PALACE AND BOURNEMOUTH SHARE THE SPOILS

CRYSTAL PALACE 2 BOURNEMOUTH 2

BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT SELHURST PARK

Crystal Palace who were on a high after announcing the expansion of their stadium during the week, crashed back down to earth due to a costly penalty miss, which saw them drop two crucial points at home in a relegation six-pointer against Bournemouth. 

Within the opening minutes Palace made a statement of intent as Jeffrey

Schlupp’s shot was just inches over the bar.  Moments later Wilfried Zaha weaved some magic down the left wing, got into the Bournemouth area and his cross was headed into the ground by Christian Benteke and it was just over the bar. 

Despite Palace’s bright start, Bournemouth scored from their                                   

 first chance of the game.  The goal was straight out of the training ground manual from a corner, which was rolled to Jermain Defoe, who found himself in acres of space in the Palace area and  calmly slotted it past Julian Speroni. That was Defoe’s 200th league goal.

Palace responded as Andros Townsend drove into the Bournemouth area but his shot was blocked by the alert Nathan Ake.  There was a further setback for Palace who had to replace Mamadou Sakho with Scott Dan due to an injury he picked up.

Palace kept pouring forward looking to bring the game level. 

With five minutes of the half left, the Palace keeper launched the ball, which was headed on to Zaha, who was upended by Asmir Begovic and the referee awarded the Eagles a penalty.  Luka Milivojevic slotted the spot kick home to bring Palace level. 

Within a couple of minutes Palace took the lead as the ball came to the substitute Dann who slotted the ball home unmarked at the back post.  You simply could not take your eyes off this compelling game as Bournemouth responded.  A long ball fell to Defoe who outwitted Dann volleyed it Van Basten style over Speroni to bring the visitors from the coast level. Eddie Howe said: “ I was really pleased with both goals. The second one was a trademark run. From that angle he has got now right to score but you need the talent of Defoe to score that.”

Although the second half was entertaining, it did not live up to the highly explosive first half.  Palace had a chance to win it towards the end of normal time when Benteke knocked the ball down to Dann but he missed from close range as his shot sailed over. 

There was still time for drama in added time as Palace were awarded a penalty when Zaha was brought down in the area.  To everyone’s surprise Benteke insisted on taking the penalty rather than let the Milivojevic(who had already scored from the spot) to take it.  Benteke’s penalty was saved by Begovic and that could prove costly at the end of the season.   “We expected Luka to take it. He is our penalty taker.  Christian managed to convince him that he would take it and then he missed it. I don’t know why Benteke took it.

He is stunned and he is disappointed. I must say thought that I think he played well. That is the best I have seen him since I came here” said Roy Hodgson.

The Palace now find themselves back at the foot of the table due to results elsewhere.  They must hope that they retain their Premiership status otherwise they will be playing in an expanded stadium in the Championship.