3 key players for Crystal Palace against West Ham United

Joel Ward

The right-back has been instrumental over the last month and a half. After a patchy season last term, the 26-year-old has upped his game this season, not only defensively, but in an attacking sense too.

His ability to get up and down the right flank is key in providing support and passes for Wilfried Zaha, who can push on into the box or whip the crosses in for the talismanic Benteke.

His last league appearance in the 1-1 draw away at Everton, in my opinion, was the best performance I have seen from the defender in a very long time. His ability to man-mark ex-Eagle Yannick Bolasie and contain the DR Congo international was something I haven’t really seen from many players in the Premier League.

He stopped the winger from playing his fast skilful game which as a Palace fan, I am no stranger to. It really was a fantastic performance and we are starting to see the Ward that we saw in the 2014/15 season, where he was remarkable in Palace’s highest Premier League finish.

To top off his strong performance, he even grabbed an assist with his cross for Benteke and he nearly earned a second only for Damien Delaney’s header to be correctly ruled for offside.

His attacking game has improved and we are starting to see a lot more crosses and take-on’s from him. I think this is an area Pardew has spotted out to him and he is really taking the bull by the horns and doing a tremendous job on the pitch.