Wilfried Zaha will get the headlines after Crystal Palace’s 1-1 draw with bitter rivals Brighton, but fans were left tipping their hat to an unsung hero.
Neal Maupay’s goal minutes after the break looked to have given the Seagulls victory with Palace having failed to register a shot or mount a serious attack for over an hour.
Lacking creativity or class on the ball, Roy Hodgson introduced Max Meyer to the occasion and the mood changed instantly.
Buoyed by their manager’s approach, the Palace faithful raised their voices and in-kind the players raised their performance.
Jordan Ayew, Christian Benteke and Zaha lifted their levels dramatically and within minutes Palace were level.
READ:REPORT:Crystal Palace 1 Brighton 1
READ:PLAYER RATINGS: Crystal Palace 1 Brighton 1
Showing composure and creativity on the ball that had been lacking, Meyer went on to give his admirers more ammunition to justify them to demand a starting berth for the German.
Meyer came on and changed the game yet I’m meant to believe he’s not good enough? #CPFC
— Meyernnaise (@OliCPFC) (@Meyernnaise) December 16, 2019
We were awful for 60+ minutes. I mean, seriously bad. The worst we’ve been for a long time. But the introduction of Max Meyer changed the game. He brought Wilf, Ayew and Benteke to life #CRYBHA #CPFC
— Matt W (@theDiablo_96) December 16, 2019
#CPFC when will Roy learn that Meyer is one of our best players and he needs to play more !! Instant impact when he plays more forward balls !! Must start next game !!
— Tyler Towner (@TheGnomeisSouth) December 16, 2019
Shock horror that Meyer changed the game for us and played some superb passes #cpfc
— Rob Naish (@Naishy89) December 16, 2019
Max Meyer needs to be starting. Came on and changed the game tonight. Quality goal as well. #cpfc
— Eagles_______ (@cpfc1905___) December 16, 2019
I can't remember the last time a substitute made such a positive change to the game.
— GazBod (@gazbod) December 16, 2019
Max Meyer........ #CPFC
Such an incredible coincidence that an insanely terrible midfield performance saw a turnaround the second Meyer came on
— xoxo, uzworm (@uzworm) December 16, 2019
Farcical at this point #cpfc
Poor performance from Palace, which improved significantly once Max Meyer came on. Got to take the point after that. #cpfc
— Daren (@cpdaren) December 16, 2019
Preaching to the choir my man, that game was screaming out for a player to control the game and be calm in possession, when is Roy going to realise he needs to start at least I’m home games #CPFC #meyer
— James McEvilly (@JimmyMcEvilly) December 16, 2019
Wilf with a moment of magic to get #cpfc a point. Meyer made a huge difference - someone who could give and take a pass and offered some much needed off the ball movement.
— James Louis Kelley (@jameslkelley) December 16, 2019
max meyer is such a naughty little player when he turns up as well, completely changed up our dynamic and got us on top #CPFC
— joe (@joecallon) December 16, 2019
Only start playing when we concede a goal. Meyer makes a difference. Needs to start. Otherwise poor performance really. #CPFC
— jamie whittaker (@whitsy13) December 16, 2019
Meyer gives wilf space to do what he does so well which is freedom, under Roy this will only happen unfortunately when he comes on as a sub 🙄🔴🔵🦅#cpfc
— John Ng (@Jonno55Ng) December 16, 2019
Meyer was the complete difference tonight! #cpfc
— Ray Banks (@rayraybanks86) December 16, 2019
It's not surprising that once Max Meyer came on we were able to get the ball to the front men. Benteke, Ayew & Zaha were electric together. Start him next game. It's not rocket science. #CPFC
— Nick 🦅 (@Nick_CPFC) December 16, 2019
Roy listen to most Palace fans when I say you’ve got to start Meyer for now on #cpfc
— Frozzy (@TheGamertek1) December 16, 2019
Phew, will take that. Awful for about 70 mins, Meyer made a huge difference Wilf producing a bit of magic. Up to 9th! Take that all day after that start #cpfc
— Clinton Davey (@ClintonDavey) December 16, 2019
Max came on and suddenly palace went from being outplayed to being the far better team 🤷♂ conclusion play max Meyer #CPFC
— az (@arynmatthee) December 16, 2019
That has got me asking one huge fucking question. Why the fuck does Max Meyer not get more game time? Completely changed the game today. He is so wasted at our club. #cpfc
— L.i.am (@GilesyL14) December 16, 2019
Heres an idea..... START MAX MEYER!!! #cpfc
— CPFC (@Steveg1581) December 16, 2019
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