5. Hennessey's Number One
Crystal Palace went into this season without a clear idea of who their number one goalkeeper was. Julian Speroni, the long serving Argentinian, had the gloves for the majority of the previous season, with Wayne Hennessey filling in during cup games and a few games at the end of the season. Speroni picked up a long-ish term injury during the summer and the assumption was that Hennessey was going to get his chance. However, he had to wait while Alex McCarthy, the young 'keeper signed from QPR in the summer, came in and started the first few games of the season. It wasn't until game seven that McCarthy was eventually dropped after some unconvincing displays between the sticks and Hennessey was finally given his chance. Since then, Hennessey has grabbed the opportunity - quite literally, being a goalkeeper - with both hands, and has firmly established himself as Palace's number one. Since he came in against Watford back in September, Palace have only conceded 8 goals in the nine games he has started and have conceded more than once only once. Not only has he brought assurance and composure to the back five but he has probably earned Palace four points in the last two games. His stunning save from Tom Cleverley in the Everton game and his two world class saves on Saturday - the first a miraculous one handed tip over the bar from a Steven Davis header and his last second save from Shane Long - ensured Palace got their win