Crystal Palace 2022/23 season review: Hodgson steers wounded Eagles clear of relegation | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have ended a season littered with close calls, having escaped a relegation battle following a remarkable second half of the campaign.

The Eagles were one of the few clubs to benefit from a mid-season managerial change, with the club headed for doom during Patrick Vieira’s ill-fated tenure.

Roy Hodgson’s return raised a few eyebrows, but those scepticisms were soon banished as the experienced Englishman inspired a phenomenal renaissance, steering Palace to an 11th-placed finish.

Here’s Crystal Palace’s 2022/23 season review.

Player of the Year: Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze was one of several players who took their game to new heights under Hodgson after scoring six times in his last nine games of the season.

However, his on-the-ball prowess and exotic performances won the hearts of the Eagles faithful and neutrals alike after dazzling with precise dribbling and nimble footwork.

The 24-year-old flourished with Hodgson at the helm racking up 14 goal contributions.

His form caught the eye of England boss Gareth Southgate who rewarded him with a first senior call-up to the national team.

Performance of the season

Hodgson wasted no time turning things around at Selhurst Park after edging Leicester City 2-1 on his home debut at the start of April.

They stepped things up eight days later when they crushed Leeds United 5-1 at Elland Road, netting four times in a riotous second-half performance.

The result was even more impressive, considering they were trailing by the odd goal until first-half stoppage time when Marc Guehi nudged them back level.

Palace showed signs of a transformed team, and battering Leeds set them on an upward trajectory that ended with another mid-table finish.

Disappointment of the season

After a mixed start to the season, where they took just 13 points from their opening ten games (W3, D4, L3), Palace hit a rocky patch at the turn of the new year.

Following a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve, the Eagles failed to win any of their subsequent 12 games.

They picked up just five points from that appalling run of form (D5, L7), and a 1-0 defeat to arch-rivals Brighton & Hove Albion proved the final nail in Vieira’s reign.

There was plenty of expectation from the Frenchman at the start of the campaign, especially after a positive first year under his leadership.

However, it ended in disappointment, with the 46-year-old leaving the club in turmoil and on the brink of doom.

What do the stats say?

Following all the mid-season gloom, Palace’s decision to recall Hodgson was vindicated, with the Englishman ensuring they remained in the English top flight for an 11th consecutive campaign.

The Eagles avoided relegation by some distance with 11 points separating them from the bottom three while finishing above their heavy-spending London rivals Chelsea in the Premier League table.

They accumulated 45 points (W11, D12, L15) – three less than last season’s tally (48), although still more than they managed in the two seasons before.

They scored just 40 goals (1.1 per match) which is fair enough considering they created just 39 big chances (1.4 per game) despite the host of talents at their disposal.

Palace also conceded 49 goals (1.32 per match), with Sam Johnstone and Vicente Guaita managing 111 saves between them. They also registered a combined nine clean sheets.

Verdict

Palace have turned a season that threatened a downward spiral on its head to register their customary mid-table finish.

However, there is still uncertainty surrounding the club’s long-term goal and direction, with Hodgson expected to depart Selhurst Park once his short-term contract expires.

Whether or not they can convince the legendary figure to extend his stay in the dugout remains to be seen, but their next managerial appointment will say a lot about their ambitions.

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See all Premier League 2022/23: Team-by-team season reviews.