Crystal Palace 1 – 0 Southampton

A goal from Yohan Cabaye tapping away his fifth goal of the season from a Yannick Bolasie cross took palace to sixth in the table, Level on points with Tottenham Hotspurs. Palace dominated the game and Wilfried Zaha returned from suspension to add to Palace’s attacking strength causing a poor Southampton problems who suffered their fourth defeat in six matches.

Palace’s good form continued as Palace are now three matches unbeaten with Wickham, Bolasie and Zaha looking fantastic. Indeed Pardew got the tactics spot on as Palace continued their good run of form. On a cold afternoon at Selhurst a tactically astute performance meant Palace’s rise up the table was assured.

Next week Palace have a tough assignment playing Stoke at the Brittannia Stadium where Alan Pardew will pit his wits against Mark Hughes

Everton 1 – 1 Crystal Palace

A hard fought draw on Monday night saw Everton and Palace draw 1 – 1. In the first half Palace were under pressure as Lukaku hit the post and Deulofeu hit the Crossbar. Palace went close when Conner Wickam drew a save out of Tim Howard. Palace were set up defensively in order to frustrate Everton, while Palace aimed to push forward on the counter attack. Yannick Bolasie broke down the left to again force a marvellous save from Howard which meant Bolasie was again denied on the break.

On 75 minutes Palace took the lead when Scott Dann headed home from a corner. Five minutes later Romelu Lukaku scored an equaliser to ensure Everton secured a point. This was Lukaku’s fiftieth goal in one hundred matches for Everton and ensured the spoils were shared. Palace moved to the top six as most of the action happened in the last quarter of the game.

Palace have drawn Southampton in the 3^rd round of the FA Cup and play Southampton again also at Selhurst Park next Saturday. With Palace moving closer to the European places exciting times lay ahead off a good return from a satisfactory evening. 

Crystal Palace 5 – 1 Newcastle United

A five star performance from Crystal Palace saw the Eagles slam five goals past a hapless Newcastle United. Newcastle took the lead via Papiss Cisse. Palace equalised via McCarthur and goals from Bolasie, Zaha, Bolasie, and McCarthur again completed the rout. The result was made all the more special given it took Palace back up the league to sixth place.

A loud crowd saw Palace manage to climb the league employing counter attacking football through speedy wing play. The result was made all the more sweeter for Pardew given he managed the Magpies from 2010 – 2015. The chaotic position of Newcastle United is summed up by manager Steve Maclaren’s assertion the Magpies are in a relegation fight. As for Pardew things could not be rosier securing his 100^th win as a premier League manager, winning 53 points since arriving at Crystal Palace compared to just twenty three points at Newcastle United in the same period.

 Palace are playing an attractive brand of football and given the financial rewards then the hard days of 2000 and 2010.  Indeed the eagles are in their best position table wise since the heady old days of 1989 – 1994 under Steve Coppell. Good performances on the field and good finances off it mean they are mean they are an attractive proposition for foreign investment hence interest US sports Franchise holder Josh Harris.

Palace now travel confidently to Everton next Monday with flair side Southampton under Dutchman Ronald Koeman the following Saturday.

   

Crystal Palace 0 – 1 Sunderland

A goal from Jermain Defoe, his sixth in eight matches against Palace earned victory for a doggered workman like Sunderland side with a dull steel under Sam Allardyce. The goal came from a mistake from palace centre back Scott Dann with ten minutes remaining allowing Sunderland to defeat Palace by a goal to nil. The result leaves Palace in tenth place in the League while Sunderland remain in the bottom three.

Few people would have expected such a turgid game with Palace coming into it off the back of a quality performance against Liverpool but would have been disappointed given the run of form that had taken them to sixth in the league despite an average start to the campaign. Sunderland under new manager Sam Allardyce have benefited from his direct approach tactically based on sports science that served him so well at Bolton, Blackburn and West Ham.

Not many people would have taken the challenge of Sunderland especially in their current predicament but with Jermaine Defoe and Fletcher upfront and the bravery of Watmore and Lens gave Sunderland the edge in a tight and turgid affair.

Palace boss Alan Pardew although he must feel disappointed by his teams’ lack of finishing prowess must understand his clubs ability to bounce back as his side face another uphill battle against Newcastle on Saturday. 

Liverpool 1 – 2 Crystal Palace

Goals from Yannick Bolasie and Scott Dann meant Palace created waves through the divisions to produce quality performances to allow Palace to prosper with some truly quality football to allow the eagles to sore to the dizzy heights of eighth their highest placing since 1991 when Pardew himself ruled the roost in the Palace defence.

Many eagles fans travelled on mass to Anfield and the din was superb even if Pardew’s touchline with newly appointed Jurgen Klopp lending itself very nicely to festive Pantomime. Liverpool seemed to have benefited from Klopps dose of German realism combined with enthusiasm to be a similar effect as Joachim Lowe on Germany or Jurgen Klinsmann on Tottenham or America National Team. 

So Palace go into the international break with the likes of Bolasie Ledley Henessey Delaney and Cabaye all on duty for their perspective nations hopefully they will remain injury free and return to continue their good form in the run up to Christmas. 

Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Manchester United

A turgid game under cloud saw United register a third consecutive 0 – 0 draw with Palace putting an end to two consecutive defeats. Palace played well with Dann and Gayle going close forcing a good save from David de Gae. Antony Marceau played on the wing and gave Kelly a difficult time. Indeed Palace went close on a number of occasions.

