After Eddie Nketiah was tripped in the penalty area by Sam Johnstone in the 53rd minute, the team captain delicately booted the ball into the net. Takehiro Tomiyasu then received two yellow cards and was forced to quit the game. Since May 2022, we haven’t had a player sent off in a Premier League game. After that, though, Mikel Arteta’s squad played excellent defense to maintain their advantage and secure the victory. With six out of a possible six points to open the season, they did so due to their strong defense
A Slow Start
The beginning of the game wasn’t as outstanding, despite the fact that there was a lot of excitement with fireworks, flames, loud music, and cheerleaders when the teams came out. Goal-scoring opportunities were better for the home team. Eberechi Eze fired a shot at the 15-minute mark, which our goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale easily stopped. Cheick Doucoure then fired a powerful shot from a distance that sailed past our goal and into the home crowd.
We improved our play as the game went on. Around 28 minutes into the game, Kai Havertz received possession of the ball from the opposing team and transferred it to Eddie Nketiah between two defenders named Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi. He was successful in keeping the ball away from both defenders, and he then fired a shot that struck the post and missed.
Eddie Nketiah soon received another opportunity as our squad continued to advance. He received the ball from Odegaard and Declan Rice and found himself up against Sam Johnstone, the goalie for the opposition. He attempted to elevate the ball over the keeper, but it crossed the crossbar instead.
Our skipper attempted to score from a distance with a dipping shot right as the first half came to a close. Johnstone, the goalkeeper for the opposition, had to leap and push the ball over the crossbar. Then, following a pass from Thomas Partey, Gabriel Martinelli attempted to score but missed the goal.
Breakthrough in the Second Half
The Players kept that momentum going into the second half, and we were able to make the coveted breakthrough within eight minutes. The Eagles relaxed when we earned a free kick, which allowed Martinelli to steal Nketiah in on goal before Johnstone was able to bring him down. Odegaard was given the opportunity to go up and miss the home goalkeeper from 12 yards after a VAR review.
Chances to potentially end the game were missed by Partey, and Havertz subsequently missed the post with a shot. However, the game took a turn for the worse in minute 67. Jordan Ayew spun away from Tomiyasu, who had already received a caution for delaying a throw-in, and he was given a second yellow, albeit replays revealed the touch was hardly there.
Holding Onto the Lead
From that point on, as Palace probed to try to take advantage of their man advantage. It was about digging in and trying to hold onto our one-goal lead. As Mikel Arteta tried his best to get us through the fourth quarter, Gabriel and Jorginho were thrown on to calm the ship.
It worked, and even though Palace spent the majority of the remaining play in our half, we were able to keep them from creating much of a threat. However, when Odsonne Edouard blasted a header from a wonderful Tyrick Mitchell crossway wide their big chance was lost.
After a scramble in the box and seven minutes of stoppage time, we successfully denied Roy Hodgson’s team any further opportunities when Mitchell blasted a half-volley over. Our players erupted in jubilant celebrations at the final whistle, proud that they had overcome hardship to secure consecutive victories.
Notable Achievements and Statistics
A clean sheet on the road in the Premier League for the 200th time tonight. The passing Chelsea (204) and Manchester United (205). We have maintained a clean sheet in 28 of our 68 away games under Mikel Arteta (41%). The only time they have a better Premier League record is under Bruce Rioch (8/19 – 42% – minimum five games). Since he did so for Vitesse against De Graafschap in the Eredivisie in May 2019. Martin Odegaard also has taken and scored his first penalty in a league game.
Martin Odegaard is actually only the third player (after Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, both with 16 goals). And have at least 10 Premier League goals scored away from home since the start of last season. Prior to today, Selhurst Park had not suffered a league loss under Roy Hodgson (P5 W3 D2). And in the 11 Premier League seasons since 2013–14 (W1 D2 L8), only one home league victory has occurred.
For the first time since a run of three victories between October 2013 and August 2015. They have now defeated Palace twice in a row on the road in the league. Which we have won 13 straight London derbies overall (W11 D2). This evening, Bukayo Saka made his 82nd straight appearance for us in the Premier League. He is tying the mark established by Paul Merson between February 1995 and February 1997.
