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.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Palace 1 - 0 Chelsea

10'- No real offensive threat from either side yet. Chelsea handling the possession domination.
12'- Torres' shot in the box off the throw is deflected off two defenders and out for a corner.
13'- Bolasie yellow card for upending David Luiz.
18'- Schurrle steers it just wide of the post, after a tight pass across the six.
20'- Puncheon booked after a late challenge on Azpilicueta. Torres gets in on goal; appeals for a penalty, none given.
24'- Foul throw on Chelsea. Seen a bunch of those this year. Not as rare as I once thought.
25'- Bolasie pulls a long drive wide left.
26'- Puncheon passes it to Bolasie across the six, settles, but drills one from near the endline into the side netting.
32'- Terry booked for a handball outside the box.
33'- Jedinak's free kick from 20 yards gets through the wall, but held on to by Cech.
39'- Jedinak's volley off the corner kick rebound is easily held by Cech.
40'- Torres' header off Lampard's free kick misses high.
41'- Puncheon's strike after a pinball in the box is fired high.
44'- David Luiz takes a 25 yard blast, misses high and wide.
45'- Two added minutes.
45'+2- Hazard's shot deflects high in the air into Jules' hands.

Half- Oscar in for David Luiz.

50'- Torres curls one wide left from the box. Jerome curls the header across the face after Bolasie made a nice cross.
52'- Own goal from Terry! Heads it behind for the OG. Ledley in a battle with him, but Terry got the last touch.

(Getty Images)

53'- Bolasie curls one wide right.
54'- Hazard's half-volley is well saved by Jules. Went to his left and kept it out.
55'- Torres' shot in close deflected wide of the post for a corner.
56'- Ivanovic goes high and wide with the blast. Salah replaces Lampard.
62'- Puncheon curls it just wide of the far post. Beautiful leave by Jerome.
63'- Oscar's free kick is headed just over the bar by Terry.
68'- Oscar's tight-angle shot held by Jules.
70'- O'Keefe replaces Bolasie. Ba in for Schurrle.
73'- Hazard saved by an amazing Speroni. Point-blank and thumped away.
74'- Jerome beats Cech right off the near post after a beautiful feed by Mile.
75'- Ledley hits a half-volley wide right.
77'- Dann booked for fouling Torres.
79'- Puncheon's low drive saved by Cech.
80'- O'Keefe curls one from 20 yards, forcing a tip by Cech for a corner.
82'- Ledley sprays one across the face after Jerome's feed.
84'- 12 corners to two for Chelsea.
88'- O'Keefe gives it away so easily. Torres nearly chipped it into an open net. Murray replaces Jerome.
90'- Chants of "Sit down, Mourinho!" from the fans. Yellow to Mariappa for time-wasting on the throw. Four added minutes.
90'+1- Parr replaces Puncheon.

FINAL: PALACE 1 - 0 CHELSEA

My "Man of the Match":

Jules. Outstanding between the pipes. Plenty of clutch saves today. Ninth clean sheet of the year.

What a result today! First league defeat of Chelsea since 1990. The table-toppers have their manager doubting their chances for the title. Palace up to 16th with 31 points after 31 played. Five points clear of the drop zone. Next match against 18th-placed Cardiff on Saturday.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Newcastle 1 - 0 Palace

1'- Tiote's shot takes a deflection from way out. Easy save for Jules.
3'- Tiote's free kick is off the wall and out for a goal kick.
8'- Puncheon's cross to Jerome near the 6 is headed wide.
12'- Cisse's drive inside the box is smacked away by Speroni; De Jong's rebound headed over.
15'- Possession is 70%-30%, favoring Newcastle.
18'- Give-and-go finds Sissoko, who can only muster a weak attempt at Speroni.
24'- Jerome goes 3-on-2, tries his own shot, which is blocked. Had Bolasie wide.
31'- 73%-27% possession now.
32'- Counter by Newcastle. Cisse hits the great chance, but palmed away by Speroni.
33'- Gouffran gets around the defense; low shot held by Jules.
40'- Bolasie curls a shot inches over the bar from just inside the box. Good passing movement from four players there.
45'- 72%-28% possession. Two added minutes.
45'+3- Dummett's free kick blazes over the bar for the last action of the half.

