Minute-by-Minute Review: Fulham 2 - 2 Palace

2'- Ince curls one wide left of the far post.
3'- Palace fans can be heard all around Craven Cottage.
7'- Low shot by Kacaniklic saved by Hennessey.
10'- Good moves by Yala, but fires wide left from in close. Gayle went down, but no penalty given.
12'- Chamakh booked for a hard challenge on Kacaniklic.
15'- Woodrow's shot blocked well by Delaney for a corner.
22'- Ince and Bolasie both have shots blocked near the box.
23'- Kacaniklic replaced by David, due to an injury.
26'- Sidwell's shot blocked off the line by Delaney; Richardson curls the rebound wide left.
27'- Possession is 71%-29% for Fulham. Gayle pass to Bolasie, whose shot is swept clear by Stockdale's legs.
28'- Ward shoots from 20 yards, and is tipped in by Gayle, who just stayed onside. His 7th of the season.
30'- Yala's shot straight at Stockdale.
40'- Richardson blasts the free kick over the bar.
42'- Header stripped by Stockdale off the head of Dann; great delivery by Ince.
43'- Sidwell fires wide off the volley from a Palace header.
45'- Amorebieta's header palmed away by Hennessey. Two added minutes.

49'- Zverotic replaced by Dejagah.
50'- Weak shot by Ward after a good overlap by Yala and Chamakh.
51'- Chamakh hits the side netting from a tight angle.
53'- Richardson's cross fumbled, then held by Hennessey.
54'- Header by Rodallega after a corner; goes across the face and nicks off the far post and out.
55'- David fires over on the volley. Fulham with a loud response early in this half.
58'- Amorebieta booked for a foul against Chamakh.
59'- KG replaces Jedinak, who took a knock earlier. Ward curls the free kick right at Sidwell.
60'- 69%-31% possession.
61'- Woodrow shakes off Ward, and fires it into the left side.
68'- Ward's shot deflected wide right for a corner.
71'- David goes down diving after claiming to be fouled in the box by Delaney. Puncheon in for Ince.
74'- Murray replaces Chamakh.
78'- 68%-32% possession.
79'- Tunnicliffe replaces Richardson.
81'- David's one-hopper held easily by Hennessey.
83'- Parker gets a yellow for taking out Murray.
84'- Gayle with a curling stunner into the lower right corner from 20 yards on a free kick.
88'- Dejagah can't flick the long ball past Hennessey.
90'- Murray strikes the bar off a break, pass from Punch, rebounds off Gayle's knee and wide. Three added minutes.
90'+1- Dejagah fires wide right.
90'+2- Woodrow's cross straight to Hennessey.
90'+4- What a strike from David! Off the bar and in from 25 yards.
90'+5- Gayle fires over with the last kick of the match.

FINAL: FULHAM 2 - 2 PALACE

My "Man of the Match":

(Getty Images)

Gayle. Two goals, including a stunning second, finishing with the most goals on the team (8).

Wow, what a season. 13 wins, 45 points, 11th place. Who could have imagined this? Pulis should be Manager of the Year. Unbelievable job.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Palace 3 - 3 Liverpool

5'- Ledley clears an attack by Suarez; a stray shot that rebounded to the penalty spot.
6'- Punch runs on and sprays a chip shot wide right.
8'- Sakho's free header off the corner is wide left.
9'- Punch's corner headed down by Dann at the back post; out for a corner.
15'- Johnson just heads over off a long, well-weighted cross.
17'- 70%-30% possession to Liverpool. Bolasie's tight-angled shot held by Mignolet.
18'- Sturridge's shot deflected wide left off Ward for a corner. Allen heads in from the back post with all the space in the world off the resulting corner.
25'- Allen booked for fouling Chamakh on a break.
27'- Suarez lofts one right to Jules.
30'- Mariappa booked for a deliberate handball.
31'- Suarez curls the 30-yard free kick just wide of the top right corner.
33'- Punch fires one low from 30 yards to the right corner, and Mignolet just gets a hand on it, forcing a corner.
35'- Mile blasts one, and Mignolet tips it over the bar.
36'- Punch heads one over off a decent cross.
37'- Suarez blasts one over after a nutmeg by Sterling.
42'- Jules saves a low, tight drive from Suarez.
45'- Two added minutes.
45'+1- Allen sprays one wide right inside the box.

