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Well, that escalated quickly. We erupted for three goals in the first half, making a mockery of my modest pre-match 2-3 prediction, and we ended up enjoying a cakewalk of the coziest variety. If anything, the final 1-5 scoreline flattered our hosts as we could have found those five before halftime and might have found six or seven but for some brilliant goalkeeping and very stalwart woodwork. With Man City and Chelsea dropping points, we see a six-point gap to Liverpool, who have a game in hand. It’s not time to pick up the prayer books, nor is the fat lady singing. In fact, she ain’t even warming up.
**Jesus continues to inspire converts…**
Yes, yes, I too am resorting to all-too-predictable religious allusions. It’s hard not to when Gabriel Jesus scores five goals inside of two matches and really should have had six. While it’s far too early to crown him the King of Kings, a fair few of us might have been won over to his cause. Lest you turn up your nose at his sudden proficiency, keep in mind that Palace hadn’t conceded more than two goals in match all season. They’ve now done so twice inside of two matches—and both times against us as we scored from open play time and time again. If Jesus can find any thing resembling a purple patch, we won’t need an overpriced, cup-tied striker in January (who’s even available? Mitrovic? Watkins? Our list of allies grows thin…). Let’s hope instead that Jesus finds form enough to challenge for more minutes, thereby inspiring Havertz, Trossard, Martinelli, and, yes, Sterling to rise to that challenge. Goals galore could ensue.
**Gabi and Saliba, we hardly knew ye…**
This has to stand as one of the worst performances from two of the finest CBs in the Prem at the moment. Both Gabi and Saliba were uncharacteristically sloppy, careless, and indecisive. I even saw Gabi misdirect an unchallenged header straight to an opponent. That’s surely one of the signs of Armageddon. Still, their own errors are not entirely their own. Injuries and other obstacles have forced them into unfamiliar partnerships. Lewis-Skelly may eventually turn into a reliable defender capable of inverting, and Timber is clearly capable, but that back four is still getting to know its members. We got away with some defensive discomfort due in part to Palace’s own problems getting up the pitch, but we’ll have to find greater chemistry if we’re to challenge Liverpool.
**Saka’s sensitive hammy sidelines him?**
’round about the 22-minute mark, Saka pulled up and grabbed his hamstring and had to come off. Reports suggest that he’ll be out a few weeks. If there’s any consolation to be found, it’s both in the fact that his own production has fallen off a bit—we did ride his goal involvement quite a lot before his energy wanted—and in the fact that Jesus and Martinelli have each experienced revivals. While it might less than ideal to play Jesus, Martinelli, or Sterling on the right, we at least have options—something we don’t really have when it comes to Ødegaard, whose injury was akin to trying to drive without any petrol in the tank. In fact, if anything, I wouldn’t mind seeing Saka convalesce before the fixtures pile up in January and beyond. The lad needs the rest. Others will simply have to step up.
We have a chance to build on the momentum that these two back-to-back results offer, even if they occurred in two different competitions. We go on to host Ipswich before visiting Brentford and Brighton. While we really should have expected to seize nine points from nine on offer, our recent form might just move the needle to presumptuous to predicted. We do still have to build on this recent run of form, and woe betide anyone who underestimates any opponent.