48'- Puncheon moves in at the edge of the box; slices the shot wide.
49'- Jerome shoots from 10 yards after great passing movement; deflected out for a corner.
54'- Puncheon passes to KG, but Krul gets a hand to the shot at the edge of the 6.
56'- Bolasie curls a rocket off the bar! Amazing movement from Yala.
59'- Ben Arfa replaces De Jong.
60'- Gouffran fires over, but takes a deflection for a corner.
62'- Tiote's tame shot gets tipped, but saved low by Jules.
64'- Cisse gets through, but Jules slides out to deny the chance.
67'- Bannan replaces Bolasie.
70'- Ben Arfa crosses off the endline to Cisse, who heads it over.
72'- Break by Newcastle, slide by Dann clears the danger.
75'- Gouffran shoots well wide to the right from distance. Murray in for Jerome.
76'- Ameobi in for Gouffran.
80'- Guedioura replaces Puncheon.
82'- Tiote way over with his shot.
85'- Delaney with a yellow.
87'- Marveaux replaces Sissoko.
88'- Ben Arfa pulls one wide.
89'- Still 73%-27% possession.
90'- Three added minutes.
90'+2- Tiote fires one from 30 yards off the bar. Rebound from Yanga-Mbiwa goes across the face of goal. Heart in mouth.
90'+4- Ben Arfa pass to Cisse inside the box. Heads it in. Unbelievable. Gutted.

FINAL: NEWCASTLE 1 - 0 PALACE

My "Man of the Match":

Yannick Bolasie. Had some great runs on the pitch, and nearly opened the scoring with a screamer that crashed against the bar. Jules made some great saves too, save for the 94th minute, which he really couldn't do much about.

What can you say? A point in our grasp, and it goes in the last minute. Unbelievably crushed. Luckily, we're still in 17th after the bottom three all lost big. Chelsea comes to Selhurst on Saturday.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Sunderland 0 - 0 Palace

2'- Free kick by Larsson held well by Speroni as it hung in the wind.
4'- Fletcher's header is wide, as the wind takes hold of it.
8'- Mariappa yellow card for persistent fouling.
9'- Alonso's strike right at Speroni from the box.
10'- Ki's cross after a turnover goes across the face.
13'- Ward booked for fouling Larsson.
14'- Ki fires well over from 30 yards.
15'- 74%-26% possession for Sunderland.
19'- Bridcutt booked for fouling Jedinak. Mile misfires wide from 30 yards off the free kick.
24'- 69%-31% possession. Johnson's chance sails high into the wind.
30'- Ki's half-volley is hammered wide right off the clearance of the free kick.
31'- Mannone stubs his foot on the clearance; Ince shoots the loose ball, but the keeper recovers quickly.
40'- Mayhem in the box, as Bardsley falls on the ball; Palace gets a free kick.
43'- Borini's overhead kick goes high and wide.
45'- Two added minutes.
45'+2- KG gets a yellow.

Half- Altidore replaces Fletcher.

46'- Header by Johnson flicked away by Jules, but offside is called.
51'- Speroni gets a piece of Altidore's close-range shot.
55'- Borini, falling over, hacks one high off a cross.
56'- Bolasie's low strike bounces and is held by Mannone.
57'- Larsson yellow card after taking down Ward.
58'- Delaney is booked after fouling Ki.
60'- Bolasie's cross to Murray is headed straight in the air.
61'- Gardner replaces Larsson. Delaney has some words with the fans and the linesman.
63'- Jerome in for Murray.
64'- Gardner booked after fouling Ledley.
73'- Possession is 68%-32%. Both sides struggling to hold on to the ball recently. Guedioura replaces Ince.
74'- Jerome's tame drive is easily held by Mannone.
75'- Jerome flicks on Ward's corner, but right at the keeper.
76'- Sunderland break to the other end; Borini's tight-angled shot stopped by Jules.
79'- Brown booked for fouling Mile.
80'- Guedioura fires the free kick wide right.
81'- Puncheon replaces Bolasie.
83'- Borini gets through and hits the woodwork. Second chance is just over the bar. Scocco replaces Johnson.
86'- Alonso sprays it high and wide after a pinball battle for the ball.
89'- KG curls one wide left from 10 yards after an initial shot was deflected back to him.
90'- Five added minutes.
90'+2- Puncheon's corner straight to Mannone's hands.
90'+3- Ledley shoots wide from the edge of the box.
90'+5- Puncheon's low drive held and pounced on by Mannone.

FINAL: SUNDERLAND 0 - 0 PALACE

My "Man of the Match":

Jules. Made a couple of key stops as he and the defense pick up a well-earned clean sheet.

