Bournemouth & Palace ends all square

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26 Dec 2015

By James Gheerbrant BSports

In-form Crystal Palace ended Bournemouth's three-match winning streak with a battling goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium.

Alan Pardew's side started brightly and Simon Francis cleared Damien Delaney's goalbound volley off the line.

But Bournemouth recovered well and Matt Ritchie headed wide before Eunan O'Kane's shot was tipped over.

However, they could not break through as Palace extended their unbeaten away run to four matches.

A draw was a fair result in a match in which both teams enjoyed spells of superiority, but in truth this was a disappointing encounter as two of the division's form teams struggled to carve out clear-cut chances.

A point nevertheless sees Crystal Palace climb one place to fifth, while Bournemouth remain 14th.

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Bournemouth draw a blank

Having scored 10 goals in their previous five matches - an unbeaten run - Bournemouth would have had high hopes of continuing their fine attacking form.

But they struggled to get going as Palace made the stronger start - with Delaney close to giving Palace the lead after 10 minutes.

Thereafter Eddie Howe's side grew into the game, but a mere two shots on target - both from outside the area - tells the tale of a frustrating afternoon.

And Howe admitted: "It's not a scoreline you'd associate with us. We had the best chances, but we're disappointed not to have worked their keeper more."

Palace resolute on the road again

James McArthur and Andrew Surman tackle and recovery maps

Crystal Palace's holding midfielder James McArthur (left) won possession for his side in his own half on eight occasions, with two tackles (green triangles) and six recoveries (orange triangles), whereas his Bournemouth counterpart Andrew Surman (right) managed it only once

While this was hardly a vintage performance from the Eagles, it did demonstrate many of the qualities that have made them such a formidable proposition on the road.

Scott Dann and Damien Delaney gave a typically commanding performance at the back as they totally snuffed out the threat of former Palace striker Glenn Murray and ensured Palace's tally of goals conceded away - seven - remains the lowest in the league.

And in front of the back four James McArthur was excellent, making a team-high four tackles and winning possession on nine occasions - more than anyone else on the pitch.

That solidity was crucial as Palace earned a 36th away point of 2015 - second only to Arsenal.

Man of the match - Scott Dann

Dann picked up a fifth clean sheet of the season - making a team-high five interceptions - and also had three shots

What they said

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe: "It was a real battle, Palace are a very good side, very physical and we certainly knew we were in a game. But the most pleasing aspect from my perspective was the way we fought and defended set plays, with the aerial threat they've got.

"We're harder to beat now, that's six games unbeaten, confidence is improving and belief is growing. We probably created the best chances but didn't take them. We're now moving into a tough period when we know we'll have to be even better."

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew: "Physically and mentally, it was a tough game - you have to take your hat off to Bournemouth as they're relentless. I had to bring on Yohan Cabaye [at half-time] to get some of the ball, and in the last six minutes I think it showed, as Bournemouth couldn't raise a leg by then. But I'm full of admiration for what they [Bournemouth] did. We'll take the point, it moves us up a place, the unbeaten run goes on, we go to the next game."

The stats you need to know

Bournemouth have lost only one of their last nine Boxing Day matches (won five, drew three, lost one), a run that has seen them play in all four tiers of English football.
The Cherries ended a run of 29 league games without a goalless draw, since their game against Blackburn in February.
Palace are unbeaten in five Premier League games, their best run since April 2014.
After drawing none of their first 14 Premier League away games under Alan Pardew, the Eagles have drawn two of their last three.

What's next?

Bournemouth visit Arsenal on Monday, while Palace face Swansea.

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (6)

AFC Bournemouth

01 Boruc
15 Smith
02 Francis
03 Cook
11 Daniels
06 Surman
30 Ritchie
04 Gosling (Kermorgant - 92' )
08 Arter Booked (O'Kane - 45' )
19 Stanislas
27 Murray (Rantie - 71' )

Substitutes

07 Pugh
09 Rantie
16 MacDonald
18 Kermorgant
23 Federici
25 Distin
32 O'Kane

Crystal Palace

13 Hennessey
02 Ward
06 Dann
27 Delaney
23 Souaré
28 Ledley (Jedinak - 74' )
18 McArthur
11 Zaha
22 Mutch (Cabaye - 45' )
42 Puncheon
09 Campbell (Chamakh - 68' )

Substitutes

04 Hangeland
07 Cabaye
12 McCarthy
15 Jedinak
29 Chamakh
34 Kelly
48 Dymond

Ref: Michael Oliver

Att: 11,218

Match Stats

Possession 55 45

Shots

10 8

On target

4 0

Corners

8 9

Fouls

10 13

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Bournemouth 0, Crystal Palace 0.

90:00 +3:40 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Bournemouth 0, Crystal Palace 0.

90:00 +3:02

Foul by Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth).

90:00 +3:02

Pape Souaré (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90:00 +1:46

Eunan O'Kane (Bournemouth) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90:00 +1:46

Foul by Pape Souaré (Crystal Palace).

90:00 +1:15 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Bournemouth. Yann Kermorgant replaces Dan Gosling.

90:00 +0:27

Foul by Simon Francis (Bournemouth).

90:00 +0:27

Marouane Chamakh (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.