Rival Lines: "We haven't really missed Wan Bissaka," says The Eagles Beak

Rival Lines

Match Preview: Crystal Palace v AFCB
Blogger Interview The Eagles Beak
Twitter: @TheEaglesBeak

CC: I had a quick few hours to try and get a word wit jay at the Eagles Beak ahead of the match tonight against Crystal Palace. They are on a reasonable run away from home and will want to bring that form to Selhurst Park. While they sit ahead of the Cherries, a win against Palace could put Bournemouth back ahead of the Eagles. So what have Bournemouth to be worried about?

CC: You have played a lot of the top teams in recent weeks so are you confident of a good run of results in December?

TEB: We were handed a rough deal by the fixture computer, that's for sure but we have got through with perhaps not the points some of our play has deserved. There was a concern that the confidence would be hit but seeing the win at Burnley at the weekend, it is clear that has not been the case which is good news going into a kinder run of games. No game is easy, but December hands us fixtures that we need to be looking to take points from and we have started in the best way possible.

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CC: How do you fee about the team's home form?

TEB: Better than we have become used to when comparing with previous season's. We were unbeaten before hosting City which was pleasing, and it has been nice to see some results at home. It could be better but there has been a distinct improvement. I do find we struggle more at home as the onus is on Palace to take the game to the opposition and that often presents it's own problems. But, for the most part, we have done well this season.

CC: What is the injury situation like at the moment?

TEB: Pretty good, we only missed Joel Ward and Gary Cahill at the weekend - Ward could miss a couple of weeks while Cahill could be back on Tuesday. Connor Wickham is pushing for a place on the bench but Scott Dann left the pitch injured against Burnley, so we will have to see how he is. Good to see Mamadou Sakho back in his place at the weekend who has missed most of the season so far.

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CC: Who would you say was the most improved player for Palace this season?

TEB: Good question - a lot of fans were disappointed by the fact we failed to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka after his sale to United in the summer so we only had Joel Ward to step in. Ironically, he lost his place to AWB and the youngster never looked back, but Ward has done a great job this season and while he has a completely different style, it may sound odd but we have not really missed AWB which is testament to his performances.

CC: Whose form is dipping at the moment?

TEB: That has to be Patrick van Aanholt. He struggled last season, but while he has had one or two decent games he has not really got himself of the rut that he found himself in. He has a horrible habit of pushing a winger inside too many times rather than forcing them out wide and not getting close enough. Going forward, he really gives us something extra but defensively he really has regressed.

CC: What position needs to be strengthened in January?

TEB: Striker and we need to start planning for life without Wilfried Zaha but the latter will probably have to wait for the summer. We have actually done okay up front this season which is largely thanks to Jordan Ayew making the lone striker role his own since sigining on a permanent deal. However, we do need to give him some support. Christian Benteke has been a shadow of his former self and with not being able to rely upon Connor Wickham we could do with a third option.

CC: Would European football be great or would it come to soon if it happened in May?

TEB: Wolves have really taken it in their stride this year while Burnley struggled with the additional games. Whichever way it comes, yes, it would be fantastic to see Palace qualify for Europe. You cannot plan these things and you have to take them when they come along - a little like our promotion back to the Premier League, many fans said we were in no position to compete in the top division but we've done alright.

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CC: What's your score prediction for Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth

TEB: After the result at Burnley at the weekend I'm hoping that we can follow that up with a good result to force ourselves back into the top ten. It will be a tough game as always against the Cherries but I fancy us to take advantage of your dip in form and take a 2-1 win.

CC: Thanks to Jay for some great inside information on Crystal Palace from the Eagles Beak. I might be able to put a smile on my face if Scott Dann is unable to play - he's caused AFCB loads of problems in the last few meetings. It seems that AFCB have been falling and Palace rising in recent weeks and they now meet when the top 10 place is up for grabs for either of them. The loser though would be perhaps slightly behind the pace for this season, while 19  for Bournemouth or 21 points for Palace would a good return from 15 games. Back-to back wins are difficult for any team apart form the top three, but Bournemouth need to pick up points now to avoid problems by the end of December.

In other news, AFC Bournemouth have a home draw for the third round FA Cup weekend in January when they'll be playing Luton Town of the Championship.

A point at Palace is hard when every tackle is a penalty!