12 points from the last nine games is the magic number. A visit to Newcastle next Saturday.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Palace 0 - 1 Southampton

1'- Rodriguez fires a half-volley well high.
3'- Murray stabs a looping shot over the bar.
11'- Possession favors the visitors, 68%-32%.
24'- A few too many giveaway passes from Palace.
27'- 72%-28% possession.
28'- Great sliding block on Rodriguez's shot by Delaney.
34'- Wanyama replaces the injured Cork.
37'- Puncheon turns it over with a mistimed header at midfield. Speroni comes out, slides, gets a foot to the ball, but Rodriguez stays with it and toe-pokes it into the gaping net.
38'- Puncheon crosses, but Bolasie fires the humming header wide.
44'- 68%-32% possession.
45'- Lambert's shot in the box off the far post. Three added minutes.
45'+1- Fonte booked.
45'+3- Bolasie's shot from the edge of the box, off the corner, is held well by Boruc.
45'+4- Shaw's shot from 20 yards, off the corner, is batted down by Speroni for the last action of the half.

47'- Looper by Puncheon after the corner is held by Boruc.
48'- Lovren is booked after Bolasie gets hauled down on a break.
49'- Jedinak blasts the free kick way over.
55'- Davis gets a yellow for fouling Ledley.
57'- Jedinak gets a yellow for fouling Schneiderlin.
58'- Lambert curls the free kick just over the bar.
66'- Yellow to Schneiderlin. Jerome is in for Dikgacoi. Ince replaces Puncheon.
69'- Possession is 67%-33%.
73'- Shaw's low, dipping shot from 25 yards is held by Jules.
75'- Gallagher is in for Lambert.
82'- Thomas replaces Bolasie.
87'- Thomas hits a deep cross to Jerome, who heads it straight at Boruc, but is flagged for offside.
88'- Clyne booked for a deliberate handball.
89'- Ward-Prowse replaces Davis.
90'- Four added minutes.
90'+2- Murray flicks the ball off the endline from a throw, but Boruc holds.

FINAL: PALACE 0 - 1 SOUTHAMPTON

My "Man of the Match":

Damien Delaney. A solid defensive showing, as has been the case most of the season.

Big six-pointer next Saturday at Sunderland.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Swansea City 1 - 1 Palace

5'- Possession dominated by Swansea early, but no chances yet.
7'- Bolasie's cross floats well wide of the target.
10'- Possession is 82%-18% for the hosts.
19'- Chamakh flicks a header off Delaney's free kick. Easy hold by Vorm.
22'- Hernandez fires wide right from the edge of the box. Canas replaces the aforementioned injured Hernandez.
25'- De Guzman scores after a flick on by Britton. Moved it well.
32'- Jerome replaces Chamakh. Hamstring problems; struggled off the pitch.
33'- De Guzman manages to get a foot on a long pass ahead, just in front of Speroni, who handles the loose ball.
35'- Jedinak gets a yellow for a high challenge on Britton.
36'- Great save by Speroni on a close shot by Bony. Flick on and a half-volley hit, leg-swiped away.
37'- Routledge curls one right to Speroni. Possession still 82%-18% for Swansea.
45'- Three added minutes.

Half- Murray replaces Ince.

48'- Jerome yellow card for fouling Flores.
55'- Bony's weak turning shot held easily by Jules.
62'- Dann gets a yellow, fouling a breaking De Guzman.
63'- Lita replaces Bony.
66'- Bolasie skids one across the face of goal.
69'- Amat replaces Williams.
70'- Thomas in for Parr.
74'- Britton yellow for a foul on Jerome/
76'- Jerome heads down a Bolasie cross to Murray, but the weak turnaround shot held by Vorm.
77'- Thomas' cross finds Jerome, but he heads straight at Vorm.
81'- Red card on Flores. Murray taken down after winning the ball from goalkeeper Vorm. Penalty awarded. Borderline, maybe just outside the box.
82'- Murray slots it into the top right corner! 1-1.

(Getty Images)

84'- Murray shoots from 15 yards, takes a deflection wide for a corner.
90'- Four added minutes.
90'+2- Thomas booked for simulation in the box, after a great chance to put a shot on goal.
90'+3- Bolasie turns at the edge of the box, fires just over the bar.
90'+4- Second half possession: 50-50.

