In this season of such a
compacted bottom half and most congested relegation battle in years, Palace did
themselves a massive favour by winning another six pointer against a relegation
rival. Palace’s last two home games gathered maximum points as Jason Puncheon
netted the winner in both games against Stoke City and Hull City. After the
game against Hull City, Palace travelled for the first time in their history to
the Emirates to play Arsenal. Despite a fruitless 2 – 0 loss Palace played
well, the fans certainly enjoyed themselves, and in many ways the game showed
how far the club has come in four years under CPFC 2010’s stewardship.
The day before our road trip
to the Emirates the January Transfer Window closed for the 2014 season. It was
a good final day for Crystal Palace as Steve Parish, Tony Pulis and director of
football Ian Moody worked together to seal deals for goalkeeper Wayne
Hennessey, defender Scott Dann, and midfielders Tom Ince and Joe Ledley. Jason
Puncheon also made his loan move from Southampton permanent.
After a hectic deadline day
of activity, Joe Ledley played at left back instead of Jonathan Parr. Scott
Dann came into the defence for Danny Gabbidon. Thomas Ince came into the hole
behind the frontman replacing Cameron Jerome. All four deadline signings
including Puncheon came into the team to make home debuts against West Bromwich
Albion at Selhurst Park. Palace started well and quickly against the Albion,
Pulis’s new boys’ settling in seamlessly to a team that looked to carry on good
recent home form in another crucial match at the bottom of the league. It did
not take long for Palace to make there superiority in the first half count.
Chemakh combined with Yannick Bolasie and his pace took him away from the West
Bromwich Albion defender allowing him to play a through ball past the centre of
defence for Tom Ince to latch onto and dink the ball past Foster and into the
net at the far post to score and become an instant terrace hero.
Palace’s quick start took the
Albion by surprise. Puncheon and Bolasie showed great understanding with the skilful
and hardworking Ince, whilst Scott Dann looked to be developing a solid
partnership with Damian Delaney at the centre of defence. Indeed twelve minutes
after going ahead Palace’s quick start blitzed WBA again. No Albion defender
tracked Joe Ledley’s run from a Tom Ince corner and his bullet header made it 2
– 0 as another debutant opened his goal scoring account as Palace took a vice
like grip on proceedings.
In the second half West Brom
came out like a train and caught Palace cold as substitutes Scott Sinclair and
Thievy (Bifaima Koulossa) combined thirty six seconds after the restart for
Thievy to become the third debutant to find the net in the game for their
respective teams. In the second half West Bromwich was more competitive but
Palace remained in front and were in control of proceedings. Sinclair tested
Speroni and Craig Dawson shot over but Speroni was fantastic producing heroics
to deny James Morrison and Scott Sinclair again this time from close range.
Palace remained comfortable playing
on the break and Billy Jones cleared a flick header from Damian Delaney off the
line following a Tom Ince corner. The Eagles capped a good day when Maroanne
Chemakh broke from the halfway line only to be fouled by Ben Foster in the
penalty area. Chemakh converted the penalty himself to restore a two goal
cushion. Despite late chances for Berahino and Anichibe Palace went on to
secure a crucial victory by 3 – 1 in this six pointer against another side
mired in the bottom half of the table.
The biggest cheer of the day
from the Palace faithful was however reserved for the return to action of
thirty goal Championship striker Glenn Murray who had been out for eight months
with cruciate damage picked up in the Playoff against Brighton. This return of
such an Eagles talisman combined with the other new additions that add to
Palace’s goal threat in the run in should well be enough to keep Palace up in
what is turning out to be the closest relegation battle in Premier League
history. Murray has returned to the squad and will be available for selection
away to Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday evening.
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