£9m SORLOTH HOPELESSLY OFF TARGET
A WAR of attrition was how Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson described this win over League Two Grimsby. Had Hodgson’s strikers, particularly Alexander Sorloth, been more potent, then progression to the fourth round would have been much simpler. When it came to applying the crucial finish, Sorloth — who signed for £9million on a four-and-a-half year deal from FC Midtjylland last summer — was hopeless. Palace’s pressure eventually told against plucky Grimsby, who were reduced to 10 men just 114 seconds into this tie when Andrew Fox was dismissed with the help of the video assistant referee after he caught Andros Townsend high and late. Jordan Ayew, a second-half substitute, eventually forced the Palace breakthrough with an 87th-minute header. It was cruel on Michael Jolley’s Grimsby, who in the end were peppered with 33 shots, eight of which were on target. They also played with no recognised central defenders due to injuries and a suspension. It was only the fourth time Palace had managed to score at home in 11 games this season. Striker Christian Benteke is back in training but his record is woeful, while Wilfried Zaha is inconsistent and Ayew has hit only two goals this term. So, the topic of goalscorers is a sore one for Hodgson. Signing Sunderland’s Josh Maja, a target of Huddersfield Town, Manchester City and Wolves, was put to him. ‘I have never heard of him, sorry,’ he said. Asked whether he was pleased with the targets suggested by sporting director Dougie Freedman and his scouting team, who Hodgson insists have not recommended the 20-year-old striker, he replied: ‘Yes, I am.’ But somewhere something is going wrong. Only Newcastle and Huddersfield have scored fewer goals in the Premier League and Palace are just six points above the relegation zone. They need to be better at identifying strikers who will be a realistic fit after missing out on Dominic Solanke, who moved from Liverpool to Bournemouth for £19m last Friday.
MAGIC OF THE CUP VERDICT: 3/5
Not pretty but Grimsby fought brilliantly with 10. Unlucky not to earn a replay.