FINAL: SWANSEA CITY 1 - 1 PALACE

My "Man of the Match":

Murray. Came on at the break and put in a good effort, scoring his first goal in what seems like ages.

Back home to Selhurst to face Southampton on Saturday.

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

2'- Jedinak's high, looping cross headed by Murray; deflected for a corner.
7'- Januzaj fires wide right from the edge of the box.
17'- Januzaj settles and slots it home, but it's disallowed for a handball in the box.
26'- Vidic heads over the bar from close range, after the corner gets rebounded and crossed by Rooney.
28'- Parr flicks header off the free kick, deflects off Smalling, and saved for a corner.
34'- Ince's cross from the edge of the box finds Chamakh, who misses a free header.
42'- Rooney's 25-yard curler is straight at Jules.
43'- Fellaini gets the loose ball inside 10 yards, and skews the shot wide left.
45'- One added minute.
45'+1- Rooney curls the free kick over the wall and wide left from outside the box.

46'- 72%-28% possession for United after 45 minutes.
48'- Two quick corners for Palace. Second one is curled by Ward, tipped over by De Gea.
49'- Ince hits the volley over the bar after a good spell in the United end.
50'- Puncheon toe-pokes one from the box; straight at De Gea.
58'- 51%-49% possession for Palace so far in the second half.
59'- Vidic gets a yellow for a foul on Murray. Murray's volley goes straight to De Gea.
61'- Chamakh fouls Evra just inside the box. Penalty given.
62'- Van Persie booms it high and to Speroni's left.
66'- Fellaini's low drive saved well by a diving Speroni. Jerome replaces Murray.
67'- Jerome's curler to the far post is tipped by De Gea.
69'- Rooney blasts one in after a cross from Evra; tipped off fingers of Speroni and into the top corner.
71'- Van Persie breaks in and rattles the bar from 8 yards out.
74'- Ince maneuvers and misses wide from a tight angle. Bolasie is in for Chamakh.
78'- Bolasie hums one low; just held on to by De Gea.
79'- Januzaj's low shot with little pace is held easily by Speroni.
80'- Valencia replaces Van Persie, Giggs for Januzaj.
85'- Gayle replaces Ince. Header by Ward off Bolasie's cross is held easily by De Gea.
88'- Fletcher replaces Fellaini.
90'- Four added minutes.
90'+1- Giggs gets a yellow for a foul on Ward. Dann heads wide off the resulting free kick.

FINAL: PALACE 0 - 2 MANCHESTER UNITED

My "Man of the Match":

Mile. Another solid performance.

Next up, a trip to Swansea on March 2nd.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Palace 3 - 1 West Brom

6'- Ince swings the free kick wide right.
7'- Anichebe latches on to the long pass, but pokes it right at Speroni.
9'- Corner headed towards the far post, but cleared off the line by Mulumbu.
14'- 39% to 61% possession. Puncheon's tight angle cross finds Bolasie, who heads straight at the keeper.
15'- Ince scores on his debut! Runs through after the ball was won off Bolasie, and chips it over into the corner of the net.
24'- Dawson fires high after the ball was set up on a tee after the corner.
27'- Ince swoops in a great corner to Ledley, who thumps the header in! 2-0!
29'- Mulumbu shanks it wide left.
31'- 33%-67% possession.
33'- Low free kick is off the wall and into Speroni.
39'- Jones gets a yellow for a tackle on Ince.
45'- Two added minutes.

Half- Sinclair in for Ridgewell, Thievy in for Gera.

46'- Thievy scores from a tight angle at the edge of the six.
47'- Clock/sub graphic malfunction.
53'- Score box corrected.
62'- Bolasie fires high after corner gets through all the way to the line and then cleared.
63'- Ince wins a loose high ball, but headed straight at Foster.
65'- Yacob booked. Morrison's rocket palmed away by Jules.
66'- Pinball to Mulumbu after the corner, hit into the ground, and pounced on by Speroni. Excellent goalkeeping.
68'- Chamakh on the break, bumped by Foster. Penalty awarded. No card to Foster.
69'- Chamakh strikes it low and to the right from the spot. Two-goal advantage restored!
71'- Berahino in for Yacob. Murray in for Puncheon. Welcome back. Great ovation for #17.
75'- Parr in for Bolasie.
77'- Berahino tight-angle shot is held by Speroni.
79'- Brunt yellow for a hard tackle on Ince.
81'- Morrison low shot trapped by Jules.
82'- Anichebe makes a great run, but miscues high. Thomas replaces Chamakh.
84'- Jones' weak drive found by Speroni.
86'- The wind playing havoc with the ball and the corner flag.
87'- 36-64% possession.
89'- Jedinak's screamer from 30 yards held well by Foster.
90'- Corner cleared down and off Berahino, whose reflex sends it wide right. Three added minutes.

