Bournemouth won 2-0 at Crystal Palace on Wednesday to continue their great form and leave Crystal Palace scrambling.
The Cherries went ahead deservedly through Marcos Senesi’s header, then Kieffer Moore sealed the win late on after Crystal Palace had huffed and puffed but Jefferson Lerma’s shot that hit the post was as close as they came to equalizing.
With the defeat, their third in their last four games, Palace stay on 16 points and have picked up just one win from their last eight. Andonio Iraola’s Bournemouth have really clicked in recent weeks and have now won four of their last six, losing just once in that stretch, as they have now gone level on points with Palace.
Palace have to stop firefighting
Look, Roy Hodgson did a wonderful job to steady the ship and then some at Palace last season. Injuries have impacted the Eagles this season but you can see that the edge about their game has gone. Palace only have to look at Bournemouth, who battled past them and had extra energy and cut and thrust in attack on Wednesday, to see what can be achieved by having a long-term plan. Bournemouth were brave this summer to fire Gary O’Neil and hire Andoni Iraola. They could have moved on from Iraola a few weeks ago after some poor results but are being rewarded for being brave and sticking to a new playing style with players they signed to play that way. What is the Crystal Palace style of play? Hit teams on the counter and sit back deep to defend? They don’t have Wilfried Zaha anymore for that playing style to work as well and this defeat proved that Palace’s decision makers have to be brave, like Bournemouth, and focus on a new future without Hodgson. This Palace team has talented players but is a hodgepodge of players bought by Hodgson last time around and Patrick Vieira, who wanted to play totally different styles of football. It is time for Hodgson, one of the best firefighters in the business, to hang up his hose with his head held high. Palace need new direction, energy and ideas if they’re going to stop themselves from being dragged into an unnecessary relegation scrap.
Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Christie had a wonderful game controlling things in midfield. Sinisterra was excellent in attack, while Bournemouth’s defense held firm. Palace’s midfield dug deep but they couldn’t get their flair players on the ball enough as Michael Olise showed glimpses of his supreme quality.
What’s next?
Crystal Palace host Liverpool in the early game on Saturday, Dec. 9, while Bournemouth head to Manchester United on the same day.
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 2:30pm ET (Wednesday, Dec. 6)
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Full time: Crystal Palace 0-2 Bournemouth
Lots of empty seats in the home areas at Palace long before the full time whistle blows and Hodgson has some serious work to do to turns things around. On the other hand, Bournemouth are flying under Iraola.
Bournemouth seal the win late on as Moore heads home! - Crystal Palace 0-2 Bournemouth (91st minute)
Game. Set. Match. Tavernier does superbly to beat Johnstone to a pass, then takes his time to pick out Billing and he clips the ball to the back post for fellow sub Kieffer Moore to nod home. What a big win for Bournemouth this is.
Palace smash the post!
Crystal Palace go so close to an equalizer. Michael Olise plays in Jefferson Lerman and the former Bournemouth midfielder drills his shot against the post. So close. Moments later Olise slaloms through several tackles and is brought down in a dangerous position.
Half time: Crystal Palace 0-1 Bournemouth
The Cherries are ahead at the break and they deserve to be. They’ve had the best chances and Palace just haven’t been able to carve out opportunities. Kluivert and Semenyo have gone close and it’s Senesi’s goal which is the difference at the break.
The Cherries make the breakthrough - Crystal Palace 0-1 Bournemouth - Marcos Senesi (25th minute)
Marcos Senesi heads home from close range as Bournemouth silence the home fans at Selhurst. Ryan Christie’s corner is flicked on by Luis Sinisterra and Senesi was on hand to nod home. The pressure is piling on Palace and Roy Hodgson and Bournemouth are in great form and this game is so open.
Bright start at Selhurst!
Chances at both ends early on as Antoine Semenyo has a low shot well saved by Johnstone, then Olise sets up Ayew but his shot is blocked on Olise’s acrobatic effort on the rebound is over. Neto had his palms stung early too. Lovely bright start from both teams who obviously have earmarked this as a game they should be winning.
Crystal Palace lineup
Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Richards, Lerma, Schlupp; Olise, Edouard, Ayew
Bournemouth lineup
Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Sinisterra, Kluivert, Semenyo; Solanke
Focus on Crystal Palace, team news
Palace struggled in attack against West Ham but they did look better defensively as USMNT’s Chris Richards sat in and played really well in holding midfield.
OUT: Eberechi Eze (ankle), Dean Henderson (thigh), Cheick Doucoure (undisclosed), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh), Rob Holding (ankle)
Focus on Bournemouth, team news
The Cherries have clicked in attack with Antoine Semenyo, Ryan Christie and Dominic Solanke impressing against Villa, but they did struggle to control that game and defensively they have to make less mistakes.
OUT: Maximillian Aarons (hamstring), Tyler Adams (hamstring - out until February), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Lloyd Kelly (thigh), Emiliano Marcondes (ankle), Darren Randolph (illness), Alex Scott (knee)