Manchester United played a dull tacanacio style of play in the Italian tradition of play which was popular in Italy in 1990. However in modern Football the tactics do not fit in with the modern game and basically Louis Van Gaal has come under criticism for not playing expansively with many supporters criticising the tactic because they see it as dull.

Indeed Palace made a game of it yet despite the odd chance Palace did not quite create enough and Palace move on to face Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp next weekend on Sunday knowing they will face a tough battle to gain anything yet given the tough history of the fixture from 9 – 0 to 4 -3 it is likely anything can happen.

Leicester City 1 – 0 Crystal Palace

Leicester City ended Palace’s unbeaten run with a goal from Jamie Vardy on the hour as Palace put in a lacklustre performance to allow Leicester to shine which meant Palace’s recent poor performance has allowed the eagles to play in a very controlled fashion allowing the team via Bolasie and Zaha to create a labyrinth for the Palace to get through. 

A good start to the season was ended by a Leicester side that essentially meant Palace had a kind of ability to create Waves and do a lot of work aimed at supporting their rollercoaster style of play. The likes of Yohan Cabaye and Mile Jedinak caused great difficulty through pressing the Leicester defense which has led many in south London to conclude all things could be possible in South London as all things seemed normal for Palace but their good run of form has been slowed by determined performances from the foxes and West Ham has seen palace being pulled back from a good start.

Indeed the Eagles now in their third year in the Premier League have created some history first under Pulis then under Pardew has meant Palace still have a long way to go if they want to revive highs of previous seasons.

Crystal Palace 1 – 3 West Ham United

And so it happened Palace was defeated 1 – 3 at West Ham United in a match that saw Dwight Gayle see red in a game where Palace were outclassed by Cabaye from the penalty spot on twenty five minutes and

Palace try and immediately bounce back from disappointment of defeat. goals by Jenkinson on 22 minutes, Lanzini on eighty eight minutes and Dimitry Payet on 90 +4 produced a convincing result for the hammers and moved them up to third in the league. Gayle who saw red for two cautions got on the wrong side of Clattenberg first for a foul on Payet then for a nudge on goalkeeper Adrian.

Despite only managing four shots in the entire game West Ham scored three times. Palace had their opportunities and Cabaye levelled from the spot. Yet in the second half Palace were broken down as first Lanzini then Payat took advantage of Palace being a man light.

Pardew refused to attribute blame for the red card yet there can be no doubt with strikers like Wickam, Bamford and Sako in the wings Gayle may pay with his selection. Indeed West Ham now up to third have enjoyed a massive cash boost ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium. A controlled performance by the Hammers meant West Ham put in a tip top performance with the likes of Bolasie and Zaha being well marshalled by the West Ham defence.

Next on the agenda for Palace a tricky away day at on form Leicester city a stern test as Palace try to bounce back immediately from this disappointing defeat.

Crystal Palace 1 – 0 Watford

A goal from Yohan Cabaye from the penalty spot on seventy four minutes meant Palace won 1 – 0 causing great enjoyment and hilarity among palace fans on seventy four minutes meant Palace won

1 – 0 who created some chances caused by the two paces on the wings by Wilfried Zaha and 

Yannick Bolasie Papa Soure and Martin Kelly played magnificently on the wing back positions and Yohan Cabaye and Jason puncheon played very well in the midfield creating chances for palace to play well meaning vicarage road rocked to the sound of a palace victory 

Pardew’s tactics were spot on creating a wonderful sense of attacking excellence creating chances for palace to play well meaning vicarage road rocked to the sound of a palace victory pardew's tactics were spot on creating a wonderful sense of attacking excellence that meant the tactics were marvellous and the atmosphere was pumping to the brilliance of Pardew’s decision making allowing Palace to continue their impressive start to the season. 

Indeed Palace’s tactics were spot on allowing the team to advance further up the league producing some of the best football seen in a generation allowing Palace to create wonderful soccer memories and a great sense of enjoyment they flew up the league to fourth place creating a great sense of pride for Palace especially Wilfried Zaha who’s return from Manchester United has been magnificent given the difficulty he faced at the beginning of his ill-fated time at Manchester United which Led Palace to appreciate of having such a dynamic young striker at their Disposal.

The next team to face palace is West Bromwich Albion who are important as Tony Pulis returns to lead Palace back from the brink 

Tottenham 1 – 0 Crystal Palace: Son Shines for Spurs!

So Palace faced up to reality on Sunday as Tottenham Hotspurs controlled large swathes of the game against Palace as the eagles lacked a fulcrum upfront with Bolasie taking the role on in the absence of a recognised striker since Glenn Murrays sale and Conner Wickhams injury.

Tottenham’s goal came from Korean Son Hueng Min who has now scored four goals for Tottenham in 5 games Palace played very well and Cabaye hit the post twice. Indeed Palace’s performance was mediocre and lacklustre going forward as spurs made sure of the victory via collective attacking and Palace looked off the pace despite Pardew bringing on Frazier Campbell to give more bite to the Palace attack. 

Yet Tottenham controlled large parts of the game with Eric Lamela and substitution Erikson who came on for Chadli were very effective for spurs. A reality check for Crystal Palace due to a poor performance and the punters expecting Palace to make Europe definitely need a reality check as it is a long way off given the experience of other Premier league teams.

So we move on to a London Derby against Charlton which should be spicy. Then Palace travel to Vicarage road to play Watford.

Crystal Palace 0 – 1 Manchester City: City Tame Eagles in Tight Thriller!