FINAL: PALACE 3 - 1 WEST BROM

My "Man of the Match":

(Getty Images)

Tom Ince. Great first goal, and a great corner to set up the second. Excellent debut along with Ledley. Birthday match against Everton on Wednesday.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Arsenal 2 - 0 Palace

7'- Pass to Monreal, but Speroni comes out to deny a scoring opportunity off his legs.
11'- Cazorla sprays the free kick high.
13'- Chamakh makes a good move, but too heavy of a touch to get a shot away.
18'- Another turn by Chamakh, but again, too heavy of a pass for Puncheon.
23'- Wenger struggles to zip up his large puffy coat. So many snaps and zippers.
26'- Mile's bear-hugging Giroud in the box on the replay.
31'- 79%-21% possession for Arsenal, but little penetration of the Palace defense.
34'- Free kick towards the corner, through the wall, and tipped away by Jules.
36'- Ball through to Sagna, who slides together with Speroni. Both take a knock.
42'- Chamakh picks up a yellow.
43'- Mertesacker's header off a free kick is straight at Speroni.
45'- Two added minutes.
45'+1- Koscielny is wide right on an optimistic drive.

47'- Oxlade-Chamberlain chips one home after a pass from Cazorla.
51'- Jerome's header saved well after a headed pass from Bolasie. So, so close. Great run by Jerome.
54'- Podolski hits the side netting after a clinical passing display from his mates.
56'- Bannan in for Jerome.
59'- Cazorla's easy strike held by Speroni.
60'- Oxlade-Chamberlain curls one wide right.
62'- Delaney heads a looping cross wide right.
68'- Delaney booked. Questionable one. Got the ball and then his legs.
69'- Bannan fires wide left.
71'- Rosicky replaces Podolski.
73'- Oxlade-Chamberlain with a great move, fires one low to Speroni's left, off his hand and in.
75'- 646 to 229 passes, in favor of Arsenal.
81'- Ozil's shot deflected and saved by Speroni.
82'- Bolasie fires over from 30 yards. Gayle is in for Chamakh.
84'- Gibbs for Ozil, Bendtner for Giroud.
85'- Mile curls one high and wide left.
86'- Mertesacker booked.
90'- Three added minutes.
90'+2- Parr blasts one over the bar.

FINAL: ARSENAL 2 - 0 PALACE

My "Man of the Match":

Mile. Another solid performance in midfield.

Big six-pointer against West Brom on Saturday.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Palace 1 - 0 Hull City

(Note: Missed the first four minutes due to a signal glitch.)

7'- Jelavic nearly pokes it home after a decent cross.
9'- Mile rises to the Puncheon free kick, but heads it wide of the post.
13'- Davies' weak header off the corner is straight to Jules. 35%-65% possession.
14'- Gabbidon hauls down long. No penalty given. Might have gotten away with one. Tough to tell. Upon replay, looks like both players' feet were entangled.
16'- Puncheon scores! Bolasie crosses from the endline, the header from Punch is blocked, then he blasts the rebound into the top right corner.
22'- Delaney gets a yellow on Long. Retaliation for an earlier clash.
24'- Low drive from Mile; far and wide.
30'- Mariappa open at the edge of the box, but fires over the bar from 20 yards.
32'- 37%-63% possession.
39'- Mile's free kick is tipped over the bar by McGregor.
41'- Puncheon fires way off target. 36%-64% possession.
42'- Bolasie with a beautiful move, crosses, but Chamakh gets in the way of Punch's header.
45'- Two added minutes.
45'+2- Huddlestone's long free kick batted awkwardly away by Speroni.

