It’s been a tough campaign for Eagles fans, though not everyone has performed poorly.
Crystal Palace fans
Life at Selhurst Park hasn’t been fun this season, with Crystal Palace currently sitting 19th in the Premier League and firmly in a relegation battle.
However, there have been silver linings for the Eagles this season, with some players in particular standing out in their fight to avoid the drop. Here are five of those players in question.
Wilfried Zaha
It’s been a long time coming, but finally Palace fans have seen some consistency from their academy graduate winger. Zaha’s racked up four goals and six assists in a side desperately in need of inspiration, and will need him if they are to survive.
The 24-year-old was dearly missed when he went to the African Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast, but Palace fans will be ecstatic he’s back now.
Crystal Palace’s James McArthur celebrates scoring their first goal
James McArthur
Palace’s Mr. Reliable. The former Wigan Athletic man is a calm and steady presence in midfield, and does his defensive duties remarkably well. Unfortunately however, this doesn’t spread to the rest of the team.
McArthur is exactly the type of player Palace need in their side if they are to stay afloat, as he will do – and has done – the dirty work in the middle of the park.
Christian Benteke
Palace needed a striker in the summer in order to compete given Connor Wickham and Frazier Campbell are hardly prolific in the top flight, and with the signing of Benteke, they ensured that.
Nine goals in 23 games for a side that’s struggled is very impressive, and – much like Jermain Defoe for Sunderland last year – the Belgium international could well fire Palace to safety.
Crystal Palace’s Scott Dann celebrates scoring their second goal
Scott Dann
It goes without saying that a team who sits in 19th has leaked their fair share of goals, but despite this, the 30-year-old has been the best of a bad defensive bunch.
At the other end of the pitch, Dann is a threat as well – and so far has three goals and an assist to his name, which isn’t bad for a centre back.
Jason Puncheon
Palace’s 2016 FA Cup final goalscorer hasn’t had the best season of his career, but he has still conjured up three assists for the Eagles this campaign, and no-one can doubt his dedication to the club with the way he puts his body about on the pitch.
On a personal note for Puncheon, earlier this season, the Croydon born 30-year-old racked up his 100th league appearance for Palace.
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