Crystal Palace 1-0 Southampton - 6 Things We Learned

2. Pressing High Up The Pitch

Over the last three seasons, Palace have sat deep for long periods, conceding possession and waiting to spring quick counter attacks from deep. So far this season it has been noticeable, particularly in the last two games against Everton and Southampton, that the intention was to try and win the ball back high up the pitch. Yohan Cabaye and James McArthur would often swarm around Southampton's deep lying midfielder Oriol Romeu, giving him little time to settle, while Yannick Bolasie and Connor Wickham refused to give the Southampton back three a moment's peace. There were times where Palace, especially in the second half, reverted to sitting deep. It will be interesting to see if Pardew seeks to continue his own version of Jurgen Klopp's 'Gegenpressing' in the next game against Stoke.