An injury time winner from Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho broke Palace hearts in the 90^th minute. A hot day created an intensely competitive and quite even match.  In the first half Palace attacked Manchester City with Zaha and Bolasie energetic on the wings, with Bakary Sako going close. Jesus Navas went close, taking the ball around Alex McCarthy before shooting into the side netting.

The match was a game of chess which City eventually won in a very painful fashion for Palace. Yet Palace went close first through Yannick Bolasie then via a McArthur header. Later on Dwight Gayle connected with a cross to beat Joe Hart but sent it narrowly wide. From the resulting goal kick  City went down the field and found the net via Nigerian Teenager Kelechi Ihenacho who made it 0 – 1 right at the end of the game. Sergio Aguero went off injured following a heavy tackle from James McArthur but the game was refereed in a fair fashion and passed off without incident.

Next up for Crystal Palace two London Derbies against Tottenham Hotspurs at White Hart Lane, then back to Selhurst to face Charlton Athletic under the lights in the third round of the League Cup.  

Crystal Palace 2 – 1 Aston Villa: Eagles Swoop on Villains.

A debut goal from Bakary Sako three minutes from the end set Palace up for a 2 – 1 home victory their first of the season. An energy sapping first half was slow paced due to a very hot day. Sako started in place of Bolasie who was missing for personal reasons. Pardew started with Zaha and Bolasie who was missing for personal reasons. 

Pardew started with Zaha and Murray up front whilst Aston Villa debutante Traore came on in the sixty ninth minute and helped villa get back in the game. Scott Dann put Palace ahead from a Puncheon corner on seventy one minutes. An earlier goal from substitute Dwight Gayle was disallowed when it hit James Macarthur who was in an offside position. Traore drove into the palace box to set up a cross which was deflected in by papa Cisse to draw the sides’ level.

Then came the debutantes moment as Bakary Sako picked up a pass from Scott Dann after Amavi gave the ball away on the edge of the box to allow Sako to drill home from the edge of the box to set up a 2 – 1 victory three minutes from time. Palace now play Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night in the second round of the English League Cup.

Crystal Palace 1 – 2 Arsenal: Gunners Shoot down Eagles

Goals from Olivier Giroud and a Damian Delaney own goal fell either side of a crisp Joel Ward equaliser which meant Arsenal left Selhurst Park with a crucial first away win of the season.

The game was an even affair and palace was unlucky not to get a point from the game as debutant Conner Wickham struck the post whilst pace men Bolasie and Zaha looked useful whilst Francis Coquelin was lucky to avoid being sent off for persistant fouling yet ultimately the crisp build up play of Arsenal was too much. Debutant Yohan Cabaye linked up well with Jordan Mutch linked up together to create Crystal Palace’s best chances but in the end they fell short due to a lack of understanding moving forward.

A clinical Arsenal display was characterised by a superb scissor kick volley from Olivier Giroud meant South London hearts was broken whilst an own goal by Damian Delaney gave Arsenal the win cancelling out a Joel Ward equaliser

Season 15/16: Norwich City 1 – 3 Crystal Palace

Palace started the new season with debutants Alex McCarthy and Yohan Cabaye scoring on his debut with the last kick of the game. Norwich started well with a dominant performance in the opening twenty minutes with Wilfried Zaha volleying home on thirty nine minutes. 

After halftime Palace doubled their lead through defender Damian Delaney. Norwich then pulled a goal back via ex Birmingham City’s Nathan Redmond. Norwich then thought they had equalised via ex eagle Cameron Jerome but it was disallowed controversially for high foot. Palace sealed the game in injury time off a James McArthur slide rule pass with the last kick of the game to set up a 1 – 3 victory.

Palace started the campaign with a pleasing away victory yet newly promoted Norwich have much to be pleased about as under Alex Neil as a newly promoted team  they enjoyed good first half possession and was unlikely not to convert some early chances, conceding goals at crucial times either side of half time.

Fortunately Palace enjoyed a good start to the campaign in Norfolk and can be pleased to get their season off the mark with a win and with Bamford, Wickham and Gayle kept in reserve, Pardew can be pleased with Puncheons and Murray’s performance. Newly promoted Norwich can be happy with their performance and chances for Redmond and Jerome offers hope for the remainder of the campaign.

Palace continue the season at Selhurst next Saturday with a home game against Arsenal. 

Dagenham & Redbridge 1 – 0 Crystal Palace

A new look Crystal Palace side took to the field at Dagenham only to lose by a goal to nil to a competent and efficient Dagenham side. Dagenham deserved their victory but Palace looked out of sorts as new strikers Conner Wickham and Patrick Bamford looked to strike up an understanding. Indeed Dagenham took the lead when a shot back across his goal from Chambers only for Mc Clean to slot home and give the daggers the lead.

Palace went close when Chung Yong Lee went incredibly close for the eagles only for McClean to slot home and give the daggers the lead. Only to be denied by a great save from the Daggers keeper Cousins who also saved well from Bamford and Wickham. Palace looked good but Dagenham was solid.

 Quintessentially Dagenham Challenged palace for supremacy but Alex McCarthy a new Acquisition from QPR was on reasonably hot form to keep Dagenham at bay til they scored midway through the second half. Palace had the pace of Sully KaiKai on the wing and looked fundamentally like a cracking winger and an able deputy to the injured Yannick Bolasie. Indeed for a league two club 

Dagenham was excellent but both Zavon Hines and Frasier Campbell were taken off injured. Jodi Jones hit the Crossbar for Dagenham whilst Jamie Cureton shot narrowly wide, in a game Dagenham and Redbridge won 1 – 0 .

