The two images that sum up Vicente Guaita’s huge improvement since big blunder
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Crystal Palace played out a classic end-to-end thriller with Cardiff at the weekend, with the Eagles’ three goals relegating their hosts and thus ensuring bitter rivals Brighton survived the drop.
There were a number of key talking points, including Jordan Ayew’s solid all-round performance, Wilfried Zaha’s vintage wing magic and another Andros Townsend rifle, while Vicente Guaita’s stoic display between the sticks was a highlight.
The Spaniard kept the Bluebirds at bay with some fine, reflex stops from close range although these have been typical of his showings since ousting Wayne Hennessey from the starting XI. What the former Getafe man has struggled with, though, is coming for crosses – the shot-stopper’s blunder against Watford saw Etienne Capoue fire the hosts ahead and he continued to flap at balls into the box throughout.
However, this was far from the case at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, with the 32-year-old assured and strong when Neil Warnock’s side looked to test him with long balls and corners.
The goalkeeper has made some big improvements in this area of his game since his howler versus Watford and, aside perhaps from the lack of communication with Martin Kelly for Cardiff’s equaliser, his decision-making has been far, far better. Now, he looks like being the Eagles’ best custodian in years.
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Above, the Palace number 31 beats brutish Bluebird Sean Morrison to the ball despite Aron Gunnarsson putting him under plenty of pressure – a real test for any goalkeeper.
By dominating his area Guaita gives the aforementioned Kelly and Scott Dann, who have been standing in capably for James Tomkins and Mamadou Sakho, the confidence that they have a reliable pair of hands behind them – something they have clearly benefited from greatly while they deputise for the first-choice duo.