Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira urges critics to 'control their emotions' as Eagles bounce back
- Planet Sport writer
- 31 December 2022
Crystal Palace may have answered some of their critics with a 2-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday but Patrick Vieira insisted he never had any doubts over the quality of his side.
Having failed to register a single shot on target in their Boxing Day defeat to Fulham, Palace took control of this match with two first-half goals from set-pieces, both taken by Michael Olise and finished by Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze.
Palace have struggled for consistency in the first half of the season, but sit just outside the Premier League's top 10 going into the new year.
"It was a really good team performance," Vieira said. "I think we played really well. We were aggressive, we were disciplined and when we had possession we showed some quality. It was a really good performance."
Asked if the win brought relief after the Boxing Day loss, Vieira added: "It was relief from people that had doubt on us, on the team, on the players, but I always say I know my players really well, I know how well they can play.
"It's important for me and it's important for everyone at the club to trust the players. We have to understand who we are as a football club. What is difficult is when you have a young group of players who are new in the Premier League, there will be ups and downs.
"I didn't believe we were the worst team after the game against Fulham and I still don't think we have the best team after today. I invite everyone to be a bit more consistent in their emotions and to control their emotions."
Vieira credited goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely with the set-piece ideas that brought the goals.
"We are looking at all aspects of the game and set-pieces is of course one of them," he said. "I think the ideas from Dino were good and the players executed it quite well."