On Saturday Dagenham kick off the season at Leyton Orient in a London Derby, Whilst Palace Kick off away to Norwich City 

Preseason 2015/16: Palace 1 – 1 Fulham

Palace and Fulham  fought out a 1 – 1 draw, Fulham took the lead on eight minutes with a goal from Ben Pringle with an equaliser from Papa Soure’s first goal for the club on forty eight minutes which meant a turgid game on a hot day was lined by a slow pace. Indeed both teams enjoyed a high level of possession with Glenn Murray shanking an early chance over the crossbar, yet the reality was Fulham were on top in the first half with Palace coming back into it in the second half with debutant Cabaye looking good with Zaha and Ledley coming on in the second half. 

Other new signings Patrick Bamford was rested after scoring a hat-trick against Bromley on Tuesday night, whielst new signing Conner Wickham signing too late for selection.

Considering Fulham are a Championship Club, Fulham put up an excellent showing and was worthy of the draw. In what was a slow paced game directly affected by the hot weather. Palace conclude their preseason programme for 2015/16 with a game at Dagenham and Redbridge on Monday evening. The following Saturday the 2015/16 season kicks off in earnest in Norfolk vs Norwich city, even if match tickets for the disabled at 45 pounds is ridiculous.

Season Review 2014/15

So the season 2014/15 has come to an end and Crystal Palace five years on from near extinction find themselves finishing tenth in the league, with new manager Alan Pardew winning ten of his first fifteen matches in charge. For the second season in succession Palace bettered their points total recording their highest points tally in their Premier League history.

What was the highlight of the season? Possibly beating Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool as Palace improved their performances from last season against the top five clubs improving their performances against Chelsea last season.

So in review of a good campaign what other highlights are there? Without doubt the understated top form of defenders Scott Dann, Breta Hangeland and Joel Ward along with the undoubted consistency of long serving keeper Julian Speroni in his testimonial season against Dundee United. Other highlights include the continued good form of wingers Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha both of whom continue to improve the good form of wingers Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha both of whom continue to improve coming into the campaign with questions over their form Zaha because of his failed move to Manchester United and Bolasie as he continues to improve since his move from Bristol City. An undoubted highlight of the season was Bolasie’s hat-trick in the 1 – 4 demolition of Sunderland at the Stadium of light.

Another highlight of the campaign is that the team continues with a team largely built in the Championship with the likes of Speroni, Ward, Delaney, Jedinak and Murray stepping up to the plate and evolving from a Championship to Premier League squad. The fact that Dann, Hangeland , Kelly Mutch and Ledley have also added to the depth of the squad can only be a good thing. The team are enjoying arguably their best run of form since the heady days of Steve Coppell in the early 1990’s.

So what next for season 15/16  Palace like a good beer or cider have evolved slowly and next season could be dependent upon the careful signings made in the window Indeed depending on who Pardew brings in could influence how the season turns out. Yet reality says the table does not lie and what goes around comes around in a cyclical style, so if Palace invest astutely in the whole team then eventually next season if investment is shrewd than Palace can advance and eventually and hopefully the squad will be solid enough to amalgamate new recruits and advance upon the league like a solid military unit.

Competitive football in 2015 is very much like a business with expensive marque signings often bearing the brunt of whether a team succeeds or fails. Indeed it is shown with top heavy clubs like Aston Villa or Newcastle that success does not always follow investment in Newcastle case in point.

So finally what next for Crystal Palace. After finishing 10^th this season and improving their global profile much excitement remains at the prospect of stadium redevelopment and fresh investment under the day to day stewardship of Alan Pardew, Keith Millen Phil Alexander and Hari Jani. The future for the immediate term 2015/16 season looks very fulfilling and exciting

Eagles See Off Swansea in End of Season Swansong!

Palace saw off Swansea by a goal to nil to end the season in tenth position and this meant that Pardew had achieved a second top ten finish in two years, a fantastic achievement.  The game was a tough test and palace put up a good performance although due to illness I left at half time. In the first half 

Palace was dominant and in the second half the match was won by a Maroanne Chemakh goal. The goal arrived when Scott Dann headed a free kick into Chemakh’s path and this meant all was well that ended well for the Palace Centre forward. Next season Palace will re-enter the campaign with renewed vigour as long as they keep feet firmly on the ground. The Eagles faithful as they realise anything could be possible.

Yet the problem remains how much leeway you give to summer signings as they will be joined in the top flight by Bournemouth, Watford, and Norwich. This was Palace’s first victory over Gary Monk’s Swansea since 2008 when Shefki Kuqi scored at the Liberty 1 – 3 victory under Neil Warnock.

This has been  a good season for Palace spurred on as they have been by the miders touch of Alan Pardew and it has been another successful season as Palace secure a third season in the Premier League for the first time  

Liverpool Lackadaisical As Gerrard Swansong Hijacked By Palace!

Crystal Palace came away from Anfield with a 3 – 1 victory to spoil Stephen Gerrard’s final day at Anfield. Liverpool took the lead through Adam Lallana but Palace equalised via a free kick by Jason Puncheon on forty three minutes two minutes before half time.