Match Report

Crystal Palace 2 v 2 AFCB

9 December 2017

Attendance: 24,823

AFCB take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

What a strange game this was. Bournemouth were well in control when a swiftly taken corner move from the training ground led to a clear shot for Jermain Defoe to open the scoring, and even when Wilfried Zaha was running at Bournemouth's defence Palace did not look like scoring. Unfortunately. Begovic wanted to make sure and Zaha won the penalty to get Palace in the game, while a second Palace goal from Scott Dann, who else - he always scores against AFCB - should have given Palace a half time lead, but Defoe's remarkable lofted chip made it 2-2 at the break. Bournemouth looked to have secured a point in injury time, but Zaha was up to his old tricks and Daniels almost lost the game with a last ditch tackle on him. Justice was done though when a greedy Benteke took the spot kick and Begovic saved it t leave the score 2-2.  

The Christmas spirit was going well at Selhurst Park
until the penalties started to get awarded.

Bournemouth only made one change with Steve Cook replacing the suspended Adam Smith, while Harry Artur made it back on the bench. 

Crystal Palace made three changes with Ward, Kelly ad McCarthy dropping out of the starting line up and Fosu-Mensah, Cabaye and Tomkins coming into the team.

There are more pictures on Match Day Gallery.

Bournemouth and Crystal Palace go all out for a win. 

Bournemouth were under pressure from the start with Jeffrey Schlupp firing over from distance. Benteke then had a chance at the near post but headed wide. 

Defoe did his best to get a header just wide of the target from a right wing cross, but after some good work from King to win a corner Defoe would get another chance. This time Surman took it short to Stanislas who played it back for Surman to pick out a centrally -laced Defoe who slotted past Seproni from about 12 yards to make it one-nil on 10 minutes. Josh King had illegally held Schlupp back from making a challenge but the referee had not seen and nor had I at the time.

Palace were undeterred with Benteke forcing a save from Begovic off his knew, before Aké made a strong block from Townsend. From the Palace corner Sakho missed almost a sitter on the line with Surman in attendance, but Bournemouth scrambled the ball away. 

King was working hard and almost got to Sakho at the back. Cabaye then made a great tackle on Defoe to deny him a striking chance when he was almost through. Sakho had played Defoe onside, because he was injured and had to be replaced by Scott Dann on 25 minutes. 

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Tomkins then fouled King and picked up a yellow card. Tomkins later had a shot from distance that went wide, even if the offside should have gone up earlier. Milivojevic then went in the book for chopping Fraser down. Stanislas almost broke through but Speroni came out quickly to deny a chance. Stanislas did get a shot off a moment later but it was deflected right at the keeper. 

The game to a big turn when a long ball was headed on by Benteke to Zaha to chase. While Akee looked to have got across, Begovic came out to make sure and Zaha went down. A penalty was awarded and Milivojevic stuck it away. Zaha left his leg trailing and looked like he was already going down before Begovic made contact.

It was only three minutes later when the game changed completely and a Palace corner  was kept alive by Benteke and then Cabaye who put a low cross in from the right and Scott Dann popped up at the far post to make it 2-1.

Bournemouth were rocked but as half time approached Lewis Cook put a speculative ball forward from half way towards Defoe who not only get their first, ahead of Scott Dann, but with one bounce looped his shot over Speroni and in to the top left corner to make it 2-2. It was an absolute beauty!

Half time dancing at Palace.

Second half
Bournemouth came out early and they soon had Palace on the back foot with Surman hitting a shot at Speroni. But Begovic soon also had to make a save from Rubens Loftus-Cheek.

Stanislas was starting to see more of the ball and had a shot deflected. He then found Defoe who shot wide just in front of Dann. Bournemouth were not getting the decisions at this point.

Howe changed things to bring Ibe on for Stanislas on 65 minute and Palace too Cabaye off and brought McArthur on. Ibe did his usual in running into trouble straight away, but a few moments later he had his head down and drilled a fierce shot that Speroni could only push away.

Lewis Cook then clipped Zaha and the Palace forward lost his cool and went for Lewis Cook. It was a yellow for Zaha.

Palace were getting closer when Benteke headed a free kick on to Scott Dann who shot over from six yards. Townsend was then subbed for Sakho to come on with 12 minutes to go. Ibe was fouled by McArthur who got booked before Callum Wilson replaced Defoe with 10 minutes left.

