Crystal Palace lack of cutting edge a major concern as long struggle for survival beckons

It is shaping up to be a difficult winter for Crystal Palace. Sunday's defeat at Everton leaves them two points above the relegation zone and, unless they find a cure for their lack of goals, this season will turn into another long struggle to survive.

Only Huddersfield have scored fewer times in the Premier League than Palace and it is hard to see where the Eagles will find enough goals to climb clear of trouble.

Palace, who have managed just five goals in nine matches, now face a brutal run of games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United, so it is possible they could be in the drop zone by the start of December.

The lack of firepower will be a real concern for Roy Hodgson, who had hoped Palace would be free of relegation worry this season. His side looked dangerous from set-pieces, but they struggled to create much from open play, even though they did look a threat on the break.

Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend were paired to provide a double attacking threat and, while they both ran tirelessly, there was a distinct lack of a cutting edge.

Zaha looked the most effective. He was fit enough to start after a thigh injury and won a penalty in the 59th minute when he was tripped by Seamus Coleman but Jordan Pickford saved Luka Milivojevic’s weak spot-kick.

It was a turning point in the game and the miss proved costly as Palace conceded two goals in the final three minutes to slip to a third straight defeat.

The worry for Hodgson is it is hard to see a solution to their shortfalls in front of goal that will ease the burden on their defence.

Christian Benteke is out until next year with a knee injury and, without him, Palace do not have a natural centre-forward. And even when the Belgium striker does return, he has scored only three times in the past 18 months, so hardly guarantees goals.

Zaha and Townsend proved to be an effective front two last season, but playing them both in central positions leaves Palace with no creativity or width in midfield.

Alexander Sorloth has struggled since his £9million move to Selhurst Park in January; similarly Jordan Ayew since joining on loan from Swansea.

One positive was the return of Connor Wickham after almost two years out with a knee injury.

The striker came off the bench for his first appearance since November 2016 and he will give Palace another option when he is back to full fitness. But after such a long spell on the sidelines, he will need to be given time.

Palace were organised, disciplined and defended well for most of the game. But the absence of a genuine frontman was obvious and Hodgson admitted the lack of goals could impact confidence in other areas of the team, although he struck an upbeat note when he said: “We defended well enough to stifle most of their efforts for the best part and I am sure the goals will come.”

As for Zaha, he admitted candidly: “We wouldn’t be Palace if we didn’t do it the hard way.”