Crystal Palace fell to 2-0 defeat to a Southampton side superior in every aspect at Selhurst Park.

Long range strikes from Nathan Redmond and Stuart Armstrong either side of the break handed Ralph Hasenhuttle’s side a deserved three points against an Eagles outfit that failed to muster a shot on target.

Cenk Tosun was given his first home start by Roy Hodgson, but the hosts were a shadow of the energetic outfit that took a point from Manchester City just three days ago.

It wasn’t until the 18th minute before we had the real first chance, and what an opportunity it was for Palace and for Tosun to endear himself to the Palace faithul.

Jordan Ayew caught Jannik Vestergaard in possession by slipped through the loan signing on the edge of the box.

With all the time in the world the Turkish international blazed well over, with he whole of Selhurst Park expecting more from their new forward.

They were made to pay instantly.

Redmond, floating in between the Palace midfield and defence, picked up possession before expertly driving home from the edge of the box on 22 minutes. 

The Saints lead would’ve been doubled if it weren’t for Vicente Guaita who reacted well to tip the lively Armstrong’s deflected flick over from close range.

Southampton were well on top as the half time approached and Palace’s frustrations boiled over into the break as Wilfried Zaha and James Ward-Brows exchanged pleasantries which VAR had a look during the interval. 

News Shopper:

The second half was just minutes old when Saints finally doubled their lead.

Unable to clear, Redmond picked up the lose ball and steered into Armstrong’s path who picked his spot past Guaita from 20-yards.

With their slick passing the visitors were far superior in possession and it was rattling Palace crowd as well as Zaha.

With his known temperament, Palace’s go-to man was targeted by the Saints and it affected his game, rendering Hodgson’s side toothless.

Saints carved out clear openings but Shane Long and Redmond’s were easily swallowed by the Palace goalie before Hodgson made his changes. Max Meyer and Joel Ward entered the fray to stem the yellow tide.

They may have slowed the visitors down but they lacked belief they could get anything from the encounter.

With no effort on target, substitute Connor Wickham’s blazed effort wide with six minute remaining typified the hosts' limp performance.

 

TEAMS:

Crystal Palace: 4-3-3 Guaita, Tomkins(c), Cahill, Kelly (Ward 65’), Riedewald, McArthur, McCarthy, Kouyate (Meyer 65’), Ayew, Zaha, Tosun (Wickham 68’) SUBS: Hennessey, Ward, Dann, Meyer, Wickham, McGregor, Brandon

Southampton: McCarthy, Soares (Romeu 19’), Vestergaard, Stephens, Bertand, Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong, Obafemi (Adams 83’) Bertrand, Long (Ings 70’) SUBS: Gunn, Yoshida, Ings, Adams, Djenepo, Romeu, Boufal

REFEREE: Andre Marriner