May 15 2017

Punch grapples with a Tiger during the 4-0 victory over visitors, Hull City.

The hackneyed phrase "squeaky bum time" doesn't even start to reflect the anxiety that hung over Selhurst Park for the visit of Hull City, declares Jamesey.

The South London weather echoed CPFC's season - cloudy with bright patches - for the crucial match against Hull City (May 14).

After victories against top outfits Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, Eagles supporters could have been forgiven for thinking the future was cut and dried as far as another season in the Stacksomoulah League.

But, of course, the Palace syndrome (ie: never doing things the easy way but alway inflicting maximum fear and worry on innocent fans) kicked in.

Three defeats running against Tottenham, Burnley and Manchester City sent Palace plunging into the relegation dogfight which we thought had been a thing of the past.

Nobody expected a visit to the Etihad (May 6) would be a doddle but the abject 5-0 defeat to Manchester City brought serious doubts about CPFC's ability to compete in the top tier. It was an awful performance, even allowing for the absence though injury of some key players and the excellent football of City’s stars.

Anyhow the penultimate match of the season was massively important for CPFC and Hull City, both candidates to join already relegated Sunderland and Middlesbrough in the second division.

The game was a midday kick-off so at least it was all going to be settled early and even a loss to the Tigers wouldn't necessarily send CPFC down although a loss for the visitors would be the kiss of death.

It was a relief to see James Tomkins back in the defence although regrettably the superb Mamadou Sakho was still sidelined.

Otherwise the Eagles line-up was at full strength and the sound of the referee's starting whistle had barely died away when a shocking blunder by Hull's Andrea Ranocchia allowed Wilfried Zaha through on goal and he slotted the ball neatly between the legs of keeper Eldin Jakupovic.

It looked a simple goal but considering the tension of the occasion, Wilf kept a cool head where many might have succumbed to nerves and put the Eagles one-up after three minutes. It was an invaluable effort.

After the explosion of joyful noise had subsided the match continued without much incident and the Eagles were playing with confidence and assurance.

This was more like the current Palace we know and love, playing deep but quick on the counter-attack.

Hull were beginning to assert themselves more until, after 34 minutes, Christian Benteke nodded in a corner kick and that’s how it stayed until the half-time whistle.

Hull manager Marco Silva made some important substitutions for the second period and they looked seriously like getting back into the game as Palace were forced deeper and deeper.

Eagles supporters’ nerves were becoming more and more and frayed but Palace held fast and Wayne Hennessey made some important interceptions.

With the game nearly over, Jeffrey Schlupp was felled in the box after a fine run and even our favourite official Mark von Clotterburg couldn’t have denied the penalty which Luka Milivojevic coolly converted.

We happy band of red-and-blue spectators were even given a last-minute treat with a goal from substitute Patrick van Aanholt who made it an emphatic 4-0.

And there it was. Hull City were relegated and Palace were staying up and the result heralded a club record of five consecutive seasons in the top tier of the English football league.

The statistics told a similar story to other results since Sam Allardyce took over at the helm last Christmas time. Despite having the lion’s share of possession, the Tigers had not a single shot on target.

The result had an extra element of delight for this supporter who is attending only his second away game of the season at Old Trafford for the final Sunday. A win in Manchester would, of course, put the chocolate on the cappuccino but it won’t be essential and one will be breathing the north-western air calmly and just enjoying a game of football.

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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