CRYSTAL PALACE 1 SWANSEA 2

BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT SELHURST PARK

Swansea did the double over Crystal Palace thanks to a late goal by Angel Rangel. Although this game was not as dramatic as their first meeting, the conclusion was just as sweet for the Welsh side and these points could be crucial in Swansea’s bid to stay in the Premiership.

This was relegation six-pointer.  Both teams had replaced their managers after a dismal first half of the season. In the case of Swansea this was their third manager (fourth if you count the interim coach Alan Curtis). This was Sam Allardyce’s first home game since he replaced Alan Pardew and he is still searching for his first win after three games. His opposite number Paul Clement started in the stands as Alan Curtis took up the reins but Clement would later join the dugout in the second half.

Swansea started the brighter of both sides as Wayne Routledge whipped the ball into the Palace area, which was met by a Fernando Llorente header, which was just wide. Palace were very sloppy and struggled to string two passes together before giving the ball away.  The Palace fans soon got on their case.   Shortly after that Alfie Mawson nearly gifted Palace a goal as he headed Yohan Cabaye’s free kick straight back to him but from a tight angle he could only find the side netting.

Federico Fernandez went close as he headed a free kick from Gylfi Sigurdsson over the bar.  Palace’s marking was non- existent. Swansea continued to dominate possession as Llorente held the ball up and brought the likes of Jack Cork and Sigurdsson into play.

With two minutes of the half left Swansea made their domination count when they were awarded a free kick inside Palace’s half.  Sigurdsson swung the ball into the area and Mawson met it with a header, which nestled in Wayne Hennessey’s left hand bottom corner.  The Palace side departed to a chorus of boos due to their abject showing in the first half.

At the start of the second half Allardyce replaced Christian Benteke with Fraizer Campbell. Shortly after that Bakary Sako replaced Andros Townsend.  Palace’s performance improved. Wilfried Zaha who is due depart for the African Cup of Nations after the game began to get on the ball and make this happen down right channel.  Damian Delaney joined the attack and set up Sako with a header on the edge of the D of the Swansea area but he blazed his shot over the bar.

In the 87^th minute Campbell got the ball and played it out wide to Martin Kelly, who’s cross was met by a spectacular volley by Zaha to bring the Eagles level.  No wonder Allardyce is sad to see him go to the African Cup of Nations. Although his use of the ball is sometimes called into question he is the one bright spark who could make things happen. He will also miss Sako who is also off to the Nations Cup.

As often is the case down at Selhurst Park they often have moments when they switch off.  Leroy Fer’s long ball found fellow second half substitute, Angel Rangel, who took it on his chest and turned with one movement leaving the Palace defence for dead as he calmly slotted the ball past Hennessey to restore Swansea’s lead just before the end of normal time. Palace did not recover from that. Swansea had managed the game better despite being under the cosh for most of the second half.

Alan Curtis said:” Paul came down and made a real positive substitution.  He had an input in the substitutions. I told the players who started that with the manager in the stands you have got the first chance to impress.”  

Sam Allardyce said:” We did not have the energy levels to get up to Swansea due to lack of recovery time. We have only had one clean sheet this season and only 7 wins in our last 30 games. We have to accept that the fans were displeased with our performance because they have a right to.”