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.