Crystal Palace fell to another gut-wrenching defeat, this time to Manchester City. Here are five things Naveed Khan learnt. 

1. Wickham’s supporting role

Conor Wickham scored for the second successive game, demonstrating the value he can add to the squad. Looking fitter and more mobile than for long stretches last season, he added a dimension to Palace’s attacking play, making 4-4-2 a viable option. While it has not quite worked for Wickham as a lone striker, with Christian Benteke alongside him he has both been able to support Palace’s record signing as well as being able to create more space for himself. His performances off the bench in the last two games as been a positive and gives a platform for him to kick-start his Palace career.

2. Tomkins steadily settling in

An injury in pre-season and some indecision from the manager over a preferred centre-back pairing has meant that James Tomkins has been unable to properly settle into a defensive partnership with Scott Dann. Saturday was perhaps his best game for Palace to date. Given the standard of opponent Tomkins acquitted himself well, showing the ability to read the game while also using the ball in a calm and measured manner. The hope is that he can build on this and become the long-term partner for Dann at the heart of Palace’s defence. Given the other frailties in the back line, a dependable pairing there is crucial.

3. Runners from midfield not covered

The midfield trio of Yohan Cabaye, James McArthur and Jason Puncheon have received praise for their performance on Saturday and rightly so. They are Alan Pardew’s preferred three and the reasons in terms of ball retention, progressing up field with the ball and mobility are clear. However, not for the first time, the style of the team mixed with the player’s attributes meant Manchester City’s midfield tended to have a free runner joining their attack from midfield which in turn adds pressure to an already confidence-shy defence. This is the balance the manager needs to find between “bravery” and “caution”.

4. Set Pieces

While the manager expressed surprise at Palace conceding from a set piece, of the 21 goals the club have conceded this season, nine have been directly from a set piece – often due to an unmarked player. However, Manchester City’s second goal highlighted a combination of the shortcomings. Wayne Hennessey was pointing at space which needed to be occupied but was not listened to; Wickham was still taking instruction from the coaching staff as the kick was being taken; most of the players back were slow to react to the delivery; City’s biggest player was left unmarked and Hennessey’s positioning throughout is questionable (probably promoted by the confusion in front of him). It’s a series of repeated errors and must be addressed – no attacking style can be a success without the basics of a defensive platform to build from.

5. Perspective

The result on Saturday was another disappointing one; but the day as a whole showed what Crystal Palace is about as a club and the intrinsic link between Palace fans and the community. An impeccably observed silence before kick-off, a fitting display organised by the Holmesdale Fanatics and a programme cover with a tribute to the victims of the Croydon Tram accident all showed unity between the club and community. While many of us on social media are involved in match discussion, the reality at Selhurst Park on Saturday was that perspective has not been lost; club, fans and community are as one for things that matter beyond football.