Bournemouth were comfortably the better side but the Cherries simply couldn’t break through and had to settle for just a point as they drew Crystal Palace 0-0 at Vitality Stadium on Boxing Day.
WATCH — Bournemouth v Crystal Palace full match replay
It’s the two points dropped that will live in manager Andoni Iraola’s mind tonight, as Bournemouth (29 points) slipped to 6th in the Premier League table and could be 5 points off the Champions League places by end of day tomorrow.
Crystal Palace (16th - 17 points) did have the ball in the back of the net once, but Ismaila Sarr was offside when Jean-Philippe Mateta played him in behind the defense. The Eagles are 5 points clear of the relegation zone as we are set to reach the halfway point of the season this weekend.
Things are about to get very real for Bournemouth
Are the Cherries genuine European contenders, or are they simply a great story about to run its course? We’re going to find out in January. Up next is Fulham (8th) and Everton (15th), followed by Chelsea (2nd), Newcastle (5th), Nottingham Forest (3rd) and Liverpool (1st). They have two games (plus the FA Cup, against West Brom) to get Evanilson firing again. He’s 7 games without a goal now, and though they went 4W-2D-1L in those 7 games, they looked a wayward side without his creative influence for the first hour until he came off the bench. The difference between good and great teams is always the striker. You either have one, or you don’t.
Player ratings - Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace
What’s next?
- Crystal Palace vs Southampton — Sunday, 10 am ET
- Fulham vs Bournemouth — Sunday, 10 am ET
Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace live updates - by Andy Edwards
Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace final score: 0-0
Goalscorers: None
OFFSIDE! Ismaila Sarr buries a chance, but the flag immediately goes up (27')
It was easily Crystal Palace’s best moment in the first half as Jean-Philippe Mateta plays Ismaila Sarr in behind and he puts the chance away with ease, but the assistant referee put his flag up as soon as it went in.
Bournemouth starting lineup
Arrizabalaga - Cook, Zabarnyi, Huijen, Kerkez - Christie, Aarons, Kluivert - Semenyo, Outtara, Unal
Crystal Palace starting lineup
Henderson - Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi - Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell - Sarr, Eze, Mateta
How to watch Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET Thursday (December 26)
Venue: Vitality Stadium — Bournemouth
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
Andoni Iraola’s side sit fifth in the table, three points off the top four, after their superb 3-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday. The Cherries are defying all expectations this season and Iraola’s high-pressing dangerous counter-attacking team are horrible to play against.
Crystal Palace were hammered 5-1 at home by Arsenal on Saturday but Oliver Glasner’s side have been in good form in recent weeks to drag themselves away from the relegation zone. But they’re still just four points above the drop zone heading into Boxing Day.
Bournemouth team news, focus
The Cherries are likely to go with the front four of Evanilson, Kluivert, Semenyo and Ouattara once again as they have a very settled lineup. They have picked up some big injuries in recent weeks but Huljsen and Ouattara have stepped in admirably for Senesi and Tavernier respectively. USMNT star Tyler Adams continues to go from strength to strength in Bournemouth’s midfield too.
OUT: Alex Scott (knee), Luis Sinisterra (hamstring), Julian Araujo (thigh), Marcos Senesi (thigh), Marcus Tavernier (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Adam Smith (knock)
Crystal Palace team news, focus
The Eagles are sweating on the fitness of star attacker Eze. Munoz is back from suspension which is a big boost at right wing-back. Palace will look to make it tough for Bournemouth to launch counters and then launch plenty of their own.
OUT: Adam Wharton (groin), Rob Holding (undisclosed), Matheus Franca (groin) | QUESTIONABLE: Eberechi Eze (foot), Chadi Riad (fitness)
Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace prediction
This will be a game all about controlling the transitions and Bournemouth are in slightly better form and their press is incredible. They’ll just edge it. Bournemouth 2-1 Crystal Palace.
