Sir Trevor Brooking
Former West Ham and England midfielder at Vicarage Road

Image source, Reuters

Wowzers, what a terrible penalty. 

We've just seen a clip of Sam Allardyce watching it on the sideline and he actually stopped chewing his gum - it was that bad. 

Image source, Getty Images

But it's a terrible effort from Christian Benteke. 

Think Gareth Southgate in 1996. Easily scooped up by Heurelho Gomes.

The big question though: Should Gomes have seen red for that clip on Benteke? The angle was tight. The keeper didn't even get a yellow...

Disaster for Watford. Heurelho Gomes takes out Christian Benteke in the box. It is out wide, Benteke gets the ball and Gomes does the rest, contact is made. He just cannot get out of the way in time.

I'd have to agree with Sir Trev on this one. There's plenty of burl and bluster about the Watford attack but they'd do well to get much change out of this Palace back line through the route one approach.

There's danger for the home side on the counter as Wilfried Zaha's powerful shot at goal has its sting sweetened by Sebastian Prodl's block.

Mat VP: I have never been a fan of Andros Townsend too inconsistent but that was fantastic football to create that goal.

David Simpson: You can see the physical element Big Sam has told them he's expecting already. 

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Sir Trevor Brooking
Former West Ham and England midfielder at Vicarage Road

So far this half we have mentioned the words "hanging cross" or "floated in" on a number of occasions but that back line of Crystal Palace are so tall it seems a little pointless. 

If Watford want to make an impact that is not the way to go in my opinion. 

A sight, just a glimpse of goal for Watford. 

Adlene Guedioura bends in a cross looking for Odion Ighalo, inviting the forward to chance a dart into its tempting arc right in front of the Palace keeper. But at the crucial time the delivery just fades out of reach and bounces beyond for a goal kick.

There is no strong editorial reason to put this in the live. But we couldn't resist....I mean, what else would you do with your winter break? 

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Invigorated. That's Yohan Cabaye. He steals the ball away from the Watford middle and rattles another shot at goal that zips just wide. 

Are Crystal Palace a team transformed?

Sir Trevor Brooking
Former West Ham and England midfielder at Vicarage Road

Yohan Cabaye kept his head and drills it in - didn't need to look.

It's the least Crystal Palace deserve after the way they have started this match.

It looks like an uphill climb for Watford for me.

Trevor Brooking
Former West Ham and England midfielder at Vicarage Road

The game has settled a little now. 

I have to say the early flurry of activity from Crystal Palace has totally gone.

Odion Ighalo, reunited now with Troy Deeney up top, is no longer tasked with leading Watford's line alone and is coming deeper to collect. 

That's given the home side a bit more presence in the middle, and a greater share of play after Palace's zippy start to the Allardyce era. 

Not much in the way of chances created yet though.

Opta are telling us it's the fourth time in Premier League history a team has had to make two changes through injury in the first 15 minutes of a match. 

Any shouts for the other three?..

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Is there a doctor in the house? Sounds like a line from a 1930s gangster film shortly after a masked fella has just sprayed a round of bullets around the place.

But it is actually a plea for help from a League Two football club. Anyone?

Image source, Getty Images

Ouch. Younes Kaboul takes a really nasty tumble leaping over the back of Christian Benteke in a challenge for a high ball. 

Luckily for Watford, he seems OK. Three changes through injury in the opening 18 minutes would be absurd. Two is already ridiculously bad luck. Ever seen anything like it?..

Troy Deeney lurks as Jose Holebas sets himself up to knock in a corner from the Watford right. The first real pressure the Hornets have mustered... but it comes to naught as Deeney's penalised for a foul on his marker in the box. 

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Trevor Brooking
Former West Ham and England midfielder at Vicarage Road

Image source, AFP

Sam Allardyce is probably enjoying what he is seeing here.

At the moment, if you are looking for who is going to get that first goal, I should think it would be the visitors.