50'- Suarez booked for dissent (or diving?).
51'- Ledley's drive muffed and held by Mignolet. Sturridge's curler off the hands of Jules and onto the post, Suarez's rebound blasted wide.
53'- Sturridge's shot takes a deflection off Ledley and goes in.
55'- Suarez scores one after a bad clearance by the defense. Sterling set up the goal.
57'- Sturridge curls one over the bar.
58'- Suarez curls it over.
63'- Skrtel booked for fouling Chamakh.
65'- Gayle replaces Puncheon.
67'- Johnson shoots straight at Speroni, who tips it over the bar. Dann booked for fouling Suarez.
71'- Murray in for Chamakh.
73'- Ledley's cross floats onto the roof of the net.
77'- Murray optimistically wide right with the shot.
78'- Coutinho replaces Sterling.
79'- Delaney shoots, deflects off Johnson and goes in. Could affect Liverpool's goal difference.
80'- Coutinho fires over the bar, but deflected out for a corner. 23-6 total shots for the visitors.
81'- Bolasie with a great move! Finds Gayle, who hits the lower corner of the net from 10 yards out. Game on!
85'- Ince in for KG.
86'- Moses replaces Sturridge.
88'- Gayle scores the equalizer! Oh, my word. Murray chested it down beautifully for Gayle, who fires it low. Nine minutes between all three goals. Unbelievable.
90'- Coutinho's shot is blocked away from Jules. Five added minutes.
90'+2- Gayle curls it wide right.
90'+4- Moses' close-range shot blocked by a mass of bodies. Heart in mouth.
90'+5- Ince's move and cross misses everybody.

FINAL: PALACE 3 - 3 LIVERPOOL

My "Man of the Match":

(Clive Rose)

 

Gayle. Two goals in 23 minutes after coming on as a sub.

Incredible result. Liverpool in serious trouble for their title challenge now. They lead by one point over City with the Manchester club having a game in hand.

Palace closes at already relegated Fulham on Sunday.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Palace 0 - 2 Manchester City

2'- Aguero miscues a long pass wide of goal.
4'- Dzeko heads in a Toure cross; slipped in between two defenders, clean in on goal, right down the center.
18'- Punch's low drive pulled weakly and held by Hart.
23'- Kompany's header just wide right off the corner.
24'- Delaney booked for a late foul on Dzeko.
33'- Zabaleta booked for fouling Chamakh.
43'- Toure scores a curler into the top left. Delaney stumbles and can't get it clear. Maneuvers around and places it well.
44'- Jerome nearly tipped the cross in to the far post, but was flagged offside anyway.
45'- Two added minutes.
45'+2- Aguero's shot takes a deflection and into Jules' hands.

(No second half notes for this game. I had a prior engagement, so had to listen to the second half on my satellite radio. No more goals, and few chances from Palace, so what can you say? Today is notable in that this match was the first I've missed any part of on TV this season. So, not a bad run, considering.)

FINAL: PALACE 0 - 2 MANCHESTER CITY

My "Man of the Match":

Going on web match reports here: Mile.

Two games to go: One that could affect the title race, and the other that could affect the relegation scrap. Liverpool at home on the 5th, Fulham at Craven Cottage on the 11th.

Minute-by-Minute Review: West Ham 0 - 1 Palace

8'- Carroll heads over the bar off a Nolan cross.
16'- KG's header off the cross bounced off Carroll on the endline.
17'- 69%-31% possession for West Ham.
18'- Bolasie's cross finds Dann, who heads it off Armero and over.
19'- Mariappa's strike off the corner is blocked by Nolan. Arguably off an arm in the box.
21'- Low, hard drive by KG straight at the keeper Adrian.
28'- Diame's hit tipped over by Jules from 25 yards.
32'- Arguable push-off by Mile on Carroll in the box. No penalty given.
36'- Diame's low shot saved by Jules' legs, then Carroll, moments later, has a point-blank header denied beautifully by Jules.
39'- Carroll's leaping header is wide right.
45'- One added minute. 67%-33% possession.

48'- Carroll tangled up in the box again. No penalty again.
50'- McCartney booked for tugging Bolasie.
51'- Carroll in space, with two defenders shadowing, pulls it wide right.
56'- Punch goes down, but his appeal for a penalty is denied. Carroll's shot at the other end is blocked by a sliding Delaney.
59'- Jerome is tripped up. Penalty to Palace! Kicked in the ankle with no support near him. Mile smashes the ball into the top left corner.
66'- Jerome's pass to Bolasie is good, but Yala flubs a shot into the air.
67'- Punch fires wide after a bit of pinballing action and deflected chances in the box.
68'- Another short corner almost works again. Mariappa claiming it came off West Ham, but to no avail.
70'- C. Cole replaces Jarvis.
73'- 66%-34% possession.
78'- J. Cole in for Downing.
81'- Tenth corner for Palace. Murray replaces Jerome.
84'- J. Cole fires inches wide to the right.
85'- Nocerino in for Nolan.
87'- J. Cole fires the half-volley well over. Gabbidon replaces Puncheon.
90'- Four added minutes. Bodies down in the box. No penalty given. Mile in the thick of it again.
90'+2- Parr replaces Bolasie.
90'+4- Murray booked for handling Adrian's attempted clearance from the box.

