Palace hold Arsenal in pulsating London derby

October 27 2019

Ayew: Four goals so far this season for the Ghanaian

Crystal Palace came from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Vicente Guaita was still not fit to feature anywhere in the match day squad, so Wayne Hennessey kept his place in goal and Andros Townsend replaced Jeffrey Schlupp in midfield.

The Eagles had a terrible start to the game, going two goals down within the first nine minutes. Both Arsenal centre backs, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, and David Luiz scored the goals - both poor defending from corner kicks.

However, just over the half hour mark Palace were back in the game. Wilfried Zaha latched onto a ball and cut inside Calum Chambers inside the Arsenal penalty area, and went down under the challenge. Referee Martin Atkinson originally yellow carded Zaha for simulation, but his decision was overruled by VAR and the penalty was awarded. Luka Milivojevic stepped up and slotted home from the spot, to make it 2-1.

Seven minutes after the break Palace were level. A quick counter attack by the visitors fell to James McArthur on the left wing, and his cross was headed home by Jordan Ayew to make it 2-2.

Arsenal were denied a winning goal in the final 10 minutes when VAR overruled a goal by Sokratis, and the Eagles could have snatched all three points in the dying minutes when Zaha's shot went narrowly wide of the goal.

The draw leaves Palace in a healthy sixth place in the Premier League, with 15 points from 10 games played.

Roy Hodgson speaks after his side fought hard to come back from a two goal deficit.

Match report and highlights: https://t.co/dFT8eMnBBI pic.twitter.com/HmJUjOlOOB
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 27, 2019