Crystal Palace 1 – 2 Bournemouth

#BourenmouthBlogger fan review by Mark Wallington (Twitter: @mark_wallington)

Emmanuel Adebayor was the focus of all the previews to this game, but it was Bournemouth’s transfer window signing, Benik Afobe, who stole the post-match headlines.

Jimmy Greaves once scored forty four goals in a season and claimed only half of them hit the back of the net. He knew how important it was for a striker to save energy. Benik Afobe looks a similar sort of player. He featured only fleetingly in this game until the 57^th minute when he was presented with a rebound off the Palace goalie. He headed it just hard enough for the ball to creep over the line with the keeper scrambling. Shortly afterwards he was subbed. Points secured; job done.

This was a closely fought match with only one certainty: the winning team would be sponsored by Mansion Group. Maybe it was this bond that created the derby feel with lots of posturing and provocation – and that was just on the terraces. On the pitch Wilfried Zaha had the Bournemouth defence snapping angrily at his heels every time he touched the ball. He was so fast he made the opposition look as though they were stuck in slow motion, and it was no surprise when one of his wicked, whipped-in crosses led to Palace opening the scoring.

At the other end Pugh was putting in a similarly dazzling performance. Players like Pugh seem to have an extra leg. Just when you think they’ve lost the ball another limb appears from somewhere and flicks it past the opponent. He had a couple of trial runs before he wriggled his way through the Palace ranks and somehow managed to wrap his foot round the ball and send it slithering into the bottom corner. He looked as surprised as anybody.

One each at the interval, but the only people in the stadium happy with that score were the Mansion Group. Both teams came out for the second half just as stoked as the first, and determined to force a result.

The battle became fierce. After one tackle too many, Zaha had had enough and he turned on everyone: the crowd, the opposition, his own team, the Palace mascot. Adam Smith was just as lucky to stay on the pitch after a last ditch tackle on Mutch as he charged through on goal. But then Afobe put Bournemouth ahead and everything changed. Pardew brought on Adebayor, and the away fans prepared for a half hour of white-knuckle defending.

Eddie Howe, of course, had other ideas. When Afobe was substituted we all thought: good idea, bring on another defender; but forward Josh King was introduced. With Palace attacking at full throttle, and Bournemouth breaking the first rule in the Eddie Howe book of tactics – thou shalt not hoof the ball upfield – Ritchie was taken off , and we thought: now, surely he’ll bolster the defence. Nope. On trotted Lewis Grabban.

By now Bournemouth had more attackers on the pitch than Palace. In the ninetieth minute when the board went up again we expected Eddie to try and sneak Afobe back on, but at last Distin appeared to steer the team through five tortuous minutes of injury time.

It was a well-earned and priceless win for the Cherries. With twenty eight points there’s now daylight between them and the bottom four teams. They’re also only three points behind Palace. It looks like the Mansion Group’s plan to have both teams finish with the same haul is going well.

#PalacePundit fan review by William George Eldridge

With the January transfer window finally out of the way, attention turned to South East London as Alan Pardew’s underperforming Crystal Palace Football Club looked to stop their disappointing run with victory over Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth.

January saw Bournemouth among the League’s biggest when the Cherries paid £10m for Wolves striker Benik Afobe. The former Wolves frontman was looking to continue his scoring form; a form that had already surpassed the total goals by all Crystal Palace strikers put together. Palace’s new striker Emmanuel Adebayor, starting on the bench, was looking to change the Eagle’s fortunes, whilst the fans were praying his attitude stay positive, never mind scoring.

A solid start by Palace was influenced by an in-form Wilf Zaha, who was running the Bournemouth defence ragged. The hosts battled tirelessly to end their miserable run, with Wilf Zaha a constant threat on the left wing – The Eagles took the lead when defender Scott Dann turned in Wilf Zaha’s low cross. Relief circled Selhurst Park as this match saw a Palace player finally find the net for the first time since 19 December, but the fact that Zaha’s assist for the first goal was his first of the season tells you all you need to know about the effectiveness of Palace’s strikers.

But Palace’s lead lasted barely six minutes before Marc Pugh cleverly bought himself space and fired in a precise low shot. Twisting and turning his way on the edge of the Palace box, Palace’s defence allowed him too much space, ending with the scores drawing level.

Half time occurred, with both sides unsure of how the match was going to shape up. An injury to James McArthur forced Pardew to substitute Jordon Mutch into the frame, with the young midfielder yet to reach his stride in the famous red and blue.

Alas, his influence was non-existent, like the majority of the Crystal Palace team. Bournemouth slowly took the game to Crystal Palace, who couldn’t find consistency in their play. On the 57^th minute, Benik Afobe continued to show his new value to his new side, by popping up with what seemed to be the winner. He was the quickest to follow up the rebound from Hennessey’s save via a Matt Richie shot to put AFC Bournemouth into the lead.

With half hour to go, the home crowd were doing their best to urge their side on to gain maximum points from the fixture. Marouane Chamakh wasted the best chance when he fired straight at Artur Boruc from Mile Jedinak’s cut-back. Repeated attacks from Zaha only drew frustration from both sides, Bournemouth claiming he was going down easy, whilst Zaha claimed he had no protection from the referee.

Nevertheless, the match remained the same. The full time whistle blew, and Crystal Palace had lost for the fifth time in succession, Bournemouth’s form was rapidly coming into fruition – just 3 points off Crystal Palace, who just months ago were flying high in 6^th position.

Next up for Bournemouth was a television appearance at home to Arsenal, whilst Crystal Palace faced a trip to Wales to face relegation battlers Swansea City. For Pardew’s men, the work starts here.