Crystal Palace 1-2 Bournemouth - 6 Things We Learned

4. Defence Flat Footed

In the recent games against Chelsea, Southampton (in the FA Cup) and Bournemouth, Palace have conceded goals directly from rebounds after the 'keeper has made a save. While it would be nice if every goalkeeper held on to every shot that went their way, football doesn't work like that and the Palace defenders seem to have let this fact escape them. Far too often, the Palace defence are not anticipating the worst and are allowing opposition strikers to get the better of them. This is not down to coaching or fitness, it is hunger and concentration. While the striker is desperate for a sniff of anything to get a goal, a defender gets little credit for a regulation clearance if they anticipate where the ball will fall correctly. Unfortunately for them, that is their job. If Benik Afobe and Diego Costa can anticipate that the 'keeper might not hold it, Scott Dann and Damien Delaney can too. Simple as that.