December 9 2017

Luka Milivojevic

Crystal Palace draw their third game in a row, with a 2-2 result against Bournemouth.

Roy Hodgson kept with Julian Speroni in goal, after his clean sheet against West Brom last week, but was forced to make a change at right back with Timothy Fosu-Mensah coming in for the injured Joel Ward.

There were also returns to the starting lineup for Yohan Cabaye, and James Tomkins.

The visitors took an early lead in the 10th minute, when Jermain Defoe fired a low shot past Speroni from Andrew Surman's cross.

The Eagles were forced into a change after only 25 minutes when Mamadou Sakho was forced off with a calf injury, and was replaced by Scott Dann.

Palace grabbed a goal back in the 41st minute through a Luka Milivojevic penalty after Wilfried Zaha was adjudged to have been brought down in the box by Cherries keeper Asmir Begovic.

The Eagles were then in front just three minutes later when Cabaye's cross was met at the far post by Dann.

Unfortunately Palace couldn't take the lead into the break - In the third minute of injury time Defoe produced a piece of magic, rushing onto a through ball and lofting a half volley over the head of Speroni and into the back of the net.

In the second period Palace continued to create chances - Dann skied a ball over from close range, and Benteke also squandered a chance from 12 yards.

It was in injury time where the real drama unfolded. Wilfried Zaha went over in the box, and referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot.

Despite Milivojevic having scored an earlier penalty, Benteke insisted that he took the spot kick - going against the wishes of the management.

The Belgian stepped up and side footed a terrible shot at goal, which was easily saved by Begovic.

So the game ended 2-2, and Palace wasted a wonderful chance to take all three points.

With other results going against Palace, they have now returned to the foot of the Premier League table.

Next up, Watford at home on Tuesday night.

Palace: Speroni, Fosu-Mensah, Schlupp, Sakho (Dann, 25), Tomkins, Townsend (Sako, 78), Loftus-Cheek, Cabaye (McArthur, 65), Milivojevic, Zaha, Benteke

Subs not used: Puncheon, Hennessey, Kelly, van Aanholt

Goals: Milivojevic (pen 41), Dann (44)

Bournemouth: Begovic, S Cook, Francis, Ake, Daniels, Surman, L Cook, Fraser (Afobe, 87), Stanislas (Ibe, 65), Defoe (Wilson, 80), King

Subs not used: Simpson, Gosling, Arter, Boruc

Goals: Defoe (10, 45)

2017/18 match reports

2017/18 squad stats

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