Crystal Palace continued their impressive spell of form on the weekend after recording their third win in a row. The 1-0 victory against Watford came courtesy of a Jordan Ayew strike in the 28th minute.
This resulted in Ayew being named Man of the Match according to WhoScored, with an 8/10 match rating. However, Ayew’s strike could have been cancelled out by Troy Deeney if not for a stunning save from Vicente Guaita, who is valued at £4.5 million (as per Transfermarkt).
Who was more valuable during the Watford match?
Ayew
Guaita
Palace posted footage of the save on Twitter. Fans gushed over the goalkeeper, applauding his acrobatics to deny the English forward. Some fans admit that, without Guaita, they wouldn’t be where they are this season. Another suggests that, if he were English, the Spanish shot-stopper would be the country’s number one.
https://twitter.com/carter385/status/1236686428358270977
Wish he could play for England!! An Eagle through and through
— Di (@RidingsDiane) March 8, 2020
Our keeper
— Mikael Westerback (@MikaelWesterba1) March 8, 2020
Premier League’s best keeper
— Alex Westry (@alex_westry) March 8, 2020
We love you @vguaita13
— Crystal Palace France (@cpfcfrance) March 8, 2020
bravo @vguaita13 pic.twitter.com/Ynl5GDw5Iz
— Just Nana! (@SheilaTnowC) March 8, 2020
What do we think?
Guaita’s heroics earned him a 7.7/10 match rating from WhoScored. These fan reactions make it clear that he is highly rated at Selhurst Park.
In 27 Premier League matches, the goalkeeper has recorded nine clean sheets this season. Considering he made the move to Palace on a free transfer two summers ago, Palace can consider this move a brilliant piece of business.