Benteke was then booked for a foul on Lewis Cook. Palace were still mounting a challenge and Loftus-Cheek has a low shot saved by Begovic at his left post. Ibe made a terrible mistake playing the ball back towards the D when he could have cleared, but Milivojevic finally put the chance wide.

Afobe replaced King for the last three minutes. The passing became more erratic and with five minutes of added time it was Bournemouth that were hanging on. A long ball up to Zaha had Steve Cook back peddling and while he blocked a first shot from the number 11, Daniels came in with a stronger challenge to put the ball out for what looked like a corner, but Kevin Friend pointed to the spot. I couldn't believe it and nor could the Bournemouth players as Daniels looked to have made a clean attempt to get the ball. Yet, on Match of the Day's replay we did see that Daniels had touched Zaha's foot first.

Benteke was not the appointed penalty taker but he stepped up anyway having not scored all season. So it was something he'll have to explain when he saw his spot kick saved by Begovic, low to his right.


Bournemouth were not finished. They even had a shout for a penalty themselves after Wilson tried to get a shot off in the box and Schlupp had his hands up that blocked the shot.

Match line up for AFCB.

Summary
Palace possibly deserved one penalty, but two was a rather fortunate for them. Bournemouth's players were adamant that neither should have been a penalty kick, but you are not going to win every decision when you make last ditch challenges in the box. Zaha knows to go down when he feels the challenge and he was impressive in playing the victim. But Bournemouth's defenders know he would do that, and getting into those situations in the first place is the thing that should concern Howe. Still, Bournemouth showed some good moments and Defoe finally showed us how he is a goalscorer that only needs a slight chance to get his goals. While three points would have been handy from this game, it is a good point against an improving Palace side.

AFCB escape with a draw.

Bournemouth players surround the referee after the match.

AFCB Ratings
Begovic 8, Francis 5, S Cook 6, Aké 6, Daniels 6, Fraser 6, L Cook 7, Surman 7, Stanislas 6, King 7, Defoe 9

Crystal Palace
Speroni, Fosu-Mensah, Tomkins, Sakho (Dann), Schlupp, Townsend (Sako), Cabaye (McArthur), Milivojevic (Loftus-Cheek), Zaha, Benteke

Palace Subs

Hennessey, van Aanholt, Dann, McArthur, Sako, Kelly, Puncheon

Referee Watch: Kevin Friend 2/10 - Far too many free kicks and penalties awarded. It was a well contested game but seven yellow cards was excessive and players were winning free kicks for just hitting the ground - unfortunately, Zaha did most of his falling over in AFCB's penalty box.

What's the best way to get at Crystal Palace?

Bournemouth take on Crystal Palace knowing that a win could push the Cherries well up the table, and yet the Eagles know they have to improve their home record if they are to get out of their situation. Much of Palace's problems have been of their own making. But they are starting to get it together and under Roy Hodgson they are getting their belief back.

Is time up on Crystal Palace's Premier League journey?

The first thing Bournemouth will aim to do is stop Wilfried Zaha from terrorising them. He is the quality in Palace's team and keeping him quite is not going to be down to one Bournemouth player but several. But shackling Zaha alone won't be enough. Yohan Cabaye is another player who can find gas and the crosses of Townsend are just perfect for Christian Benteke if he times his runs well. The aerial battle is something that I expect Hodgson to target, and it is as well that Steve Cook is likely to come back into the Bournemouth side. Bournemouth will need all the height they have it's just a shame that Tyrone Mings is not ready yet to play. We know how good Scott Dann is in the air as well and even if Crystal Palace find it hard to play fluent football they will get set-pieces.

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So Bournemouth have to defend well and this season we have seen them improve at keeping set-pieces out. The form of Nathan Aké and the catching ability of Begovic has added some security, but even in recent games some of the defensive headed clearances went virtually know where in Bournemouth's own box. Clearing the lines was a problem all right and it led to Charlie Austin's equaliser, so the Cherries need to do some work on that.

I also believe that Bournemouth will get chances though against this Palace defence that has let in 25 goals from 15 games. But from their last five games, Palace have only conceded four goals. So, there is improvement there for the Eagles.