This Liverpool side is not the best and this was illustrated in the second half when goals from Wilfried Zaha and a ninetieth minute winner from Glenn Murray to make the final score 1 – 3. Palace controlled the play and substitute keeper Wayne Hennessey remained largely unchallenged as Liverpool was side tracked by the emotions of the day as gerrard said goodbye to Anfield in his final home game for the club.

On the flipside though Palace was excellent taking charge of the occasion and carrying Pardew’s management instructions to the letter to put four successive defeats ending a poor run of form that had lasted over a month. Liverpool was in charge most of the second half yet the timing of the equaliser just before half time meant the wind was taken out of Liverpool’s sails and they could not recapture their form in the second half. Indeed Palace pushed on causing confusion and muddlement in the Liverpool defence and this allowed both Zaha and Murray to come to the fore and punish Liverpool for lacklustre defending.

In the second half Palace overpowered Liverpool, Proper hold up play by Glenn Murray gave time and space to bully Liverpool in the final third, this in turn opened up Liverpool in the final third, allowing Zaha and Murray to score enabling Palace to secure a 1 – 3 win.

At full time emotions spilled out from the Kop onto the Anfield pitch, You Will Never Walk Alone, Justice for the 96, and Anfield Road rang around the ground Stephen Gerrard was given a guard of honour before the game and afterwards gave an emotional farewell speech alongside his family to the Kop.

Next weekend sees the end of the season and Palace finish off at home to Swansea City and this gives Palace the opportunity to end the season on a high having already secured 11^th place in the league.

Van Gals Red Devils Flattered by Eagles Defensive Naivety

Goals from Maroanne Fallaine and a penalty from Juan Mata saw United defeat Palace 1 – 2 Palace’s goal was a free kick from Jason Puncheon at the start of the second half. However a defensive mix up and mistake on 78 minutes which saw Jedinak Delaney and puncheon collide leaving Belgium Maroanne Fellaine free to head in at the backpost.

 Despite this early in the second half United was indebted to fantastic saves from David de Gaea from Glenn Murray and James McCarthur respectively Prevented Palace from equalising yet Louis van Gaal credited Palace’s attacking spirit saying the Eagles were a very difficult opponent to get passed.

However problems for Palace meant the eagles suffered another home loss in accordance with a poor run of form that stretches back over many months Yet Pulis’s impact of getting Palace over the bridge to two successive premier league seasons alongside Pardew’s impact to secure a third successive premier league season for the first time in their history gives Palace the option like Stoke and WBA before them to become an established Premier League Team. 

Defeat to United by a single goal is no disaster given what a good season they enjoyed since Pardew returned. Indeed Palace’s trip to Liverpool on Saturday which will mark an end to Stephen Gerrard’s period at Liverpool. 

Champions Chelsea topple Palace Efforts

A rebound from a penalty by Eden Hazard was enough for Chelsea to see of Palace 1 – 0 at Stamford Bridge becoming Champions at the same time. Palace very much played the role of bridesmaids as Speroni struggled with his handling but it took Chelsea most of the first half to find a breakthrough. 

Champions Chelsea were ready to party and although Palace tried their best to stop them via the combination play of Zaha and Bolasie and strike play of Glenn Murray yet to no avail as Chelsea stunted the life out of the Palace attack in anticipation of a championship party at full time.

Indeed Stamford Bridge erupted in celebration at full time as Chelsea were confirmed champions for the 2014/15 season.

Chelsea was clinical and Palace showed an enigmatic endeavour even if Palace seemed lost in the final third. However as good as Chelsea were and they were good, the Eagles support brought the atmosphere and that meant two things, one the noise was brought to the stadium throughout and two without being particularly ruthless the Palace squad kept plodding away throughout the ninety minutes. Although Chelsea was on top Palace had chances in the second half that could have led to an equaliser.

 Chelsea remained solid though and come the final whistle they were deserved champions of the Barclays Premier League against relegation threatened Sunderland..

Palace’s last three games of the season take place against Manchester United, Liverpool and Swansea and Pardew would hope to return to winning ways in at least one of his last three matches.

Eagles Suffer Mauling at hands of Tigers

A Goal scoring double from N’Daye meant Palace suffered their second consecutive 0 – 2 reverse as Hull edged closer to survival. Pardew voiced his disappointment at the referee’s decision making time wasting as Palace’s marque fixtures against Chelsea Manchester United and Liverpool brought into all the more focus.

Fortunately Palace have secured enough points for survival as Pardew remains frustrated by recent performances. The first goal came when a Brady inspired shot was deflected to N’Daye to score. Julian Speroni played very well but after the Korean Lee Chung – Yong making his debut gave the ball away to allow Dame N’Daye to score by slotting home from thirty yards. Glenn Murray had Palace’s best chances but he was foiled by Hulls forty year old keeper Steve Harper.

Indeed Palace were unlucky but they knew effort and perseverance would aid their performance because joking aside they are a great football team but Hull to deserve merit because even small guys can come out on top because sometimes things happen for a reason.