48'- Rain falling much heavier this half.
49'- Jelavic's header is defended well, and held by Speroni.
50'- Livermore gains the ball inside the box, but it flies inches over the bar.
56'- Boyd in for Meyler.
57'- Possession steady at 36% to 64%.
59'- Boyd from 25 yards gets a shot on, parried away by Jules, and the rebound hits the side netting, but offside is called.
61'- Great defensive effort after sustained Hull pressure. Rosenior misses from three yards out to the outside of the post.
62'- Jelavic misses high from the left side.
63'- Chamakh booked for a challenge on Huddlestone.
64'- McCarthy in for Bolasie. Season debut. First league game since April 2012.
68'- Chamakh on the half-turn, fires straight at the keeper after a great set-up by Punch.
72'- Jelavic stretches for a touch, but pops it up to Jules.
74'- Questionable handball off the corner, as Mile battled for a header.
76'- Quinn in for Bruce.
81'- O'Keefe replaces Gabbidon.
82'- 38% to 62% possession.
83'- Yellow for Jerome after bumping goalkeeper McGregor.
84'- Long heads over after a deep cross. Fryatt is in for Jelavic.
86'- Wilbraham in for Chamakh.
90'- Five added minutes.
90'+1- O'Keefe booked. McGregor, the keeper, is sent off for arguing and kicking O'Keefe.
90'+5- A long Hull drive slips inches wide, a glance off a foot sends it the wrong way.

FINAL: PALACE 1 - 0 HULL CITY

My "Man of the Match":

(Action Images)

 

Puncheon. Another tally to decide the game. Defense played excellent again, too. Next match against the leaders, Arsenal, at the Emirates on Sunday.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Palace 1 - 0 Stoke City

Pre-match- Pulis with a nice hand for both sets of supporters.

5'- Bolasie's cross is headed wide by Ward.
7'- Gabbidon shanks a clearance over his own crossbar.
13'- Gabbidon optimistic from 30 yards...goes over the bar.
14'- Adam's free kick is headed down by Wilson, but Jules just gets there to tip it away.
23'- Pieters screws one inside-out and wide of the far post.
32'- Possession is 45% to 55%.
39'- Adam finds Walters, but a weak header is directed right at Speroni.
40'- Adam goes well high and wide from long range.
45'- Possession holding steady at 44% to 56%. One added minute.

46'- Adam at the edge of the box, and goes just inches wide of the far post.
51'- Puncheon wins the ball in the box, makes a good move, and slots it home low and to the left. Atones for that miss last week.
55'- Second half possession: 40%-60%.
57'- Ireland in for Whelan.
60'- Walters heads it across the face and wide.
63'- Adam fires with real pace, and again misses inches wide right.
66'- Ireland with an unorthodox high volley, but it was always rising above the goal.
68'- O'Keefe in for Guedioura.
72'- Arnautovic for Assaidi.
74'- Crouch curls one wide right.
79'- Guidetti in for Walters.
80'- Nzonzi fires high and wide from 25 yards.
82'- Arnautovic yellow card for fouling Mariappa.
83'- Nzonzi booked against Bolasie.
84'- Ward has a shot tipped away inside the box, Puncheon follows with a drive that's kicked out with the legs, and O'Keefe is denied with another leg save.
86'- Moxey for Bolasie, Wilbraham for Chamakh.
89'- Wilbraham tries a long curler that goes straight at Butland.
90'- Shot hits off Crouch and straight to Speroni. Four added minutes.
90'+3- Wilbraham on a break with Parr and Puncheon, but a weak, low drive goes wide.
90'+4- Puncheon receives a great pass from Jedinak, but a sweeping save denies him a goal.

FINAL: PALACE 1 - 0 STOKE CITY

My "Man of the Match":

Puncheon. Makes up for the penalty gaffe last week with a clutch strike this week. Palace moves from the bottom of the table to 16th. A 4th Round FA Cup tie against Wigan next Saturday, followed by the next league match at home to Hull on the 28th.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 0 Palace

1'- Jerome free on a break, but is a step offside.
2'- Puncheon curls one inches wide of the far post from the edge of the box.
5'- Bentaleb shoots from 25 yards, Speroni spills the rebound, but pounces on it just in time.
8'- Chamakh gets knocked by Dembele in the box. Penalty to Palace. Puncheon sprays the penalty way wide to the left. Awful penalty.
11'- Chamakh heads over off Puncheon's corner.
21'- A lot of time in the Spurs' end, but Palace can't get many quality opportunities.
26'- Parr's shot from 12 yards deflected away for a corner.
28'- Jerome inside the box takes a chance, the rebound spills out to a Spurs defender.
30'- Possession: 66% to 34% for Spurs.
31'- Lennon's cross into the six is hit well, but Adebayor can't get a diving header onto the ball.
32'- Puncheon's shot from the box is deflected into the side netting.
33'- The resulting corner sees Chamakh's tip knocked into Bolasie and cleared away.
34'- Bentaleb fires one from 30 yards off the post, across the face of goal, and out for a goal kick.
45'- Two added minutes.

