So it has arrived three points against Birmingham at Selhurst on Monday means Christmas day will pass with Palace in a healthy position in the League on 33 points from 22 games in 8th place with a League Cup semi Vs Cardiff to look forward to. We go into the busy festive period with matches against Southampton, Millwall, Leicester, and Derby in the cup with much to look forward to,a massive change on this time last year when we were in the bottom three on New Year’s Day after defeat at Millwall. The reason for this turnaround is in no small measure down to the impact of Dougie Freedman since he took over as manager from George Burley after returning to the club as Coach/Assistant Manager in 2009. After saving us from relegation at Hull last season, this season he has really built a platform to go on from with a fantastic blend of youth and experience, with the likes of Clyne, Scannell, and Zaha being guided by McCarthy, Wright, Gardner and Ambrose to create a team spirit capable of moving mountains.
The Birmingham match itself the last home game of 2011 ended as a 1 – 0 victory thanks to a late KG Dikgacoi header from a pin point Darren Ambrose cross. The match was quite dour and attritional and Birmingham were clearly tired after their European exertions on Thursday night. Palace conversely had clearly benefited from the ten day break since the Forest match in order to recharge their batteries from the busy November schedule. By the end the difference between the sides in what was a poor game was the slightly greater attacking energy and desire to win the game shown by Palace in the last twenty minutes. Add to this the calming influence of excellent substitute Jermaine Easter who slowed the pace of the game, calmed nerves and helped forge pressure onto the Birmingham goal, helping produce enough chances to eventually force a winner.
For large periods of the game the goalkeepers were on top and Birmingham keeper Boas Myhill made some cracking saves from Mile Jedinak whilst Birmingham’s creative midfielder Chris Burke made the blues best chances testing an on form Julian Speroni. Yet rather predictably Birmingham reverted late on to long balls back to front up to tall 6”7 striker Nicolas Zigic to set up attacks by knocking the ball down. Unfortunately for Birmingham his touch and control let him down and Gardner had his number in the box. Paddy McCarthy hit a post with his head in the second half but Palace won the game for a very satisfying end to 2011 off the back of showing great improvement from a difficult beginning to the year.
The festive period begins on Boxing Day against Southampton a personal return to my university town so it would be especially nice to see Palace get the victory. It will be the biggest test of the Championship season so far as Southampton are top of the league and are undefeated at home, but they have dropped points recently away including against south coast rivals Portsmouth in a 1 – 1 draw. If we can take our good form and tight defence to St Mary’s it will be a good game and should be a Christmas cracker! Merry Christmas.
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