Crystal Palace battled to a superb 2-2 draw away at Manchester City, having come back from a two goal deficit against the Champions.
Goals from Jack Grealish and Rico Lewis had given the hosts a 2-0 lead, and it would have been very easy to write Palace off at that point, but Roy Hodgson’s side fought back, and goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise helped snatch a point from the jaws of defeat.
Olise kept his cool to net an injury-time penalty in what was an outstanding display, but another player deserves immense credit for his performance.
Palace went into the game facing an injury crisis, with both first-choice central midfielders Jefferson Lerma and Chieck Doucoure in the long list of absentees.
Defenders Chris Richards and Jairo Riedewald lined up in midfield as a result, but an injury to Joel Ward in the first half meant that youngster David Ozoh was thrown into the action, and he delivered a masterclass.
David Ozoh was outstanding against Manchester City
Ozoh came on for his first significant appearance this season, having managed just four minutes of action so far this season, but the 18-year-old coped very well in difficult circumstances.
He came on with Palace already 1-0 down at the Etihad Stadium, a nightmare scenario for most teams, but delivered a masterclass in midfield, with Richards dropping back into the defence.
In 56 minutes, Ozoh completed 91% of his passes as he was composed in the middle of the park, whilst he also won three of his four attempted ground duels as per FOTMOB.
He also won two tackles as Palace clawed their way back into the game, and he was a huge part in what could be a season-defining comeback.
Ozoh deserves another chance to shine
Hodgson’s lack of faith in Crystal Palace’s youth players has been criticised this season, and Ozoh’s excellent display has shown why he, and other talented young players, should be given more opportunities.
With Lerma and Doucoure both injured, Ozoh now deserves an opportunity from the start for Palace. Given that he coped superbly with the pressure of playing away at the Champions, he has both the talent and the composure to deliver strong performances from the start.