FINAL: WEST HAM 0 - 1 PALACE

My "Man of the Match":

Jules. Had a couple crucial saves to keep his 12th clean sheet of the season. Bolasie had another great game as well. And Mile picking up his first of the year was sweet, too.

Even sweeter? SAFETY! Five straight wins, 43 points, still 11th. But we are mathematically safe for the 2014/15 Premier League campaign. Look how far we've come. Top half is in sight (!)

A visit from Man City to Selhurst next Sunday.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Everton 2 - 3 Palace

(Rescheduled from February 12th.)

Pre-match- Nice tribute to the Hillsborough 96, as both teams and kids face the main stand and applaud the families in attendance.

2'- Barry's header off the corner is headed over.
11'- Through ball for Jerome is just too far; scooped by Howard.
13'- McGeady misses just over the top right corner.
16'- 71%-29% possession for Everton.
20'- Jerome heads over after good possession and passing movement, but flagged offside.
23'- Punch scores! Tight cross from Yala after a nice run, rebounds to Chamakh, who tees up Punch, putting it in from 15 yards.
31'- Mirallas' header falls easily to Jules.
34'- Mirallas fires just wide from an acute angle.
35'- Bolasie's long strike from 30 yards comes off the near post, rebound is wide from Jerome.
38'- McGeady curls it wide right and over from 20 yards.
40'- Lukaku's close, tight-angled shot is palmed away by Jules.
43'- Bolasie twirls and fires a rocket; just over from 20 yards.
44'- Delaney booked for fouling Mirallas late.
45'- One added minute.
45'+1- McGeady chips one onto the roof of the net after beating Mariappa. Inches away there.

Half- Naismith in for Deulofeu.

48'- Ledley's shot palmed away by Howard. Ward went down in the box moments before.
49'- Dann heads in off the corner from 10 yards out. Free header and into the roof off the bounce!
52'- McGeady fires inches wide from 25 yards.
56'- Lukaku heads the free kick over.
59'- McCarthy for McGeady. Osman for Barry.
61'- Naismith knocks it in after Mirallas crosses it, headed down by Baines, and tapped in by Naismith from two yards out. Jules down injured, but back up.
65'- Baines booked for knocking into Mariappa.
67'- Mirallas knocks it high over the bar off a deep cross.
68'- Parr in for the injured Mariappa.
70'- 66%-34% possession in the second half for Everton.
71'- Osman fires over after Jules gets a touch onto the bar, and over for a corner.
73'- Jerome curls it into the lower right corner after Punch dipsy-doos around the defenders. Great move.
76'- O'Keefe replaces Jerome.
80'- Murray in for Chamakh.
81'- Barkley shoots, but Jules kicks his leg out to deny it.
83'- Osman fires wide after a quick free kick. Blocked and rebounded wide.
86'- Mirallas puts it home from close range after he just stays onside. Speroni can't get to it quickly enough.
87'- Barkley well high and wide from distance.
90'- SIX added minutes!
90'+3- Punch booked for arguing.
90'+4- Deep cross just held on to by Jules.
90'+5- Mirallas miskicks in the box. No penalty and no reason to give one, really. Good tackle.

FINAL: EVERTON 2 - 3 PALACE

My "Man of the Match":

Bolasie. Gets better by the week. Great movement and set up the first goal brilliantly. Almost had one of his own that would have been a Goal of the Week contender, for sure.

Pinch me, I'm dreaming! 40 points with four to play! Four wins in a row! Surely we're safe now. Trip to West Ham in three days' time.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Palace 1 - 0 Aston Villa

(10:07 Eastern kickoff for remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.)