Meanwhile, AFCB are not scoring goals in any great quantities away from home. The best away result remains the 1-2 away win at Stoke. Getting a second goal in an away match has been a rare event and Bournemouth need to see a sharper and more aggressive desire to get goals than they have been showing if they want to win games.

Possible AFCB line up for Crystal Palace game.

AFCB Subs: Boruc, Simpson, Gosling, Ibe, Pugh, Afobe, C Wilson

Are Crystal Palace on the up?

I am a bit anxious that the feel good factor is re-emerging at Crystal Palace. This last week they have climbed to 18th in the table with a draw against WBA and talk of a new expanded Selhurst Park stadium befitting of a Premier League club.

AFCB go to Selhurst Park this Saturday.

Their problem is will they play well enough this season to retain their status? Well, Palace are past masters at picking up points when they have to. The win they had against Chelsea is proof that they are a far better team than their position shows in the table and while it hasn't all been going well for them this season with the earliest managerial sacking in Premier League history, Roy Hodgson has them organised again and playing on the front foot.

Where they still have a weakness is surely in defence. Patrick van Aanholdt is still getting used to the English game having gone on loads of loans and struggling at Smderland before his move to Palace, Mamadou Sakho has not been as influential as he was at the end of last season, while Scott Dann has been out of form and Jeffrey Schlupp is still making his way at the club. Hodgson will make them more settled though at the back and if he gets the foundation right back there, we know that they have pace and skill in abundance further forward.

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Wilfiried Zaha and Andros Townsend could fit into many Premier League sides and the big man Christian Benteke is back now, even if he is not in goalscoring form yet. Jason Puncheon is now the captain and no doubt he has been feeling the pressure with the start the Eagles have made.

I think palace just need to play games to improve now. They have strong players in Rubens Loftus-Cheek and Yohan Cabaye in the middle and once they get an understanding of each others game they should pick up. But a set back now could really hinder their progress and of course do wonders for AFCB. It's a big game in how the bottom six might unfold and Eddie Howe has to get this across to his players without making them frightened of going out and playing their best football. Crystal Palace are on the up but AFCB can do something about that.

Crystal Palace Home Form
LWDDW

AFCB Away Form
LLWWD

Palace see survival hopes rise after simple win at Bournemouth

Match Report

AFCB 0 v 2 Crystal Palace

31 January 2017

Attendance: 11,286

AFCB and Palace enter the field.

The Cherries stooped to their 11 defeat of the season by going down 0-2 at home to a Palace side that did not have to do a great deal to take all three points. Palace simply defended well and ensured the Cherries could not find away down their flanks, and this nullifying tactic saw them through the first half with the help of some innocuous free kicks that referee Jonathan Moss handed out like confetti, even if he did not seem to want to book any one. This all slowed AFCB's game and the shattering blow that Scott Dean's close in goal provided, two minutes into the second half, suddenly gave AFCB a burden which they just couldn't manage to comeback from. A last 20 minutes finally saw AFCB find a bit of fight in their belly, but it was far too late and an error from Simon Francis in added on time was also turned into a second goal, as Andros Townsend crossed well to pick out Christian Benteke who headed in for Sam Allardyce's first win since he took the Palace job.

AFCB look to add to their home wins.

Palace had not won under Sam Allardyce before this game.

AFCB made a few changes with Simon Francis returning to the side, while Brad Smith came in for an injured Charlie Daniels and Benik Afobe came in for Callum Wilson.

The match was a crucial one in that Palace were still in the bottom three at kick off, while AFCB new that a win could make a massive difference to their gap above the bottom three. It was quite a sedate start to the game until van Aanholt ploughed down the left wing and found McArthur, who in turn saw Wilfred Zaha on the edge of the box. The Palace winger took no time in lining up a shot and hit a low drive against the post in the third minute.

Brad Smith was busy keeping Zaha from getting down the right wing. When AFCB did win another free kick though and Puncheon hit the wall the ball back in landed right at Scott Dann's feet but he hit a poor shot wide from six yards.

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If that didn't unsettle AFCB, then a double attempted punch clearance from Boruc a few moments later sent the jitters around the stadium. The Cherries were getting pulled up for just about everything by a rather picky referee who wouldn't let the game run. It suited Palace as they could just launch high balls into the box for Benteke and hope for a chance.