Eagles caught cold by Baggies

West Bromwich Albion defeated Palace 0 – 2 as the syndrome of the old boss returned to haunt Palace via two quick fire goals early in the match. A goal from Morrison on 2 minutes put the Albion in control While Gardner secured a 53rd minute winner by a marvellous spin and flick on the half turn to ensure Palace continued a marvellous run of form just where possibilities seemed endless. Indeed just when the going had got interesting chances had been thin on the ground for a team that through shear determination had seemed to have run out of luck just when the going had got interesting. Chances had been thin on the ground for a team that with the wing play of Bolasie and

Zaha meant all had been well with four consecutive victories including a 2 – 1 victory over champions Manchester City and the 4 – 1 that saw a Yannick Bolasie hat-trick smash four past a team that were basically pathetic but knew their limitations under Dick Advocat.
Yet the Match against WBA saw Palace fail to reach the heights of the previous 4 matches allowing West Brom to capitalise on inside knowledge garnered by Tony Pulis’s nine months securing Palace’s first ever bridge into a second season in the Premier League.
Fortune favours the brave and Palace dominated the game on Saturday but a wonder strike by James Morrison their luck was well and truly out. Indeed Dwight Gayle smashed the crossbar and Bolasie drew a fantastic save from Ben Foster Which meant Selhurst’s Raucous atmosphere was silenced.

Palace’s next fixture sees them take on Hull at Selhurst in a fixture that Palace have won on the last two occasions it has been played on the last two meetings. So if Palace need a helping hand to put one over old boss Steve Bruce now seems a great time to play them as for the first time since promotion with Palace in 2013 Hull are facing a real dogfight to survive.

Eagles Stun City to Get Vital Three Points

Goals from Glenn Murray and Jason Puncheon meant Palace again defied the odds to make it a Selhurst Night to remember as Palace stunned the current champions of England.

It was a great night as Zaha continued to rediscover his form again under Pardew. Despite dominating Possession city played under Parr allowing Palace to control the match. Murray's fifth goal in five games  gave great belief to the whole team. Indeed when puncheon slammed home a free kick the atmosphere was pumping and Manchester City was unable to respond. A goal from Yaya Toure meant City was back in the game to make it a nervous last twelve minutes but City held on. James MacArthur denied Fernandinho  with a goal line clearance City felt they should have had a penalty when the ball struck Murray's hand but their appeals were waved away.

Putting this result in perspective shows how far Palace have come under the ownership of CPFC 2010, yet there is still much work to do if Palace want to calm the doubters and secure a regular top ten finish..

Palace Vs Stoke: Eagles beat Stoke in Potteries Ding Dong

Goals from Wilfried Zaha and Glenn Murray following a finish from Diouf Meant that Palace look to have secured their place in the top flight having deserved their survival enjoying Premier League football for another campaign.

Indeed the Eagles look to have secured a top twelve finish to enable the Palace to secure Premier League safety for another year. Not a bad achievement considering Palace are perennial losers in the battle for top flight survival having only secured top flight survival once before in six previous attempts, so to achieve survival for three seasons in a row is quite an achievement.

I love football more than anything else but as I age and my interests broaden I am considering a sabbatical to Europe like the great writers of old to explore culture and write/record a travel blog. I will look to purchase a half season ticket for the second half of the 15/16 campaign. Yet as I consider costings in football and the inflated price of tickets for the regular fan it is nice to see, given my kiwi roots New Zealand doing so well as to get to a World Cup Final with a small population of four million people.

After victory against Stoke City we face a home match against glamorous money bags Manchester City on a Monday night under the lights at Selhurst Park in front of a live TV audience. Wing play from the likes of Zaha and Bolasie has brought entertainment a plenty to Selhurst Park and great success in a relatively short period of time.

Quite an achievement given our proud South London roots under the stewardship of Super Alan Pardew!  

Palace Leave Hoops in Mire!

Goals from a reinvigorated Wilf Zaha, McCarther, and a first ever Palace goal from defender Joel Ward almost secures the Eagles safety, while leaving the hoops in distinct danger of the drop. Palace had to be on form as QPR are a much tougher outfit in the post Warnock/ Redknapp era. New Boss Chris Ramsey has a difficult job steering the Rangers away from the relegation zone. Palace took the lead when Zaha scored his eighth Premier League goal in nine games, to ensure the opportunity of moving Crystal Palace clear into mid table and closer to safety then they have ever been before. Matt Phillips did score a consolation goal for the hoops that Alan Pardew described as the best goal ever scored at Selhurst Park as he wacked it in from thirty yards.

It was a mere consolation for QPR as Ramsey tries desperately to avoid the drop since they came up through the playoffs last season. A stark contrast to when they were the top London club in the Premier League in 1995. A marker to how far they have dropped under poor ownership of Briatore and Fernandez. Zaha’s ability as a footballer cannot be questioned, it is the fact he could not look after his affairs in Manchester very well due to his age, naivety, and lack of proper support from a mentor. As Ferguson’s last signing he buckled under the weight of expectation and let the bright lights of Manchester alongside big money buckle his focus. Yet now he is back in London he is on familiar ground and can be a very important cog in Palace’s Premier League future.

His efforts at Palace alongside those of Jonny Williams have often gone under the radar yet from his first goal against Leicester as a Warnock fledgling to his last of spell one on the 22^nd December 2012 he will understand his value as one of the best strikers Palace will ever receive because he made South London truly loud and Proud.

The next game for Palace sees them take on Stoke City which will be a difficult encounter because they are well drilled under Mark Hughes and their supporters always make Stoke a raucous place to visit. It should be fun though as a well-balanced side under Pardew goes into the last ten matches of the campaign looking for the points to secure survival.  

FA Cup Reflections!

So… as I watch the quarter final between Reading and Bradford City my thoughts turn to happy days a long time ago when I went to Bradford City back in 2004 when Bradford was in heavy financial difficulties and the top tier of their mega store was closed due to financial difficulties. It shows how far they have come in a short period of time to recover, get to a league cup final and then make a deserved run to an FA Cup Quarter Final and somehow continue their good form in the Cup. They really do deserve a hell of a lot of credit.

