Crystal Palace 1-0 Bournemouth: Full player ratings as defiant Eagles triumph despite Sakho sending off

Crystal Palace clinched an unexpected 1-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League after being reduced to 10 men on Tuesday evening.

The Eagles were on top in this contest but soon found themselves in bags of trouble after Mamadou Sakho received his marching orders for a high-lunge on Adam Smith. The Frenchman certainly won the ball but his challenge was reckless and the follow-through caught Smith’s left knee.

Bournemouth asserted greater authority on the game but struggled to break the hosts down, before the south Londoners got their noses in front with an excellent run and well-struck finish from substitute Jeffrey Schlupp. It was a real smash and grab from Palace to secure maximum reward this evening.

Here’s how the players rated at Selhurst Park:

Crystal Palace

Vicente Guaita – 6 – Despite Palace being down to 10 men Bournemouth rarely threatened Guaita’s goal, though when called upon the Spaniard kept his nerve and commanded his box.

Martin Kelly – 7 – Performed diligently on the defensive flank. The towering full-back kept Danjuma quiet during his time on the pitch and didn’t waver upon Fraser’s introduction.

James Tomkins – 7 – A rock at the back, Tomkins meanly locked up the defence and really thwarted the usually intense attacking exploits of Wilson. A commanding performance from the centre-back.

Mamadou Sakho – 1 – Brought in for his first start since September and probably won’t get another for a while after his wild lunge on Adam Smith left Anthony Taylor with little choice but to brandish a red card.

Mamadou Sakho has been sent off in a professional game for club or country for the first time in over six years (November 2013)

His first ever Premier League red card. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/hsoHbLZFdO

— Squawka (@Squawka) December 3, 2019

Patrick van Aanholt – 6 – A huge blow for Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace as the forward-thinking Dutchman was having a lively game on the byline, linking up with Zaha well and keeping Harry Wilson exceptionally quiet until injury forced him off.

Andros Townsend – 5 – Showed flashes of quality during the first half, but just couldn’t come up with that moment of magic to really open up the Bournemouth defence, prompting Hodgson to withdraw him at the interval.

Cheikhou Kouyate – 7 – Battled valiantly for Palace as Bournemouth dominated possession on account of their numerical advantage. The Senegalese was tenacious during his stint in midfield and slotted in seamlessly at centre-back when Sakho saw red.

Luka Milivojevic – 7 – The Serb’s distribution was exquisite all night. It’s hard to believe Palace have not scored a corner this season. He played with his heart on his sleeve and wasn’t afraid to put his body on the line. A real captain’s performance.

James McArthur – 6 – Provided the Palace midfield plenty of energy as Bournemouth looked to peg the hosts back. He was industrious as ever and ran his socks off.

Wilfried Zaha – 6 – Quiet for large spells, but understandably so as Palace shut up shop for the majority of the game, though when his teammates needed respite Zaha was there to provide it.

Jordan Ayew – 8 – Where Wilson and Solanke failed, Ayew flourished. The selfless striker consistently dropped back to help out defensively, held the ball up well when required and constantly hunted down the Bournemouth backline. Given the circumstances, he was exactly what Palace needed.

Substitutes:

Jeffrey Schlupp (for Van Aanholt 30) – 8 – An epic performance from the first-half substitute, who came on and made the difference. His goal was one of sheer will, slaloming forward before unleashing a rocket of a strike.

James McCarthy (for Townsend 45) – 6 – Came on at half-time to add more aggression to the midfield, and certainly provided that, picking up a booking along the way. His manager certainly won’t mind, though.

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Bournemouth

Aaron Ramsdale – 3 – A virtual spectator for large spells of the match as Palace sat deep but was breached during the host’s first attempt on target and really should have done better.

Adam Smith – 5 – Certainly charged forward on the flank and got stuck in, but like his teammates Smith just lacked the required final product to really support Bournemouth’s attacking line.

Chris Mepham – 4 – A few jittery moments from the Welshman, who looked shaky at times coming back into the side, particularly gifting the ball to Zaha in the second half before recovering while also allowing Schlupp to easily get his shot away for Palace’s winner.

Nathan Ake – 5 – Held the fort well enough at the back at times and made a few key challenges as Palace broke forward occasionally, but Ake was unable to prevent the south London club firing a blank.

Diego Rico – 5 – Saw plenty of the ball and looked to aid in attacking strides down the left byline, but his end product often left a lot to be desired.

Harry Wilson – 5 – One of Bournemouth’s more lively forwards but not as explosive or tidy as the Spurs game on the weekend.

Philip Billing – 4 – Quite sluggish and clumsy at times, but looked to recycle play and find openings as Bournemouth ramped up the pressure after the restart, though ultimately failed to find that golden pass.

Jefferson Lerma – 4 – Showed plenty of tenacity and willingness in the heart of midfield, but picked up his obligatory yellow card and lacked the requisite intensity to really exploit Palace’s backline.

Arnaut Danjuma – 3 – Ineffective on the wing and unable to influence proceedings against a 10-man Palace during his time on the pitch.

Dominic Solanke – 3 – Still searching for his first Bournemouth goal, and he will be waiting a while longer if this game is anything to go by. The England international wasted a few glorious opportunities and looked confused on the ball at times.

Callum Wilson – 4 – As Palace sat back, Wilson became isolated and suffocated, unable to really find the space to get a shot off and test Guaita.

Substitutes:

Simon Francis (for Rico 64) – 5 – Substituted on to bring more experience but wasn’t what was required on a night Bournemouth needed a goal.

Ryan Fraser (for Danjuma 64) – 5 – A real chance for Fraser to stamp his authority on the match but largely failed to do so.

Lewis Cook (for Billing  82) – N/A – Came on with less than 10 minutes left on the clock.