1'- Puncheon's cross goes straight to Guzan.
9'- Punch flicks the shot as it was going behind him from an acute angle. Not a bad effort, considering.
12'- 77%-23% possession for Villa.
19'- Chamakh on for KG. His 100th English appearance.
20'- Three corners for Villa in the space of a couple minutes.
21'- Jerome scrapes a clearance off the goal line from a corner, resulting in Clark's header.
33'- Punch finds Chamakh, but his soft header is into the ground.
34'- 67%-33% possession.
37'- Bolasie goes down after a beautifully executed free kick, as Mile feeds Punch, who flips it to Yala. Arguable penalty, but hard to tell.
39'- Mariappa crosses to Chamakh, but he heads it just wide. Bolasie was in the mix, too.
41'- Bolasie's header is straight at Guzan after good movement from Punch to keep it on the endline.
45'- Two added minutes.
45'+2- Delph's shot deflected and held easily by Jules.

49'- Agbonlahor's strike from 20 yards is straight at Speroni.
54'- Bolasie's step-over shot is saved, then Jerome's rebound is off the underside of the bar from point-blank range.
58'- Ledley slices the shot from the corner straight up in the air.
61'- Bolasie strikes one just wide of the far post from 25 yards. Curled it inches wide.
62'- Baker is booked for a late challenge on Punch just outside the box.
63'- Punch's curling free kick is palmed away by Guzan.
67'- Handball in the box originally given by Howard Webb, then overturned. Another unlucky break.
70'- Yellow to Bertrand against Punch.
74'- Punch skies it over from 30 yards.
75'- Murray replaces Jerome. Second half possession: 52%-48% for Villa.
76'- Punch hits it off the far post and in! Bolasie with a great cross, Punch settles, then strikes it low from 10 yards.
78'- Lowton fires low and wide right.
81'- Through ball for Holt, but he can't get a touch on it, and it rolls to Jules' waiting hands.
82'- Weimann in for El Ahmadi. Albrighton replaces Bertrand.
83'- Parr replaces Bolasie.
85'- Punch with a great run, and hits the outside of the post. Stayed onside and burst away.
87'- What a save by Jules! Cross headed down and flicked by Holt, but Jules got a hand on it.
89'- Ledley shoots wide right.
90'- Three added minutes.
90'+1- Frenzy in the area. Loose ball hacked away by Ward near the endline.

FINAL: PALACE 1 - 0 ASTON VILLA

My "Man of the Match":

Punch. Three goals in two games. Eagles up to 12th in the table, with 37 points. Survival is nearly there. Mid-week makeup game at Everton on Wednesday.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Cardiff 0 - 3 Palace

4'- KG fires wide after settling down the corner; a wide open chance.
11'- Possession favors Cardiff, 60%-40%.
14'- Puncheon's weak drive skitters to the goal and is easily held.
24'- Campbell's header from the cross has to be tipped away by Jules.
27'- Puncheon's low drive held by Marshall.
28'- Caulker flicks a lob to Campbell, but can't keep the ball from crossing the endline.
31'- Puncheon scores from a low drive after a great lead-up by Ledley. 15 yards out, low and in.
33'- 66%-34% possession.
35'- Jerome booked for a hard tackle on Mutch.
38'- Ward booked for kicking the ball away.
44'- Taylor fires over from 20 yards, but gets a deflection for a corner.
45'- Two added minutes.

51'- Ledley curls a shot wide left after a good burst by Puncheon.
53'- Mutch fires the free kick well over the bar.
59'- Possession now 69%-31%.
60'- Puncheon's low shot saved on the bounce by Marshall.
61'- Caulker heads over from the box.
62'- Noone replaces Zaha.
64'- Chamakh in for Bolasie.
66'- Jules can't reach the corner, pinballs around, Cardiff can't get a chance on goal.
67'- Caulker's soft header straight at Speroni.
68'- Turner gets a yellow for fouling Puncheon.
70'- Medel booked for fouling Jerome.
71'- Chamakh heads the free kick off the keeper, ricochet goes in past Marshall. Ledley got the last touch from two yards out.
72'- Bellamy in for Daehli.
74'- Mariappa booked for fouling Bellamy.
77'- 67%-33% possession.
78'- Ledley with a yellow. Cowie on for Jones. Parr in for Ledley.
82'- Campbell heads wide off a well-delivered corner. Murray replaces Jerome.
86'- Bellamy sails the long shot well wide.
88'- Punch curls it in from 20 yards to the top left corner. Through ball from Mariappa goes under Jerome's legs. Great strike!
90'- Campbell's tame effort held by Jules. Four added minutes.
90'+2- Taylor's rising header held by Jules.
90'+3- Punch has a great move in close, but his touch was a tad heavy.

FINAL: CARDIFF 0 - 3 PALACE

My "Man of the Match":

(Getty Images)

Punch. Two goals, including the sublime one for the Eagles' third. Palace up to 14th on 34 points with six to play. Villa comes to Selhurst next Saturday.