AFCB's first real shot came on 22 minutes when Josh King turned quickly from the edge of the box and hit a strong drive that veered just wide. Stanislas later also saw his deflected shot land just wide of the Palace goal in what had been a tame first half for chances created.

Palace should have extended the lead when Zaha brought almost a point blank save out of Boruc from six yards on 39 minutes, which meant the teams went in 0-0 at half time.

Allsop is among the subs with Federici missing.

Half time score baord.

The second half was just beginning when Palace's first goal came after a quickly won corner. The corner was punched away by Boruc to van Aanholt, and the pass out wide for Puncheon saw the ball fired back into the box, and a flick on made the ball loop to the far post where Scot Dann stabbed the ball home.

AFCB fans might have expected the Cherries to finally find their top gear now, but rather like the January transfer window, it was beginning to look like a bit of a let down of a performance. While Wilshere was happy to accept the passes and look for others and Josh King looked fired up, there was not much else stirring for the Cherries.

Ryan Fraser was getting doubled up on and muscled out of the game by Ward, who even crowded his arms round the wee man in an embrace to stop him at one point, and still was not carded. van Aanholt missed a good centrally placed chance to test Boruc when he shot over and the only happy cheer form the Cherries' fans was to see Ward finally get a yellow card.

AFCB were making  more mistakes now with Brad Smith giving McArthur a shot that he blazed over. Howe needed to make changes and on the hour it was Callum Wilson who came on for the luckless Afobe, and Jordan Ibe who replaced Junior Stanislas.

Ryan Fraser put in a free kick that dribbled off a group of players but just not fast enough to trick Hennessey who could claim the ball without any alarm. Harry Arter came on for Brad Smith while Andrew Surman filled in at centre-back with the Cherries reorganising.

At last, with 20 minutes to go there was a bit of energy and excitement to AFCB's play. Jordan Ibe was getting down the right and putting crosses in. Josh King was making a heroic run in twisting an turning  past five players before finally being fouled.  This was more like it.

At one point King dashed in between Puncheon and Ward to reclaim a lost cause of a ball that was running out of play to great cheers from the AFCB fans. King was clearly wanting his team-mates to pick up his tempo. While we saw shots fired wide from Arter and Steve Cook drill a great low drive inches wide, there was nothing to really worry Hennessey in the Palace goal until four minutes of added time went up, and Jack Wilshere hit a stinging free kick shot that came off the post, while Hennessey turned quickly to reclaim the ball.

Just when the ground started to empty, it was a long kick out from the Palace keeper that made the victory even more complete for Sam Allardyce. Simon Francis had lots of time to make a clearance from the kick and instead of passing to Adam Smith he put the ball straight int the path of substitute Andros Townsend who whipped in a deep cross for Christian Benteke to head past Boruc and make it 0-2.

Arter made a good impression when he came on.

Scott Dann  and Wayne Hennessey celebrate their win.

Summary

The Cherries may not have liked the misty rain or the month of January, but they came out like a tortoise not quite sure if they should be eating off scraps or waiting for someone to give them a plate full of delicious chances in front of goal. The quality was missing and Palace were great at putting up an organised double-dike defence of men in front of the ball that was simply impenetrable. Suddenly the finishing line of somewhere between 36-40 points looks a long way away if this side cannot find some belief and start working together to take games by the scruff of the neck. All Palace had to do was wait for one of the balls they put in the box to land at the foot or head of one of their players, and when Scott Dann got on the end of one of those crosses, you couldn't see any way back for the Cherries.

Where do AFCB go from here? Goodison.

AFCB
Boruc, A Smith, Francis, S Cook, B Smith (Arter), Surman, Wilshere, Stanislas (Ibe 62),
King, Fraser, Afobe (C Wilson 61)

AFCB Subs

Allsop, Gosling, Pugh, Arter, C Wilson, Mings, Ibe

Palace
Hennessey, Ward, Tomkins, Dann, Delaney, van Aanholt, Zaha, Cabaye (Ledley),
McArthur (Townsend), Puncheon (Flamini), Benteke

Palace Subs
Speroni, Flamini, Remy, Campbell, Townsend, Ledley, Fryers

AFCB Ratings

Boruc 6, A Smith 5, Francis 5, S Cook 6, B Smith 6 (Arter 6), Surman 5, Wilshere 7, Stanislas 5  (Ibe 6), King 7, Fraser 6, Afobe 5(C Wilson 5)

Referee Rating: 3/10 Jonathan Moss - too many stoppages in play. It really was frustrating and Ryan Fraser was given no protection at all. Can't blame the ref for AFCB's poor performance though.

