It has been attack versus defence in the first half at Selhurst Park, but somehow West Bromwich Albion have managed to get to the break still level with dominant Crystal Palace.
Wilfried Zaha terrorised the Baggies’ defence in the opening 45 minutes, forcing two saves out of Boaz Myhill, including this left-footed stinger after an exiting dribble cutting in from the right.
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But Tony Pulis’s visitors, unbeaten on the road this season, survived the barrage of his former club, despite having only 38% possession and no shots on target compared to Palace’s five.
Albion have yet to concede an away goal in the Premier League this term and have kept more clean sheets than any other side in the division since Pulis’s appointment as manager in January 2015.
Pardew has encouraged a more adventurous approach than Pulis did in his time as Eagles manager, and the hosts were on the front foot from the first whistle as Zaha and Yannick Bolasie tested Myhill.
Yohan Cabaye also worked the Albion goalkeeper from range later in the half, but, for all of their superiority, Palace lacked an end product epitomised by Zaha’s display, and career in general.
The 22-year-old winger has incredible skill and pace, as Chris Brunt has found out to his peril this afternoon, but has only scored 24 goals in 187 games across his two spells at Palace.
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