Crystal Palace extended their unbeaten run at home in the Premier League to 11 games as they beat Brentford 2-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
WATCH — Full match replay
Palace took the lead in the first half through Jean-Philippe Mateta’s header and an own goal from Nathan Collins early in the second half put the result beyond doubt.
Oliver Glasner’s side are now on 16 points as they ended a winless run of three games in the league. Brentford remain on 13 points.
Efficient Eagles play to their strengths
Long throws? Check. Direct central balls forward? Check. Runners from midfield and out wide? Check. Mateta posting up and causing chaos? Check. Crystal Palace played to their strengths masterfully against Brentford, a team known for being physical, direct and making the most of set-piece situations themselves. But Palace proved they’re in a different league when it comes to perfecting the art of directness. They could have scored a few more in the second half but the job was done and as soon as Palace went 2-0 up early in the second half, Brentford knew it would take a miracle to overturn this deficit given how solid and rigid Palace are. The Eagles can definitely push for a top six finish this season depending on how injuries and their European run impacts their squad. The main reason they can go far in all competitions is because they are efficient and Glasner’s side know what they are good at and do it bloody well.
What’s next?
Palace host AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League on Thursday and host Brighton next Sunday in the league. Brentford host Newcastle next Sunday in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace vs Brentford score: 2-0
Mateta 30', Collins OG 51'
Crystal Palace vs Brentford Live Updates!
Nelson denied by Henderson
Reiss Nelson with a great effort on goal but Dean Henderson pushes it away. Brentford having a real go late on.
Yarmoliuk drills wide
That was Brentford’s best chance of the game as a cross deflects perfectly into the path of Yarmoliuk, but he leans back and lashes his shot wide. He should have done better. That would have set up a tense finale.
Sarr should make it 3-0!
Oh wow. Right away Palace should put the result beyond doubt. Sarr races away and his shot beats Kelleher, but it hits the post and comes back out. He can’t believe it!
Palace double their lead!
Right at the start of the second half a long throw from Palace is flicked on by Brentford skipper Nathan Collins and into his own net.
Half time: Crystal Palace 1-0 Brentford
Very even game in south London but the hosts lead through Mateta’s goal. Brentford are in this though.
Mateta does it again!
That man Mateta puts Palace ahead with yet another goal.
Decent start from both sides.
Sarr with a decent opening but couldn’t pick out the right pass. At the other end, Igor Thiago with a chance on the break for Brentford. Even first half so far.
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson; Richards, Lacroix; Guehi; Munoz, Lerma, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta
Brentford lineup
Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Ajer; Henderson, Yarmoliuk; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago
Crystal Palace team news, focus
OUT: Adam Wharton (illness), Cheick Doucoure (knee), Chadi Riad (knee), Caleb Kporha (back)
Brentford team news, focus
OUT: Antoni Milambo (knee), Josh Dasilva (knee), Benjamin Arthur (calf)
Crystal Palace vs Brentford preview
Selhurst Park finds Palace and Brentford on the same amount of points as Oliver Glasner’s hosts have just one point from their last three Premier League outings and have also suffered a surprising Conference League loss at home to AEK Larnaca which brings their winless run to four across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Keith Andrews is suddenly the proverbial belle of the ball as the Bees have taken a win at West Ham and followed it up with a home defeat of Liverpool before waxing Grimsby Town 5-0 in the League Cup on Wednesday, refusing to give Blundell Park more cup joy as five different Bees hit the score sheet while resting plenty of regulars including Igor Thiago, Kristoffer Ajer, and Mikkel Damsgaard.
This match may have snuck up on us — it has all the possibilities of a beauty at a South London theater who rarely fails to produce atmosphere.
Crystal Palace vs Brentford prediction
Brentford have a bit more rest than their hosts, who had a much trickier midweek in the League Cup with their Wednesday fight against Liverpool. The Bees are considered underdogs here despite the disparate form of both clubs. It’s fair to say that the hosts should be on upset alert. Palace 1-1 Brentford.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Brentford live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11am ET Saturday
Venue: Selhurst Park — South London
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