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Marc Pugh can shoot with either foot Mr Dann!

You've got to love Marc Pugh. He is the player that just about anyone of us could feel like we would play like if we ever got the chance to wear an AFCB shirt on the pitch - a genuine down to earth kind of guy. He always puts in 100 per cent and how sweet is it when everything goes really well for him? That was the case against Crystal Palace. Their fans had probably never heard of him before but I tell you, they know who he is now. 

Pugh in the line up for shooting practise before the game.

The moment when Marc Pugh scored was absolutely critical in this game. If Palace had gone two up, you could have seen it being another bad outing for the pink shirts. Much of the reason why that did not happen though was because of what Marc Pugh did in the 34th minute. Scott Dann must have thought he was in a good position to defend this left winger who had moved just inside the box. While Pugh received the ball like a hot potato, he quickly swivelled to his left and then he right as he looked to make room for a shot. Dann was certainly expecting Pugh to use his left foot I expect, but this time Marc was happy to go with his right and to use Dann's presence as a good shield, so that Hennessey could not see when he was about to shoot. Seeing the ball race away and into the corner, there was no holding back Pugh who launched into a wild celebration.

"It was a great goal for Marc, " Said Eddie Howe. "We needed it at a time when we hadn't given them really too many problems defensively. Great pass from Charlie Daniels , he took it really well and checked and finished it off really well - we've seen him do it many times down the years and it was great to see that one go in."

That is now Marc's fourth goal of the season and Scott Dann is now fully aware that Pugh can use his right foot as well as his left. The goal gave the Cherries that belief that they were well in the game and having withstood some great pressure early on it was good to see them playing with real passion and grit. It meant a lot for Pugh to score and that's what you want to see. 

"Marc Pugh - he's to good for you!" UTCIAD!

The Cherries play pretty in pink at Palace 1-2

Match Report

Crystal Palace 1 v 2 AFCB

2 February 2016

Attendance: 24,855 (Incl 2832 fab AFCB fans!)

The teams are led out.

What a delightful night for the Cherries. There was much to admire about the pink shirts that ran around Selhurst Park. If it wasn't Charlie Daniels' crunching tackles on Wilfred Zaha that got you smiling, it was the outstanding saves of Artur Boruc or the running menace that wears number eight. AFCB went a goal down midway through the first half when some trickery from Chung-Yong Lee opened the back door and Zaha's baseliine cross was easily stabbed home by Scott Dann. The Cherries did not lose sight of the Eagles' goal though, even if our view was terrible, Marc Pugh found the bottom corner of Hennessey's net three minutes later and it was set up for a blockbuster of a second half. While Matt Ritchie thought he might have won it when he struck from just inside the box, it was just what Benik Afobe was waiting for and he pounced on Hennessy's spilt save to head in from close range. The Cherries had come from behind.

Boruc rallies the troops.

There was just the one change in AFCB's line up since the Sundelrand game with Matt Ricthie coming in for the injured Junior Stanislas. Crystal Palace made three changes but new boy, Emmanuel Adebayor started on the bench. 

Team news with Jason Tindall.

There was no sign of this being an easy game as soon as Chung-Yung Lee volleyed over the Cherries bar in the first few minutes. The pressure was kept on by the homes side with a corner and the Cherries struggled to get out of their own half.

AFCB had a sniff of a chance on 11 minutes when Ritchie was fouled on the edge of the box. He took the free kick but blasted it into the wall. Boruc was being kept busy but was making catches look simple. Now AFCB were starting to play with Pugh making a lovely dummy from a ball crossed by Daniels so that it would run to Arter but his pass for Gosling was too strong.

AFCB won their first corner on 20 minutes after Ritchie crossed and it hit a Palace hand only for  a high lopped shot from Arter was tipped over by the Palace keeper. AFCB's luck was not looking good when Daniels floated a great ball into the far post where Afobe got his volley all wrong as the ball went sideways when he looked in a great position to score.