Reading too deserve much credit and respect for their achievements under Steve Clarke they deserve respect from learning from past mistakes under Russian Ownership to turn it around super quick  and recreate there success when they arrived in the premier league in the early 21^st century.

Make no mistakes I am an intense follower of Crystal Palace. But I also respect Reading FC massively. This is because they gave me hope to complete hope to complete a good education at a great school where I had excellent support from role models like my teacher Karen and friends like David and Andrew. Indeed another friend Stuart happened to work at reading fc and showed me a tour of the stadium and encouraged me massively to write my football blog since 2011. We have also worked positively on a radio blog called definitely certainly where he could practice his improvisation techniques of famous football celebrities such as his idle Brian Clough, Mick McCarthy, Martin Jol and Steve McClaren.

Sir John Madejski deserves massive credit and respect for the way he has regenerated East Reading and the Whitley Wood area that also needed a lot of work but with both the Stadium and hotel complex the infrastructure has certainly generated a hell of a lot of income for the football club. Indeed this result was clearly illustrated by the clubs rise to the Premier League under Steve Coppell. Currently they are returning to form under Steve Clarke a point made all the more clearer by an understated cup run to a quarter final replay against the a for mentioned Bradford City next week. The Mad Stad will be rocking.

Links between Palace and reading are close. In the history books Reading enjoyed their biggest ever win against Palace a 10 – 2 thrashing in the 1920’s. Yet in more modern times meetings have been a lot closer and I especially enjoyed Palace’s 6 – 1 humbling of the Royals in 1996 when I was able to rib my school mates following consecutive 6 – 1 victories with 12 different scorers against Reading and Southend in 1996. Both clubs are linked by the likes of Coppell, Solako, Mullins Leigertwood and Macanuff. Both are clear community clubs committed to youth development. In the days now when money controls football it is important not to forget the game is a microcosm of society and reflective of its problems not responsible for them. 

When one recalls Shankley from the Liverpool boot room stating football is not a matter of life or death, just more important than that it is easy to forget the darker shadows that cast the dark side of football like racism, bigotry and homophobia. I suppose it is easy to pontificate about Shankley’s premonition especially when you consider the dark days that especially dogged Liverpool in the 1970’s and 1980’s but for me having worked closely with the national football museum in the last 15 years on oral history projects I think his words sum up the dogged determination of all football fans but especially the working man to stand up for the belief in the game is passion spirit and escapism from the undoubted problems and wrong doings of everyday life.

Saints Keep Marching on

Southampton played a blinder on Tuesday night making sure of a good victory that was well deserved because they played very well for a change and life continues as normal for their top men like Saido Mane which was their first goal in six hours and twenty seven minutes as Pardew won his first five away matches but just could not cope with Southampton’s strongest attack because they knew the ability to keep going would help in the end because the striker from Senegal beat his man perfectly to set up a chip over Speroni to help the Saints after James Ward Prowse had his shot palmed back into play by Speroni.

Before this Palace had the majority of the play through the wonders of Wilfried Zaha speedy heroics meant that Palace were doing the best they could under extremely difficult circumstances. This happened almost by accident as the attack was quick, speedy wingers like Zaha and Bolasie tried very hard because they knew pace mattered and they could utilise the spare man in attack to pressurise Southampton’s defence. Indeed it was a close call but fortunately the team played well and did not deserve to lose.

Unfortunately we did not have luck on our side like we did at West Ham or Leicester City and Pardew lost to a former employee for the first time. The saints were just too good which meant the chances of Palace getting complete satisfaction from their performance were somewhat limited.

Palace’s next performance sees the visit of QPR to Selhurst Park. This London derby involves taking on a struggling side that looks destined for relegation. However they are yet to reach full potential under their new manager which makes them tough opponents for Pardew’s XI.

Campbell’s Leveler Leaves Toon in Soup!

A Second half equaliser on a Cold Selhurst night left points shared on what was a scrappy and unremarkable evening. Both teams deserved a point, but the pace was pedestrian from the start and could have been a testimonial for Alan Pardew who has managed both clubs seamlessly.

On a positive though the cross that Campbell met from Bolasie was positively World Class as he remains an enigma frustrating as he is brilliant and often unplayable.

Despite this though I found the game a struggle due to an onset of agoraphobia and fatigue due to depression. This was not helped by some of the idiots at the front of the Holmesdale who thought it would be funny to through a coin at Collocini who was lucky not to be seriously injured. This behaviour is totally unacceptable and the perpetrator should be banned from Selhurst for life and face criminal charges! Also the fact this happens more often than it should is a bad sign especially when you consider that blind supporters are considering going to national media consumer rights programme You and Yours to sort out the fact the club don’t want to do the simple task of installing a hearing loop for blind supporters. This is discrimination!

On a brighter note to make this post balanced there is a burning sense of pride in me to think how far we have come since the dark days of 2010 and despite a few issues that need ironing out are probably one of the best run and most stable clubs in the league because of the balance of expertise brought to the club by each of the four owners. This is probably to the envy of struggling clubs like Aston Villa or indeed Newcastle United.

