Brentford and Crystal Palace play out goalless draw that leaves both sides without a win in five

Brentford 0-0 Crystal Palace: Goalless draw leaves both sides without a win in five Premier League games but Christian Eriksen’s presentation still gives Bees fans plenty to cheer

  • Two of the Premier League’s London based-sides played out a goalless stalemate
  • The result leaves both clubs without a victory in their last five league matches
  • New signing Christian Eriksen was presented to Brentford fans before the game 


Brentford fans got their first glimpse of Christian Eriksen – and that turned out to be the highlight of the afternoon.

In normal circumstances, a new signing being introduced for the first time would be an underwhelming sole incident of real note, though not in this case.

Midfielder Eriksen’s miraculous recovery from a cardiac arrest suffered during last year’s Euros and return to football by joining Brentford is one of the stories not just of this season but any one.

Brentford played out a dull 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, extending their winless run to seven games

Christian Eriksen was presented to the Brentford fans before the game in west London

Christian Eriksen was presented to the Brentford fans before the game in west London

Sadly, the two sides could not produce anything to enliven the crowd anything like as much as Eriksen did

Sadly, the two sides could not produce anything to enliven the crowd anything like as much as Eriksen did

MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS 

Brentford (3-5-2): Raya 6; Ajer 7, Jansson 7, Pinnock 7; Canos 6 (Baptiste 87), Janelt 6.5 (Dasilva 61, 6), Norgaard 6.5, Jensen 7.5, Henry 7; Mbeumo 7, Wissa 6 (Ghoddos 82).

Subs not used: Fernandez, Lossl, Onyeka, Sorensen, Roerslev, Stevens

Booked: Canos

Manager: Thomas Frank 6  

Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Guaita 6; Ward 7, Andersen 7, Guehi 6.5, Mitchell 7.5; Gallagher 6.5, Hughes 7 (McArthur 66, 6), Schlupp 7; Ayew 6 (Olise 77), Edouard 6 (Mateta 72, 6), Zaha 6.

Subs not used: Butland, Milivojevic, Tomkins, Eze, Clyne, Benteke.

Manager: Patrick Vieira 6

Referee: Simon Hooper 6  

The standing ovation reception he received from all sides of the ground when he was paraded ahead of kick-off was a reflection of that and how welcome a sight for all it is to see him back in the game.

Sadly, the two sides could not produce anything to enliven the crowd anything like as much as Eriksen did when he strode out to soak up the pre-match acclaim.

Indeed, this proved to be a game that could have done with a player of Eriksen’s invention to illuminate it but he is not quite yet ready to play again.

In his absence it was low on quality and saw Brentford’s winless run extend to seven games and left Crystal Palace still waiting for their first league victory of 2022.

Initially Eriksen, sitting in the stands next to one of the men key to his arrival, director of football Phil Giles, would have been encouraged by elements of what he saw from Brentford in the first half.

His new teammates carried the greater threat during an at times scrappy 45 minutes and had their fair share of chances to take a lead into the break.

The lively Bryan Mbeumo had a shot deflected over by Joachim Andersen before Brentford were appealing loudly for a penalty.

Marc Guehi handled as he leapt for a long-throw but, after a VAR review, referee Simon Hooper awarded a free-kick for a foul on the Palace defender by Christian Norgaard.

Mbeumo poked straight at Guaita after being slipped in by Mathias Jensen, some last ditch defending from Joel Ward, Tyrick Mitchell and Will Hughes frustrated Brentford and Sergi Canos headed wide too.

In contrast, Palace created just one big opportunity but it was clear enough for it to have led to a goal.

Jeffrey Schlupp poked the ball off Norgaard to Odsonne Edouard who played through Jordan Ayew.

He had plenty of time to compose himself and pick a suitable finish as he closed in on goal but did neither, blazing wildly off target.

Wilfried Zaha reacts after missing a chance for Crystal Palace in the first half against Brentford

Wilfried Zaha reacts after missing a chance for Crystal Palace in the first half against Brentford

The game began to drift in the second half, so much so that Palace goalkeeper Guaita was at one stage running the width of his box to stay alert and warm.

The introduction of Brentford’s popular playmaker Josh Dasilva threatened to inject some spark.

His first involvement, beating Schlupp down the right and firing in a cross was an encouraging sign.

Another second-half sub James McArthur forced David Raya into action.

The goalless draw leaves both sides without a win in their last five Premier League matches

The goalless draw leaves both sides without a win in their last five Premier League matches

At the other end, Guaita was finally given something to do with 15 minutes left when he batted away captain Pontus Jansson’s header.

Seconds earlier he and fellow centre-back Kristoffer Ajer turned cheerleaders in an attempt to whip up the crowd.

Palace and Wilfried Zaha had a late penalty shout turned down and Andersen extended Raya with the game’s final kick but, in truth, there had been little to shout about since before the game.

Odsonne Edouard (above) played through Jordan Ayew who lacked composure for visitors

Odsonne Edouard (above) played through Jordan Ayew who lacked composure for visitors

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk