Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone kept a clean sheet on the weekend and his performance was massively praised by BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks.
The English international was named in Crooks’ Team of the Week.
So, what did the BBC Sport pundit have to say about Crystal Palace star Sam Johnstone? Let’s take a look…
What’s the story?
Palace winning 2-0 on the weekend against Burnley was a big result and Johnstone was on top form as he kept his fifth clean sheet of the season. This is the joint most in the Premier League.
Crooks placed Johnstone in his BBC Sport Team of the Week and raved over the performance of the goalkeeper. He said: “This wasn’t the best away performance I’ve seen from Crystal Palace this season but their goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was unbeatable.
“He dealt with a very difficult strike from Luca Koleosho and another later in the game from Josh Brownhill, but his best save came from a Jay Rodriguez header from close range.”
The goalkeeper has no doubt been one of the stars this season for the Eagles and without him Palace would have definitely not been able to keep as many clean sheets.
Crystal Palace star Sam Johnstone praised by Garth Crooks
The signing of Johnstone on a free transfer is looking like a great bit of business by Crystal Palace and sadly, it makes the big-money signing of Dean Henderson, who is currently injured, look like a waste of money for now.
Johnstone has made many top saves this season, and against Burnley, he was called upon multiple times when the score was at 1-0.
Johnstone’s distribution is not always the best, but he is a great shot stopper and that is exactly what the Eagles need.
Palace are just outside the top 10 despite their recent injury crisis and with Eberechi Eze returning on the weekend and Michael Olise nearly back, the club could easily start looking up the division.
Johnstone, who earns around £40,000-a-week, has definitely been unbeatable on occasions like Crooks mentions.
If he can continue his fine form then he could surprisingly be in with a shout of winning the Golden Glove, especially under a defensive manager like Roy Hodgson.
