for the opener and was unlucky to see Ayew fire home following a good save.

Tino Livramento (RB) - 6/10 - Not able to attack as much as we've become accustomed to but did his defensive work well.

Lyanco (CB) - 6/10 - Some erratic moments, including not shutting Zaha down. Booked but looked more solid as match progressed.

Mohammed Salisu (CB) - 6/10 - Pretty solid night's work alongside Lyanco.

Kyle Walker-Peters (LB) - 7/10 - Played really well at both ends and got an assist to boot. Good night's work.


6. Midfielders

Ward-Prowse's free kick was perfect | Ben Hoskins/GettyImages

Oriol Romeu (DM) - 6/10 - Gave the ball away before Zaha scored. Blasted a shot just over before being lucky to escape punishment for a couple of fouls on Gallagher.

James Ward-Prowse (CM) - 7/10 - Wonderful free kick, demonstrating his ridiculous technique again.

Will Smallbone (CM) - 6/10 - The youngster put in a decent shift before being subbed. Spurned a half-chance.


7. Forwards

Broja fires home | Ben Hoskins/GettyImages

Nathan Redmond (RW) - 5/10 - Pretty quiet compared to his attacking colleagues.

Armando Broja (ST) - 8/10 - Worked hard and showed his demonstrated his finishing ability with an excellent strike. Subbed.

Nathan Tella (LW) - 7/10 - Very busy and hard-working all night long, but always posed a threat going forward with his pace.


8. Substitutes

Shane Long (ST) - 5/10 - Unable to capitalise on a couple of half-openings.

Moussa Djenepo (LW) - N/A

Theo Walcott (RW) - N/A



Source : 90min