Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has opened up on why he started Ghanaian striker Jordan Ayew over Michael Olise in their goalless against Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.
Ayew made his first start for the Eagles since returning from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, where he was eliminated with Ghana in the group stages.
Olise had started the previous four games under Vieira - scored four and provided six assists since joining Palace last summer from Reading.
He replaced Ayew in the 78th minute of the game.
"Do I really have to go into this decision as to why I chose this player over another one?" Vieira said after the game.
"I don’t really want to go into details. I make decisions.
"It has nothing to do with Michael’s performances in the games that he has played – he did quite really well.
"On the other hand, he started two games, and I just wanted to bring some fresh legs in because I knew how hard and difficult it would be and how hard the front players needed to work.
"With Jordan’s experience, it’s one of the reasons why I made that decision."