By Matty Sadler
January 15 2021

As I'm sure was the case for all of you I was very concerned to see no Tierney in the starting eleven. Maitland-Niles has had some good games for us on the left in the past. Tonight unfortunately was not one of them, but I have two bigger issues here. AMN is a very good one-on-one defender, but he is not left footed and just won't ever be able to replicate the natural drive and width Tierney offers from the left.

My main issues:

Firstly, the lack of a natural left back competing/ providing cover for Tierney. This is something we need to address in the transfer market, if not now then in the summer. Secondly, if you're having to play a right footed left back and therefore losing all of that width, surely at the very least you'd be looking to the opposite side to provide it. Unfortunately Bellerin just doesn't have that in him anymore. Also, I've spoken before about Pepe and Bellerin's lack of a relationship on the pitch, and I'm certain Pepe suffers as a result. He didn't do a great deal when he came on, no, but tonight he needed somebody overlapping, to create space for him if nothing else, but that didn't happen. Bellerin spent the game quite narrow and often passing backwards. Maybe something else to think about in the transfer market...

It isn't my intention to just sh*t on Bellerin here by the way, but when you're missing your left-sided width and Palace are doing an excellent job of shutting down two of your star boys, you need to find solutions from elsewhere.

A frustrating evening but Gabriel and Partey are back, hopefully Tierney and Martinelli will be back soon, and fingers crossed we can try and bring in at least one creative/ attacking player this window.

 Ratings

Leno - 7. Good save in the first half but otherwise very little to do.

Bellerin - 6. Strong defensively but just doesn't have it going forward. More on this later.
Holding - 6. Did well. Thought he might have celebrated his new contract by burying one of those headers...
Luiz - 6. Also did well.
Maitland-Niles - 4. He'll never be able to replicate what Tierney does on that side because he doesn't have a left foot. That aside, I don't think he played very well.

Ceballos - 7. First half I thought he was very good. Unlucky to be subbed early.
Xhaka - 8. Picked up where he left off against Newcastle. Thought he was excellent. Defensively that was possibly the best he's ever played. Regained possession more times than any other player on the pitch.

Saka - 6. Didn't do anything wrong but didn't have his usual spark.
Smith Rowe - 6. Likewise he worked hard and pressed but didn't have the same attacking spark we've enjoyed recently.
Aubameyang - 6. Worked hard. Even beat his man for pace a few times. Not enough of an influence though.

Lacazette - 6. Again okay but not enough of an influence. Bellerin took his best chance off his feet.

Subs:

Pepe - 5. Could've been a good opportunity for him tonight but I don't think he did much.
Partey - 5. One of the few positives was his return.
Nketiah - 5. Won a few free kicks. Shame he isn't 6' 4.

MORE DISCUSSION HERE