Roy Hodgson may not have a magic wand to get his Crystal Palace side firing, but he does have something close.
Wilfried Zaha was handed his first start since submitting a late transfer request in a last-ditch attempt to force through a move to Everton.
He has been back in training for two weeks after being given an extended break following the Africa Cup of Nations, but the Ivorian cut a deeply frustrated figure.
The 26-year-old was shackled superbly by George Baldock and Chris Basham, the former on the receiving end of the first of a few angry outbursts from the winger, another directed at Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder as they came together at a throw in, as the ideas dried up and patience wore thin.
There were flashes of what Zaha is capable of, but the Blades’ back line were sharper than any in the Palace ranks, three red and white shirts converging on him each time he took possession.
As the second half wore on and gaps in the hosts’ defence refused to open up for the visitors, Zaha’s temper came to the fore once more in a frank discussion with his captain Luka Milivojevic during a break in play, the forward left shaking his head as he walked away.
Palace boss Hodgson admitted a sense of “disappointment and failure” at the lack of new signings in much needed areas over the summer, a striker high on his wanted list for the new season to bring a level of quality not possessed by either Christian Benteke — anonymous yesterday — or Jordan Ayew, whose loan deal last season — made permanent over the summer — brought just one Premier League goal.
The truth is, their front line remains overwhelmingly reliant on Zaha. When he is focused and firing, that is merely an afterthought; when something isn’t quite right, Palace are easier to contain. The fact they have yet to find the net this season speaks volumes about Zaha’s situation — even after only two games.
Palace were lucky not to go into the break a goal behind, John Lundstram finding David McGoldrick at the back post, only for the veteran striker to send his effort straight at Vicente Guaita.
The Blades did not have to wait long to take the lead, though, Lundstram scoring the game’s only goal just two minutes into the second half, having been teed up by Guaita’s parry from Luke Freeman’s effort.
All the talk following the closure of the transfer window has been of Zaha’s unwavering commitment to the club. That may be so, but tiny percentages count in Premier League football and one only needs to look to last season for justification.
An outburst early in the campaign, around protection from referees, after he scored the only goal in a win at Huddersfield was followed by a 16-game League run without a goal. Palace won just three of them.
Hodgson has plenty to address ahead of this weekend’s trip to Manchester United, but none more so than getting his main man back on track.