48'- Eriksen's shot from 12 yards is deflected away for a corner. Naughton replaces Walker for Spurs.
50'- Chiriches fires well wide. Spurs are fired up early in this second half. Eriksen then booms one home from 12 yards out past Speroni. Adebayor's header sets up the goal.
55'- Delaney clears a cross over the crossbar for a corner.
57'- Defoe in for Soldado.
58'- Jerome fires into the side netting from a tight angle.
62'- Defoe sprays one wide; Adebayor was on the end of it, too.
64'- A shot deflects to Speroni, who gets bumped into for a foul.
68'- Williams replaces Bolasie, Gayle in for Jerome.
70'- Mariappa cautioned.
73'- Defoe slots one in after Parr slips, enabling Defoe to chip it in from six yards out. Arguably offside by a fraction.
76'- Chadli in for Eriksen.
77'- Jedinak picks up a yellow.
80'- Naughton with a yellow.
81'- Ward hits a wayward shot to the right.
82'- Guedioura comes in for Puncheon.
90'- Gayle heads one wide off a cross and deflected away for a corner. Jedinak is inches wide off another corner. Four added minutes to come.
90'+2- Guedioura hits an optimistic blast, and misses just inches wide from 35 yards away.
90'+4- Chamakh heads onto the roof of the net, after being tipped by Lloris. He misses another header high off the next corner.

FINAL: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 - 0 PALACE

My "Man of the Match":

Delaney. Decent defensive effort.

This EPL table is so tight now. Just six points separating 10th from 20th, which is where Palace falls to now with the defeat. Home against 12th-placed Stoke next Saturday.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Palace 1 - 1 Norwich

2'- The ball is slogging in the wet grass on any pass.
9'- Miscue by Puncheon off a nice Ward cross.
11'- Possession is 47% to 53%. Can we break 50?
12'- Jedinak curls the free kick just over the bar from 25 yards.
16'- Dikgacoi yellow card for holding on to Redmond.
17'- Bassong's header off a free kick straight at Speroni.
23'- KG hits one from the arc that swerves wide.
31'- Puncheon's pass to the far post looks for Jerome, but he can't get a good touch on it.
35'- Fer's low drive slows down in the bog and is easily held by Jules.
38'- 37% to 63% possession now.
39'- Johnson blasts one off the post and in after a decent spell of possession. Hooper passed it back, and Johnson let the curler go off the woodwork and in.
41'- Hoolahan and Chamakh both get yellows for a tussle. Cham arguably should've had a red after throwing him down by the chin.
42'- Jerome's header cleared off the line from a corner.
43'- Push in the box by Fer. Gets a yellow and a penalty to Palace.
44'- Puncheon slots the kick home to Ruddy's lower left side. Jedinak picks up a yellow.

(Getty Images)

45'- Two added minutes.

Half- Parr in for Dikgacoi.

46'- Bolasie's cross had to be tipped away by Ruddy for a corner.
50'- Hoolahan's effort kick-saved by Speroni from an acute angle.
53'- Jerome fires high after a corner was tipped down by Ruddy and passed off to Mariappa.
54'- Bennett is in for an injured Turner.
56'- Delaney's cross finds Bolasie, who sends a header straight to Ruddy.
58'- Puncheon's first drive is blocked, then the rebound is fired wide. 51% to 49% second half possession for Palace.
62'- Gayle in for Jerome.
68'- Hooper turns and fires a low drive; held by Speroni.
69'- Elmander replaces Hoolahan.
79'- Johnson's hit comes off Mariappa for a corner.
80'- Williams replaces Bolasie.
82'- Fer gets his second yellow and his sent off. Studs-up tackle on Jedinak.
85'- Martin in for Hooper.
86'- Possession stats: 45%-55% overall, 52%-48% in the second half.
90'- Four added minutes.
90'+1- Williams' cross can't find Puncheon's foot at the far post.

FINAL: PALACE 1 -1 NORWICH

My "Man of the Match":

Puncheon. Scored the penalty and set up some other decent scoring chances.

A tough result in tough conditions. Slipped down to the bottom three again. Bit of a break in league play before visiting Spurs on the 11th.