Crystal Palace 0-0 Brentford: Player Ratings
Patrick Vieira’s wait for a first victory as the Crystal Palace boss continues after his side were held to a 0-0 draw by Brentford at Selhurst Park.
Thomas Frank’s Bees managed to keep the Eagles in check as their unbeaten start to their first Premier League campaign continues.
Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher rattled in the frame of the Brentford goal from close range early, before Ivan Toney struck a drilled effort just outside shortly afterwards. Bryan Mbeumo’s free kick then hit the top of the crossbar just before half time when the two sides went into the break with nothing between them.
Joel Wards’ collected posts early in the second half were led just over by Christian Benteke, and James McArthur got a long-range shot tipped by David Raya, but neither side did enough to earn all three points.
This is how both teams rated the day …
Guaita was imperious / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Vicente Guaita (GK) – 7/10 – Seemed to claim everything that came into his box. A strong and robust performance between the sticks.
Joel Ward (RB) – 6/10 – Very conservative as expected, but was not too great to prevent actions from coming on him.
Joachim Andersen (CB) – 5/10 – Pretty rash but at least he’s not afraid to get caught, huh.
Marc Guehi (CB) – 6/10 – Does not seem to be in place even though I have only played one match at this level before.
Tyrick Mitchell (LB) – 6/10 – Succeeded in keeping Sergi Canos quiet for the most part, and often forced him to change wings.
Gallagher was in the thick of things / Justin Setterfield / Getty Images
Cheikou Kouyate (DM) – 6/10 – Did a decent job matching Frank Onyeka’s physicality and tracking midfielders.
James McArthur (CM) – 6/10 – Nothing remarkable in about an hour before he almost gave Palace the lead with a rocket.
Conor Gallagher (CM) – 7/10 – All-action and will be well loved at Selhurst Park. Unlucky not to end his debut with a goal.
Benteke could not make his mark / JUSTIN TALLIS / Getty Images
Wilfried Zaha (RW) – 6/10 – Could see his quality but did not create too much after the opening changes.
Christian Benteke (CF) – 4/10 – Seemed discouraged from action, not many listing opportunities.
Jeff Schlupp (LW) – 4/10 – Very little impact and was replaced by Jordan Ayew.
Jordan Ayew – (RW) – 5/10
It was a story about two Spanish goalkeepers / Eddie Keogh / Getty Images
David Raya (GK) – 7/10 – Helped Brentford out of danger a number of times with his exact kick. Provides good rescues when called upon.
Kristoffer Ajer (CB) – 6/10 – Settles seamlessly for the bees, comfortable with and without the ball.
Pontus Jansson (CB) – 6/10 – Had a hairy moment early in the second half when he almost overplayed it, but generally did well to keep Palace’s attacks quiet.
Ethan Pinnock (CB) – 6/10 – He and Rico Henry managed to keep Zaha in check – a nice test of their Premier League references.
Norgaard had a difficult afternoon, which is shown here / JUSTIN TALLIS / Getty Images
Sergi Canos (RWB) – 6/10 – Could not match his star performance against Arsenal last week with a similar one here, but was decent enough.
Frank Onyeka (CM) – 6/10 – Struggled with the pace of the game at first but grew in confidence and his runs caused Palace some problems.
Christian Norgaard (CM) – 4/10 – Not his finest outing, could not control the game he would have liked. Be happy to avoid a red card after getting Zaha down while he was booked.
Vitaly Janelt (CM) – 5/10 – Fought in the same way with the pace and above all lost Gallagher a couple of times.
Rico Henry (LWB) – 6/10 – Was caught a few times early but as Onyeka managed to put his mark on the game.
Toney had a decent first half but was quiet after the break / Julian Finney / Getty Images
Bryan Mbeumo (CF) – 6/10 – Dropped deep to try to link midfield and attack. Have worked a couple of times but not enough.
Ivan Toney (CF) – 5/10 – Not at all as dominant as he was against Arsenal, all the more disappointing as it is not as if Palace forced him down either.
Saman Ghoddos (CM) – 5/10
Yoane Wissa (CF) – 6/10
Mads Bistrup (CM) – N / A
For more from Sean Walsh, follow him on Twitter!