December 26 2015

Alan Pardew

Crystal Palace move up to fifth in the Premier League with a goalless draw with Bournemouth.

Injuries to Yannick Bolasie and Connor Wickham meant that Alan Pardew was forced into a few changes for the Boxing Day clash.

Fraizer Campbell started up front, and there was also a starting place for Jordon Mutch in midfield.

Former Palace favourite Glenn Murray started for Bournemouth up front.

The Eagles almost went in front as early as the 8th minute when Damien Delaney's effort was well saved by Artur Boruc in the Bournemouth goal.

Dan Gosling had the Cherries' best chance in the first half with a looping shot that was well saved by Wayne Hennessey.

Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter received the only yellow card of the game when his crunching challenge on Wilfried Zaha towards the end of the first half, riled the winger but referee Michael Oliver calmed the situation down before it got out of control.

In the second half Pardew opted to bring on Yohan Cabaye in an attempt to keep the ball more in midfield.

Both sides struggled to create chances in the second half - Murray had a few chances for the home side, and Matt Ritchie had a scuffed shot that was easily saved by Hennessey.

Speaking after the game Alan Pardew was full of praise for both sides: "Their work-rate was phenomenal," he said.

"They wouldn't let us have a rest, they wouldn't let us keep the ball.

"I had to bring on Yohan Cabaye to try and get some of the ball and in the last few minutes I thought it showed.

"Bournemouth really couldn't raise a leg at that period -- probably our best period of the game -- so I am full of admiration for what they did today.

"Physically, mentally it was a tough game. You have to take your hat off to Bournemouth, they were relentless."

"The ref made a good call on Harry Arter. He has done brilliant, he just slightly mistimed that.

"That was the only moment where it got a little unsavoury, but in the end the referee made the right call and it was all sorted out."

When you see your team climb Into 5th position 😬😬😬 #cpfc 🙏🏾✌🏽️

A video posted by 🇨🇩🇨🇩 Thank God Regardless 🙏 (@yannickbolasie) on Dec 26, 2015 at 10:18am PST

Tough game against @afcbournemouth was nice to see @GM_83 & get a clean sheet #eagles fans were amazing #cpfc

— Wayne Hennessey (@WayneHennessey1) December 26, 2015

Palace: Hennessey, Delaney, Ward, Souare, Dann, McArthur, Ledley (Jedinak, 74), Puncheon, Mutch (Cabaye, 45), Zaha, Campbell (Chamakh, 68)

Bournemouth: Boruc, Francis, Smith, Daniels, Cook, Stanislas, Surman, Ritchie, Arter (O'Kane, 45), Gosling (Kermorgant, 89), Murray (Rantie, 71)

2015/16 match reports

2015/16 squad stats

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