Sam Allardyce had made clear his initial target upon returning to club management at Crystal Palace. “Let’s stop losing,” he had offered when outlining his early ambitions in the role and, after three days in situ and two training sessions under his belt, he can at least argue he has succeeded in his primary aim. After eight losses in Alan Pardew’s last 10 games in charge, this would normally feel like an improvement. Yet the point accrued here at Watford felt wasteful.
Allardyce will better understand now why this team have infuriated too often this term. His new side had eclipsed the hosts up to the break, but rather shrunk thereafter as ambition gave way to jangling nerves. Watford were worthy of their equaliser, though Palace’s mood was hardly improved in what time remained. Wilfried Zaha was booked for simulation after crumpling under Miguel Britos’ contact in the area, and had to be dragged down the tunnel by the visitors’ coaching staff after the home side’s mascot, Harry the Hornet, dived in comic fashion in front of him near the touchline after the final whistle.
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