Crystal Palace were handed a brutal defeat at home to Everton yesterday, and midfielder Cheick Doucoure was surprisingly an unused substitute.
The 23-year-old had started all but one of Palace’s previous 11 league games this season, but was left out as Palace fell to a dramatic loss at Selhurst Park.
Many were surprised that he did not come on at all, with Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes and Eberechi Eze playing in central roles, and Palace were ultimately undone in the middle thanks to Everton’s own Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Roy Hodgson explains Doucoure absence
Speaking via London News Online after the defeat, Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson explained that Doucoure’s absence was partly down to a slight injury.
“Partly that and partly because Will Hughes did so well against Burnley,” Hodgson stated about a potential hamstring knock for Doucoure.
“There was no reason to take him or Jefferson Lerma out of the team – they didn’t particularly deserve that.
“Eze coming back in meant someone had to make way. I could have taken Will Hughes and Lerma out or I could have left Doucoure, who is now going off anyway with Mali to play games.
“He’s been cleared from the injury but he was only cleared on Friday.
“Between Monday and Friday, we didn’t see him. They only gave him a clearance on Friday to play this game today.
“It was an easy decision to start him from the bench rather than play him for 90 minutes in the game.”
Crystal Palace’s injuries
Although Palace were able to welcome Eze and Michael Olise back from injury in recent weeks, Doucoure picking up a knock came as a frustration.
However, Hodgson now has a two-week international break to continue welcoming players back, and the squad will look a lot healthier when Palace visit Luton at the end of November.
Eze was impressive on his first start since returning from injury, whilst Olise was able to make his first appearance of the season following a long-term layoff.
As long as Doucoure does not pick up another injury during the international break, the £60k-a-week midfielder looks set to return to the lineup in two weeks.
