Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton: Estupinan excellent in Eagles ratings
It was not all bad news for Pervis Estupinan following the atrocious VAR decision which denied him a perfectly good goal in Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton – he did at least top the player ratings at Selhurst Park.
That most of the talk surrounding Estupinan in the aftermath has centred on how Stockley Park managed to draw the offside line to the second-last Palace defender rather than the last highlights the biggest failure of VAR.
It was supposed to improve refereeing decisions, lessen controversy and mean that post-game discussions focussed on the players rather than the officials.
Instead, it overshadows matches and in particular, individual performances like Estupinan’s which should be the subject of praise rather than relegated to a side issue because of VAR.
Because Estupinan deserves to be heralded after his showing against the Eagles. He was superb defensively and going forward, setting up the equally impressive Solly March for the Brighton goal and giving Nathaniel Clyne nightmares which will last the next week.
In contrast to the high scores posted by Estupinan and March, it was an afternoon to forget for Robert Sanchez. His error gifted Palace a point and means he achieves the worst rating of the season so far.
From Sanchez’s 3.67 to Estupinan’s 8.50, the Crystal Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton player ratings are the broadest we have seen for some time. It is never dull when Seagulls face Eagles, is it?
Robert Sanchez – 3.67
Oh dear. The most routine of catches which any Sunday League goalkeeper would be expected to make eluded him to gift Palace a point. He does produce some outstanding points-winning saves but a goalkeeper who will pass 100 Premier League appearances by the end of this season should not be making such basic mistakes.
Joel Veltman – 7.08
The ultra-defensive tactics deployed by Palace gave him a chance to get forward down the right in the first half. Did a dutiful job at centre back when moved across following the second half introduction of Tariq Lamptey.
Adam Webster – 7.42
As a player who traditionally needs up to a month of regular first team football to shake the rust after an injury layoff, it was a bold decision from Roberto De Zerbi to throw him in for a first Premier League start since the World Cup in a game of such importance. Webster repaid the faith handsomely with two excellent first half blocks the highlight.
Lewis Dunk – 7.42
Alongside Webster, he was a major reason why Sanchez was untroubled other than the clanger. Defended well, used the ball intelligently and quietened those Palace fans who to this day still do not understand how the British legal system works.
PERVIS ESTUPINAN – 8.50
Is there a better left back in the Premier League right now? Did his duties defensively, denied a goal by that total cock up from VAR and provided the cross of the game over Tyrick Mitchell for March to volley home at the far post. A fully deserved top spot in the Palace 1-1 Brighton player ratings.
Moises Caicedo – 7.33
No sign of a drop off in performance levels following that January transfer saga, highlighting that it was his agent’s grubby fingers working overtime on Instagram rather than Caicedo’s. Always found a Brighton teammate with a pass and displayed some fine reading of the game to snuff out Palace attacks on the rare occasions the hosts attempted to get forward.
Pascal Gross – 7.08
Did plenty of scheming alongside Caicedo in midfield, including playing the pass for the disallowed Estupinan goal. Should have had an assist for that and also when delivering a pinpoint corner to Alexis Mac Allister who could only head wide when unmarked six yards out.
Solly March – 7.67
A goal against the club who released him as a kid would have been particularly sweet. He weaved around Palace players as if they were not there, played some outstanding passes and looked a class above anyone else on the pitch with the exception of Estupinan. The March for England campaign goes on.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6.17
On another afternoon, he scores five times. It was just typical that the most dependable player in this Brighton squad and its World Cup winner chose Palace away to have a very, very rare off day in front of goal.
Kaoru Mitoma – 5.92
After dominating ratings, power rankings and Player of the Month polls for the past two months, Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton was a reminder that he is human after all. Other than one first half effort saved by Guaita, Palace kept the Japanese Bullet Train quiet.
Deniz Undav – 4.83
Kept his place in the starting XI but struggled to have the same impact as against Plucky Little Bournemouth when he linked the play well and brought others in. One half-chance was wasted when he fired weakly straight at Guaita.
Evan Ferguson – 6.50
Back from injury, he was unable to replicate the impact he had from the bench in the draw away at Leicester City three weeks earlier. Palace did as good a job snuffing him out as on Mitoma.
Tariq Lamptey – 5.92
A tad unlucky to be on the bench, he had a couple of charges down the right after being brought on to ask questions as Brighton sought a winner.
The WAB Player Ratings are formulated using marks out of 10 given by Brighton fans via Twitter. To have your scores included, follow We Are Brighton on Twitter and look out for the player rating thread after each game.
