Match ratings from Crystal Palace's opening day defeat

Eberechi Eze saw a stunning free-kick ruled out in the 26th minute after Sam Barrat blew his whistle for what he thought was a foul - a decision he has apologised to the Crystal Palace squad for.

Just three minutes later, Bryan Mbeumo fired the hosts in front after some questionable defending from Palace. 

Following the goal, the Eagles were more like deers in headlights and should have conceded a second moments after. 

Brentford had joy on the break with an aerially weak Palace defence unable to handle the balls over the top to Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. 

Palace drew level in what was a bizarre own goal. Shortly after, the visitors had the ball in the back of the net for a third time. However, Odsonne Edouard was deemed to be fractionally offside. 

Brentford landed the killer blow in the 76th minute, with Wissa scoring a tap in after some embarrassing defending from Chris Richards and Daniel Munoz.

There were some encouraging signs, but things did not quite click for the South London club. Here are our match ratings. 

Dean Henderson - 6/10 

An average game for the Crystal Palace goalkeeper. His brightest moment was when he came charging out of the net to claim the ball and launch it into the stands. 

His distribution was questionable, but there was not much he could have done about either goal. He saw the first late, and a deflection off Daniel Munoz made it difficult for Henderson to stop the second. 

Chris Richards - 4/10 

Crystal Palace’s American centre-half was beaten far too often. The Brentford attack found it far too easy to exploit Palace’s defence. Picked up a yellow for a tactical foul.

Comical defending for Brentford’s winner, allowing Collins to turn in the six-yard box.  

Richards was frequently beaten in the air and could not compete in his duels. A substandard performance from the defender. 

Joachim Andersen - 4.5/10 

Saved the day for Palace on numerous occasions in the first half. Stepped in when Oliver Glasner’s side were exploited on the counter-attack. 

However, the Dane was miles out of position for Brentford’s opener and picked up a yellow card for a cynical challenge on the halfway line. 

Struggled to get his passing going with his typical long balls ineffective. Was Palace’s best defender in the air - winning all of his duels. 

Marc Guehi - 4/10

Was booked for a reckless lunge on Mads Roerslev. Had to do better for Brentford’s opener. He stood off Bryan Mbeumo for far too long and allowed him to get a punishing shot away. 

A disappointing afternoon from the man who Steve Parish described as a “superstar defender” this week. 

Daniel Munoz - 5/10 

The Copa America finalist was caught out of position far too often - especially in the first half. He was decent going forward, but Kevin Schade was afforded too much space on the right flank. 

When Munoz did engage in one-on-ones he was strong, albeit he failed to engage himself in such battles often. 

Forced Palace’s leveller, feasting of Tyrick Mitchell’s cross into the far post. The wing-back won the header, which Ethan Pinnock could not handle as he tapped it into his own net. 

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Alongside Richards, his defence for the winner was weak.

Will Hughes - 5/10 

Lightweight in midfield. A couple of frustrating loose passes. Play was bypassing him. Rarely made tackles, interceptions or recoveries. Was inefficient at breaking up play. Committed two fouls.

Played 84 minutes, albeit he was crying out to be pulled off earlier. 

Adam Wharton 7.5/10 

Oliver Glasner might not be David Copperfield, but Adam Wharton could be. He exhibited his magical on-the-ball ability all game long. Wharton played numerous four incisive passes into the final third, flaunting his composed and impressive array of passing. The England international had control of midfield until he was subbed off in the 74th minute. 

He showed his creative spark on a couple of occasions on the edge of the box - attempting shots on goal. Won six duels and made six recoveries. A very solid showing. 

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Tyrick Mitchell - 7/10

Provided a good cross in the build-up to the equaliser. He was Palace’s best defender, making ten recoveries and seven clearances. Should have done better in his duels. 

Daichi Kamada - 5.5/10

Pressured the keeper into a monumental mistake, which opened up a gaping goal for Eberechi Eze - who ended up being hacked down on the edge of the box. 

Inventive in spells. As expected, he’s still adjusting to the scenery of the Premier League. Had some bright moments, but will need to improve. 

Jean-Philippe Mateta - 5/10 

Was only afforded 45 minutes by Glasner after returning from the Olympics on Wednesday. Did not have too much of an impact. Was manhandled by the Brentford centre-backs, which the referee took too long to penalise. 

Eberechi Eze - 7/10 

Respectable showing. Tried to make things happen. Scored a stunning free-kick in the 29th minute that totally caught Mark Flekken off guard. However, a piece of embarrassing refereeing saw it chalked off.

Substitutes:

Odsonne Edouard (45th minute for Mateta) - 6/10 

Was good when deployed through the middle. Held the ball up well and looked threatening. Had the ball in the back of the net, but was adjudged to have been marginally offside. 

Once moved out wide - in what was a baffling decision by Glasner - he became completely inefficient. 

Jordan Ayew (70th minute for Kamada)  - 5/10 

Offered nothing. Was put up-front, displacing Edouard, which failed to have the desired effect. 

Jefferson Lerma (76th minute for Wharton) - 5/10

Sprayed the ball around well. Did decently in the middle. Should have come on 20 minutes earlier. 

Cheick Doucoure (84th minute for Hughes) - 6/10

In a brief cameo, he showed his excessive-quality on his return from an Achilles injury. Crystal Palace fans should be excited about the potential of a Doucoure-Wharton midfield. 

Ismaila Sarr (84th minute for Richards) - 5/10 

Failed to affect the game, but that’s expected when an attacker is only granted 10 minutes to have an impact. 

Manager: Oliver Glasner - 5/10 

Poor in-game management from the Austrian. Displacing Edouard to put Ayew through the middle was a strange decision that proved counter-intuitive. 

It was abundantly clear from the first minute that Crystal Palace were the weaker team in the air, but Glasner did not react and his team frequently went long. 

The Eagles were always a man short at the back with both wing-backs extremely high. It meant Brentford were able to turn Palace over easily, which was detrimental with long balls over the top incredibly damaging.  

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Glasner should have been more proactive with his changes. Tactically, only one wing-back should have pushed forwards and his side would have been a stronger defensive unit. 

His changes were slow, random and unsuitable. Hughes was crying out to be pulled off after an hour, while Sarr should have been given more time to make a difference. 

Referee: Sam Barrott - 3/10 

Appalling referee. Would not look out of place officiating Sunday league. No consistency in his decisions. 

His rash verdicts saw a perfectly good goal ruled out because he was too excitable with his whistle.