August 28 2016

Wickham squares up to shoot but ultimately it needed a defender to nick a draw

Comings, goings and rumours are rife around SE25. The Eagles set their sights on a home win against Bournemouth, reports Jamesey.

It's a funny old game, Brian, as someone used to say.

Crystal Palace lose 0-1 at home to a late nicked goal from West Bromwich Albion (Aug 13). The following week the scenario is repeated with a defeat at Tottenham - 1-0 to a late nicked goal.

Most of the crowd of 23,503 (including a very noisy throng from the south coast) were wondering what fare would be served up when Bournemouth came to town (Aug 27).

The answer was, of course, a point, after a late nicked equaliser from the head of Scott Dann. Heaven forfend, even with two strikers we needed a defender to get the spherical object into the net.

Since my last column a couple of weeks ago, events have moved fast.

The expected move of Yannick Bolasie to Everton was finalised and off the much-loved lad went with the best wishes from most fair-minded supporters.

More of a surprise was the transfer of longtime stalwart, Mile Jedinak, to Aston Villa.

Having lost his captaincy and automatic first-team place, Jedi decided that to become a Villan suited him at this stage of his career. Another greatly respected player packed his bags.

After what seemed interminable hoo-ing and ha-ing, a club record transfer deal was agreed with Liverpool and Belgian striker Christian Benteke arrived at Selhurst.

More recently and, to this supporter, surprisingly, Wilfried Zaha asked for a transfer. A derisory offer from Tottenham was totally rejected and he was left on the bench for the Cherries game, of which more below.

So there we were on a patchy but warm afternoon, witnessing the uncanny sight of the Eagles running out in 4-4-2 formation, with two big fellows, Connor Wickham and Christian Benteke up front.

Anyone who thought the Cherries would be a pushover (surely there can't be many sane or adult Palace supporters who ever have thoughts like that?) were of course quickly confounded.

After 11 minutes Joshua King banged one in past a floundering Steve Mandanda and, once more, Palace were 1-0 down.

Hope flickered fleetingly in our breasts when, five minutes later, a penalty was awarded for shirt-pulling on the multi-million £ Benteke.

Yohan Cabaye's spot-kick was duly saved by Bournemouth's in-form keeper, Artur Boruc.

The Cherries proceeded to dominate the first period and it was a relief to be only a goal down at the whistle.

The sound of angry booing emanated from all over the ground from the disgruntled Eagles supporters, a noise I personally don't recollect hearing since Pards took over at the helm in January of last year.

In the second half of last season, one could argue that it was a wonder that supporters were were so patient as Palace drifted down the table, but managing to stay above the trap-door.

The second half continued in equally listless fashion and appeals from the crowd for "Wilfried Zaha" grew louder and louder.

In the 66th minute their wish was granted and two subs ran on - Wilf and Chung-yong Lee.

If, as was feared, Wilf's unsettled temperament would affect his playing, there was no sign of it.

He and his Korean team-mate went in all guns blazing and the Eagles looked like a different team, with Boruc saving the Bournemouth bacon a few times.

The Palace momentum grew stronger and stronger and it seemed the fates were determined the ball would not enter the visitors' net.

Then three minutes into added-on time, at last the Selhurst jinx was overcome. If we had been watching a video, a dramatic orchestral fanfare would have built up into a glorious crescendo as who else but Scott Dann headed a beauty past the Cherries custodian.

Selhurst erupted into a stadium of joy. No, we hadn't just won the Euro Champions Cup but equalised at home against a small newly-promoted outfit from the south coast.

But the Eagles had broken their Selhurst current goal drought, gained a point, and, if tables are worth a jot at this stage, were 17th and out of the relegation zone!

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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