PALACE HAVE WASTED A SEASON

ONCE again, faced with superior opposition, Crystal Palace only tried to win the game having lost it. At Tottenham, they were 2-0 down before getting on the front foot late, and delivering several scares; against Manchester City, the same scoreline sparked life and Palace actually pulled a goal back before being caught by a counter-attack. Yet this isn’t a weak squad. It is potentially a match for any of the six teams

above them in the Premier League table, yet too often they go out to play with minimum ambition. Leicester are seventh, but Palace have beaten them home and away this season. They have beaten Wolves away, too. If Palace lose Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer, Roy Hodgson’s caution may be justifiable. This season, however, has been a waste.