Crystal Palace 2-0 Wolves: Player ratings as Eagles' patience pays off
Crystal Palace hoisted themselves into the top half of the Premier League table with a 2-0 win over Wolves at Selhurst Park, courtesy of second half strikes from Wilfried Zaha and Conor Gallagher.
It was no surprise to see the hosts dominate the ball in the early exchanges, with Odsonne Edouard fashioning the first half-chance of the game when he collected Wilfried Zaha's pass inside the area and shot straight at Jose Sa.
The French striker then troubled the Wolves goal shortly after, heading into a curling free-kick just over the bar while he was backpedalling.
However, the opening period lacked defining quality, although Raul Jimenez was left ruing his lack of conviction from a Joao Moutinho free-kick before the interval. The Mexican met the midfielder's delivery, but he could only head straight into the arms of Vicente Guaita from seven yards out.
Palace emerged from half-time with a greater purpose in possession. Christian Benteke snatched at a Zaha cut-back from the left hand side, before he headed an effort from a corner straight at Sa from point blank range.
With the Selhurst Park faithful responding to their side's renewed vigour, Palace took the lead on the hour mark. James McArthur timed a perfectly-weighted pass through to Zaha who curled his effort beyond the outstretched Sa.
Wolves thought they had a penalty with 20 minutes remaining when Rayan Ait-Nouri went down under the attentions of Joel Ward, but VAR intervened to rule the contact as having started outside of the penalty area.
Palace then killed the contest soon after through the energetic Conor Gallagher. The midfielder collected a second ball on the edge of the area before jinking his way through a sea of Wolves defenders and finishing with his weak foot.
Crystal Palace player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Vicente Guaita (GK) - 6/10 - Didn't have much to deal with from an impotent Wolves side.
Joel Ward (RB) - 6/10 - Made a couple of vital last ditch sliding challenges to deny Wolves a route into the Palace penalty box.
Joachim Andersen (CB) - 7/10 - His distribution, especially those diagonal passes out of defence, are such an effective weapon for Palace.
Marc Guehi (CB) - 5/10 - Namechecked by Gareth Southgate this week, coping well with the threat of Jimenez despite a first half booking.
Tyrick Mitchell (LB) - 5/10 - Didn't offer much of an attacking threat down the left hand side, which made Palace quite one-dimensional in the first half.
2. Midfielders
Cheikhou Kouyate (CM) - 5/10 - The former West Ham man has dislodged Luka Milivojevic in the side and produced a decent, if unspectacular, showing at the base of the midfield.
James McArthur (CM) - 7/10 - Kept Palace ticking when receiving the ball in deeper areas, timing his through ball to Zaha perfectly for his side's opener.
Conor Gallagher (AM) - 7/10 - One of the standout performers in the Premier League this term, adding another goal to his tally to seal all three points for Palace.
3. Forwards
Wilfried Zaha (RW) - 7/10 - Wolves restricted the space in behind, which left the winger frustrated throughout, but he made the difference with his goal on the hour mark.
Christian Benteke (ST) - 5/10 - Returned to the side after being left out last weekend, but he was isolated throughout.
Odsonne Edouard (LW) - 8/10 - The Frenchman looked both Palace's biggest goal and creative threat, weaving his way through Wolves on a few ocassions.
4. Substitutes
Michael Olise (RW) - N/A
Jeffrey Schlupp (CM) - N/A
Jordan Ayew (ST) - N/A
Nathaniel Clyne (CB) - N/A
Wolves player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Jose Sa (GK) - 5/10 - Made a few good stops and could do little to prevent Zaha's effort.
Max Kilman (CB) - 5/10 - A tough ask being tasked with matching Edouard's movement, struggling with his physical presence in a few duels.
Conor Coady (CB) - 4/10 - Threw himself in front of a couple of Crystal Palace shots, although he was slow to push out which played Zaha onside for his goal.
Romain Saiss (CB) - 5/10 - Aggressive in his duels and helped stifle Zaha on the flank.
6. Wing backs & midfielders
Nelsen Semedo (RWB) - 6/10 - Often Wolves' chief attacking threat, exploting the space in behind Tyrick Mitchell.
Ruben Neves (CM) - 5/10 - A quiet display, although he did produce a few showreel passes out to Semedo on the right hand side.
Joao Moutinho (CM) - 6/10 - Harshly cautioned inside the opening ten minutes, but he regained his composure and helped keep the pressure on the hosts.
Rayan Ait-Nouri (LWB) - 6/10 - Deputised well for Marcal in recent weeks and he should he retain his place in the side going forward.
7. Forwards
Francisco Trincao (RW) - 4/10 - Got into some good areas but, as has been lamented so often this season, his final action was lacking.
Raul Jimenez (ST) - 5/10 - Held the ball up well in moments for Wolves, but he lacked service from his teammates.
Hwang Hee-chan (LW) - 5/10 - Enjoyed a purple patch in front of goal heading into this one, but barely had a sight at the Palace net.
8. Substitutes
Daniel Podence (RW) - N/A
Adama Traore (LW) - N/A
Fabio Silva (ST) - N/A