Joel Ward Crystal Palace
Joel Ward was full of praise for Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita for a number of ‘worldie saves’ against Newcastle United. The Magpies feel aggrieved to have come away with a point after Tyrick Mitchell’s own goal was ruled out for a dubious foul on the Eagles shotstopper. The Palace defender pushed Willock into the Spanish goalkeeper before VAR ruled a foul to have taken place. Guaita was at the centre of one of the games flashpoints, but also pulled off a number of impressive saves to keep the score 0-0.
Joel Ward said: “Look at the first-half, the one on one, and the second-half where he tips it onto the post. V, we know his quality, know what he can do and how quick he is. His reactions are second to none. Some games, some days, you need your ‘keepers to pull out those worldie saves and today he did that for us. I think both teams had their fair share of chances. To be honest with you, on another day we could have come away with three points. It was a bit of a scrappy, dogged game where both teams had their backs against the ropes at times. I think it can go either way but for us when decisions went our way and we had a few chances on the counter-attack and good opportunities to put the ball away. But it’s a great point in the right direction and obviously a valuable clean sheet as well. You know what kind of threat they pose, especially from set plays. I think we did well to nullify that and keep them at bay and see that out. I think everyone from front to back did well and made sure they competed at set plays and made it difficult for Newcastle. It’s a clean sheet and that’s something we want to see more of.”
