Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run to six Premier League games as they beat Crystal Palace late on at a soggy Vitality Stadium on Tuesday.
Andoni Iraola’s side created big chances in each half and Justin Kluivert smashed home late on to give the hosts a win which puts them in the conversation for a top 10 finish.
Crystal Palace huffed and puffed and had a goal chalked out by VAR and had several penalty kick shouts turned down as Oliver Glasner’s side will be looking a little nervously over their shoulders given their tough schedule to end the season.
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With the win Bournemouth move on to 41 points, just three off eighth-placed Newcastle. Palace are without a win in four games and are on 30 points, eight above the relegation zone.
We should be very worried about Palace
There was a distinct lack of belief and cutting edge in Crystal Palace’s play at Bournemouth and we all knew their lack of attacking creativity wasn’t going to change overnight. Oliver Glasner has kept Palace solid and steady since he arrived to replace Roy Hodgson. But Palace were already solid and steady and that was their main problem before the Austrian coach arrived. Glasner has one win from his first five games in charge and Palace have Manchester City at home and Liverpool away in their next two games and seven of their final eight games of the season are against teams in the current top 10. By the time we get to the end of April there is a very real possibility Palace will be just a few points off the relegation zone, or maybe worse, and there will be huge pressure on the Eagles. Eberechi Eze is trying to do it all on his own and is missing Michael Olise’s creativity alongside him badly and it felt like Palace never truly believed they could win at Bournemouth on Tuesday. That is a huge concern and points to players still feeling their way into a different system and trying to adjust on the fly without being comfortable. Palace should be very worried about getting dragged right into this relegation scrap.
Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Dean Henderson had a great game to keep Palace in it as he made several top stops. Bournemouth were excellent across the back and Semenyo had a great cameo off the bench at half time to set up the winner.
What’s next?
Bournemouth head to Luton on Saturday, April 6. Crystal Palace host Manchester City on the same day.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 2:45 pm ET, Tuesday
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Online: Premier League on Peacock
Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace final score: 1-0
Kluivert 79'
Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Bournemouth 1-0 Crystal Palace
The Cherries grab all three points and that feels about right. They forced the issue more and had that extra bit of quality when they needed it. Palace just never really believed they were going to win this game.
Henderson saves from Semenyo
It is all Bournemouth now and Semenyo is in but his shot is saved down low by Henderson.
Kluivert smashes home after great work from Semenyo - Bournemouth 1-0 Crystal Palace (79th minute)
That is lovely stuff from half time sub Semenyo as he beats his man down the right and pulls it back for Kluivert. The Dutchman has plenty to do but he takes a touch and hammers home to give Bournemouth the lead late on.
Not much going on in the second half
Both teams are working hard in these tough conditions. We have the first chance of the second half as a shot from distance is spilled by Henderson and Solanke is on the loose ball but Henderson saves and then goes down injured as a free kick is given against Solanke.
Half time: Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace
Such a tight game and it is level at the break. Both teams have had a couple of big chances but it’s a stalemate so far in the soaking conditions.
Eze thought he had put Palace ahead but VAR spots an offside
Eze tucks home at the back post after Mateta had won the ball and a cross came in from the right. Eze celebrates but VAR checked the goal and Mateta was just offside. It was his heel and that was it. No goal.
Top save from Henderson, then Kelly heads wide
Smith whips in a cross from the right and Billing’s towering header looks certain to go in but Henderson gets a fingertip to it and it hits the bar and goes out for a corner. From that corner Lloyd Kelly climbs highest but his header at the back post skips just wide. Bournemouth so close to an opener. Twice.
Palace are growing into this game with chances at both ends
Mateta turns superbly and gets his shot off but it is straight at Neto. Eze is starting to pop up in dangerous areas and causing problems too. Moments later a counter finds Billing but he drags his shot wide. It’s livening up in the pouring rain as Will Hughes and Eze both charge towards goal but make the wrong decision when it matters most.
Calm start in the rain on the South Coast
Bournemouth are doing all of the probing but they are yet to really open Crystal Palace up.
Bournemouth lineup
Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Kelly, Ouattara; Billing, Cook; Tavernier, Scott, Christie; Solanke
Crystal Palace lineup
Henderson; Ward, Andersen, Lerma; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Eze, Mateta, Ayew
Bournemouth focus, team news
OUT: Luis Sinisterra (thigh), Ryan Fredericks (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Marcos Senesi (thigh), Ryan Christie (knock)
Crystal Palace focus, team news
OUT: Marc Guehi (knee), Matheus Franca (adductor), Sam Johnstone (elbow), Rob Holding (ankle), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh), Cheick Doucoure (achilles - out for season), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Michael Olise (hamstring)