Sometimes though pride comes before a fall and with Palace this is certainly the case. Yet for me this is not enough as loyalty is the most important thing in football but loyalty cuts both ways and I can no longer afford the fun and bonding of away days due to the excessive ticket costs mean normal fans are being priced out of the game which is sad as wonderful, kind, and hardworking supporters of whom David and little Pete London spring to mind as he was the youngest signature on the CVA Agreement during our administration period and deserve massive respect for the distances covered yet sadly even these become a minority voice as the Premier League is swept along by its cash value worldwide as a United Kingdom export to the detriment of the common man. Fans like little Pete will become all the more rare because of the battle between the powers of capitalism and the problem of footballs money men such as Tan, Abramovich and the Venky’s continue to destroy the sole of the game.

Yet my burning love of the Palace will never die and the payoff of money is that sky have cooked their goose one too many times and that makes the availability of worldwide computer feeds of matches makes them easily accessible which offers people the choice to support from afar more achievable when the mundane drudgery of everyday life gets too much and we all need to escape to sunnier climes and we can stay in touch with the game we all love by magic which I guess is why we love it so much anyhow. So what makes us all feel better than the magic of the FA Cup Vs Liverpool to send us all spinning down memory lane once again!

Add on: Best wishes to a friend and inspiration for loving the Eagles Graham Maskill as he recovers from a heart scare! (He may be a curmudgeon but he is my and Palace’s curmudgeon and I for one am not prepared for him to go anywhere yet. As you know banter is a great leveller get well soon buddy!!!)    

Lucky 13th Place in League for Pardew as disappointing Everton Loss replaced with Joy of Narrow Victory vs Relegation Rival!

So the comparison with the days of Coppell and Noades can start in Ernest as far as I am concerned as Logistics expert Steve Parish makes move for the man that can stabilise and secure a (Mark) Bright future for the club.

As an avid observer of Palace history from the early 1990’s to this part of the twenty first century it is a clever observation as both were shrewd businessmen who in their own way took risks with personal popularity given the restrictions upon them by economic circumstances to build towards a bottom up solution creating a much better and more secure and successful period for the club. This was relative to the chaos of the enjoyable but scary and unstable periods of Simon Jordan & Mark Goldberg. To be fair to both of the latter scatty and unpopular decision making led both to find hot water of Administration periods due to bad mistakes even if this was for totally different reasons. It is undeniable Simon Jordan brought great efforts in securing the future via youth academies which brought forward players such as Bostock, Moses and Routledge to try to create a better future for a family club, yet ultimately extreme anger followed because of his unforgivable jepardisation of the clubs through the involvement of the hedge fund Agilo.

Back to the events of the present day memories of the disappointing defeat to Everton was soon to fade to be replaced by a much more positive, attractive counter attacking away performance to the Foxes of Leicester City to narrowly secure a 0 – 1 win. Debutante Jordan Mutch anchored the midfield very well, but it was the enforced introduction of defender Hangeland due to an injury to Scott Dann that changed the game.

An excellent performance in anchoring the defence alongside Martin Kelly led to Hangeland setting up a winner by nodding a corner back from the far post to set up Joe Ledley for a back post headed winner to secure a narrow victory. The importance of the result was not lost on both sides as Palace gave themselves a nine point buffer on the bottom three  as Leicester City remain routed to the foot of the table.

Wednesday night sees the exciting prospect of Pardew taking on his old club Newcastle United under lights at Selhurst Park. It may also be an opportunity for Eagles fans to see deadline day signings Keishi Anderson, Shaola Ameobi against his former club and French defender Pape Soare. It is also worth noting we can watch Wilf Zaha permanently again at Selhurst Park having resigned him for six million pounds sterling, a nine million pound profit on the original fifteen million pound transfer fee we received for him from Manchester United. 

Burchy’s palace blog 2015: Return of the Pardew

So at long last Alan Pardew has returned to Crystal Palace with hopes of resurrecting an FA Cup run and perhaps even winning the tournament well loved by the entire nation. Now back at Crystal Palace, Pardew who has managed Reading, Southampton and West Ham and along the way learnt a process of management in which fun and professionalism has ensued. Palace fans still see him as a legend due to the goal which he scored in 1990 FA Cup Semi - final. Indeed having seen Steve Parish’s consortium take over the club in 2010 I thought he would be installed then as manager yet George Burley took the role due to his experience as Ipswich Manager instead.

 Indeed having not gelled as Newcastle boss Palace’s new top man had to return home to ensure his own sanity. This was a good decision as it was borne out by the run of form that saw four victories on the trot from Dover to Tottenham, Burnley and Southampton. The situation looked to fit like a glove with many possibilities open to the new man.  Indeed with the wing pace of Zaha and Bolasie and the attacking options of Chemakh and Gayle, Murray and Campbell it looks as though Pardew’s inspired people management skills can really bring a rosy future for the Eagles.  After his experience at Newcastle under the unpopular Mike Ashley he must now feel more loved than ever under the quartet of Steve Parish, Martin Long, Stephen Browett and Jeremy Hoskins and this could be the best long term managerial appointment since Steve Coppell and Ron Noades and the heady days of the early 90s with the Wright, Bright and Solako years and indeed Alan Pardew himself.

With the draw for the FA Cup 5^th Round having now been decided, and regular league games coming up Pardew will need his calm managerial head on for this busy period of the season.

The cup tie at home to Liverpool or Bolton means memories come flooding back of the heady days of the 1990’s with the magical juxtaposition of a 9 – 0 hammering at the hands of the reds followed by the stunning superlative of the 4 – 3 FA cup semi - final win to reach Wembley. So now all we can we say is good luck to Super Al as the memories of the past fade and the future looks bright.