Sadly, Palace were just about to go in front. A corner they had was cleared but Chung-Yung Lee back heeled it on the right wing back into Zaha's path in the box and his driven cross was met by Scott Dann with Boruc having no chance.

Crystal Palace's elation at going 1-0 up was not kept for long as Marc Pugh went on a stunning run inside the Palace box twisting Scott Dann one way and then the other before getting on his right foot and finding the bottom corner from 17 yards out! Spectacular! Hennessey dived well but just couldn't reach the sweetly hits shot.

The rest of the first half became quite entertaining if only for Wilfred Zaha's protests with Adam Smith for which Wilfred gave both barrels to the assistant referee for not giving hm a decision. The outburst only invited referee Mike Jones to come across and present the Palace winger with a yellow card. Zaha later had a volley go well over the bar and Pape Square did the same as the game reached half time.

The Crystals at Selhurst.

All eyes on the girls at half time.

Second Half

Jordan Mutch replaced McArthur at half time and Palace came out strongly in the second half with Jason Puncheon having a shot blocked. Scott Dann then got yellow carded for a foul on Afobe as AFCB get themselves going. Arter fired the free kick well over from the left wing but better was to come.

Arter popped up on the left again and threaded a square pass across the box that Ledley missed and Ritchie ran on to blasting it at goal and forcing a full stretch save to his right by Hennessey. The ball rebounded out and Benik Afobe contorted his body into a spring and powered his header as far away from the recovering keeper as he could and into the bottom left corner -1-2! AFCB had the lead.

Adebayor came on at this point for Campbell and I just hoped that he was ring rusty. Boruc certainly was not making a fabulous save from Puncheon. Francis was in a bit of trouble though and got a yellow for fouling Square on the break.

Arter made a strong breakaway from the resulting Palace corner and might have gone all the way but for running into some traffic on the edge of the box. Francis then made a block on the floor from Puncheon's shot. Jedinak was next to try but he shot over. AFCB were defending deep with three headers at one point needed to get the ball clear from the box. Chamakh had also replaced Lee.

Josh King came on to replace goal hero Afobe on 75 minutes and when Dunne lost the ball to Arter in his own half he just had to find King on the left to close the game out but his pass went straight to the keeper.

Matt Smith was given a yellow for pulling back Mutch. Soon after Boruc made his best save of the game when Jedinak played a ball through to Chimakh who had most of the goal to aim at but only found a Polish keeper who strong handed the shot away for a corner. Boruc soon had to make another save as well from Puncheon at his near post.

Josh King was making some nice touches around the box and he saw a shot it the side netting as the clock ticked on and the last chance fell to Adebayor who met a cross from Square but managed to turn and shoot but again only into the side netting.

Summary

A fabulous three points for the Cherries and Afobe's confidence is just going to get even better after bagging the winner here. It was a strong team performance and a win for the pink shirts at last. The important point is that it was a win coming from behind and that must be pleasing for Eddie Howe. Now they can start to see a bit of daylight ahead of the bottom three and  two home games are up next. I know that Arsenal and Stoke will be very difficult but getting anything out of those games now will put AFCB in a very strong position.

The boys done good!

Crystal Palace

Hennessey, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souaré, Jedinak, McArthur (Mutch 45), Zaha, Puncheon, Lee ( Chamakh 68), Campbell (Adebayor 58)

Palace Subs

Speroni, Hangeland, Mutch, Adebayor, Chamakh, Kelly, Boateng

AFCB
Boruc, Smith, Francis, Cook, Daniels, Surman, Ritchie (Grabban 85), Gosling, Arter (Distin 94), Pugh, Afobe (King 75)

AFCB Subs
Federici, Distin, O'Kane, Grabban, Iturbe, King, Murray

AFCB Ratings
Boruc 8, Smith 7, Francis 7, Cook 7, Daniels 8, Surman 7, Ritchie 7 (Grabban 85),Gosling 6, Arter 7 (Distin 94), Pugh 8, Afobe 8 (King 75)


Referee Watch: Mike Jones - likes the colour yellow perhaps a bit too much 4/10

There were just two correct score prediction of 1-2 to AFCB and that was @bmb_afcb Gayle Hope and @babyduck999. I had to do a draw and the winner was Gayle who wins the fridge magnet AFCB badge. There will be another small prize for the Arsenal game.