Crystal Palace vs Burnley: Andros Townsend inspires Palace to first home Premier League victory of the season

Andros Townsend inspired Crystal Palace to their first home win of the season with an excellent performance crowned with a wonderful goal as Roy Hodgson’s side eased away from the relegation zone.

In truth, they won at a canter with Burnley failing to register a single shot on target. The Clarets had no answer to the pace and movement of Townsend and Wilfried Zaha and Sean Dyche’s side desperately lack a cutting edge.

Palace had failed to score in seven Premier League games already this season and Zaha went about changing that as he skipped to the byline and pulled the ball back and just beyond the reach of Cheikhou Kouyate.

The gifted German Max Meyer was next to go close as his curling drive from the edge of the area required a full-stretch save of Joe Hart.

The Eagles soon went in front, though more by luck than judgment. James McArthur swept in a low cross towards Meyer but the ball ran right across the box and went in via the far post. Both Hart and his defenders were equally culpable.

Despite the circumstances, it was no less than Roy Hodgson’s team deserved. There was no evidence that Burnley had any plan to try and win the game with little of the play occurring in the Clarets’ attacking third.

Hodgson’s side have been better than the table suggests and were unlucky to take just a point against Arsenal and Manchester United in recent weeks.

In truth, there was a gulf between them and Burnley, who looked lifeless in comparison. Sean Dyche has said he expects questions to be asked of his team’s recent form and here, it was the manner of the performance which will be of most concern.

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Meyer, the first-half’s brightest light, almost sent Palace in for the break two up but placed his shot just wide of the far post after some good footwork.

Burnley’s full-backs endured an especially torrid afternoon with Zaha and Townsend, Palace’s makeshift strike force in the absence of Christian Benteke, frequently causing problems with their pace.

Incredibly, McArthur’s was Palace’s first goal from open play at home this season and they hadn’t won for eight games prior to kick-off. But there was no sense of anxiety around Selhurst Park. Having recovered from a far more perilous position last season, Hodgson has certainly earned the fans’ patience.

They may have struggled for goals but looked more than capable against Burnley, who have been much more open this season.

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Zaha twice went close at the start of the second half. Firstly as he weaved his way towards goal and shot suddenly, forcing Hart to push the ball over.

Then, Towsend broke and found him but the Ivorian blazed over from the edge of the area.

It was all Palace and remarkably, Luka Milivojevic failed to extend their lead from point-blank range when Patrick van Aanholt had found him unmarked.

Dyche then had Ben Mee to thank for keeping the score down as the Burnley centre half perfectly timed his tackle to prevent McArthur from scoring a second.

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It looked only a matter of time as Palace mounted another wave of attacks. More great work from Townsend set up another chance for Zaha and this time he struck the crossbar.

Finally the second came, and it was worth waiting for. Townsend cut in from the left after a long ball from Kouyate’s pass and bent un unstoppable shot into the top corner from 20 yards. A fitting reward for the game’s best player.

Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Hennessey; Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt; McArthur, Kouyate, Milivojevic, Meyer (Puncheon 90); Townsend (Sorloth 88), Zaha.

Subs not used: Guaita, Ward, Ayew, Schlupp, Kelly, Puncheon.

Burnley (4-4-1-1): Hart; Lowton, Long, Mee, Taylor; Lennon (Brady 45), Cork, Defour (Vokes 61), Gudmundsson; Hendrick, Wood (Barnes 80).

Subs not used: Heaton, Tarkowski, Westwood, Bardsley.

Referee: Mr L Probert (Wiltshire)