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

(Missed first 100 seconds of the match due to a DirecTV transmission delay. I don't think I missed much, did I?)

3'- Good to see Ward back in the squad.
4'- Ollie back on the touchline...where he should be.
6'- Header by Southampton. Goalline clearance by Ward.
11'- 71% to 29% possession for the hosts early.
12'- Handball after a deflected shot caroms back. Free kick for Southampton.
13'- Chamakh retying his shoes.
14'- Chamakh passes to Kebe on the edge of the box. Then Bannan has his shot blocked.
17'- S. Davis gets a yellow for tugging Kebe.
23'- Lambert fires over the bar from 15 yards.
25'- Handball by Jedinak.
26'- Lambert's free kick from 20 yards is parried by Speroni.
28'- I dig Ollie's shirt and vest combo. Chamakh gets a yellow for simulation in the box.
31'- You can hear Ollie screaming "Tighter!"
38'- Ward's shot blocked away for a corner.
40'- Good defending by Ward on a break towards goal.
43'- 68% to 32% possession. Still not holding on to the ball.
45'- Wanyama fires wide right from way back. 1 minute added.

47'- Osvaldo at the edge of the box, fakes out Dikgacoi, and slots it home past the right side of Speroni. 1-0.
49'- Lambert's free kick from 25 yards clangs off the near post and in. Falling apart. Two goals in four minutes.
53'- Lambert's volley from the edge of the box goes wide.
55'- Palace fans getting louder even after going two down. S. Davis fires over from inside the box.
57'- Jerome enters for Bannan. Thomas for Gayle.
60'- S. Davis' turn deflected away by Gabbidon for a corner.
67'- Ward-Prowse in for S. Davis.
68'- Mariappa picks up a yellow.
72'- Handball by Jerome. Phillips in for Kebe.
77'- Moxey fires well over the bar from long range. Rodriguez relieves Lambert.
84'- Moxey's shot blocked from the edge of the box, comes to Chamakh, but he's whistled offside.
86'- A shot curls in off the post, poked in by Southampton, but whistled offside. Ramirez replaces Lallana.
89'- The Palace faithful are still in full voice. Ward-Prowse fires over.
90'- Five added minutes.
90'+2- Moxey to Jerome inside the box. Miscues over the bar.

FINAL: SOUTHAMPTON 2 - 0 PALACE

My "Man of the Match":

#2 Joel Ward (Neil Everitt)

Solid defensive work by Ward, including a goal-line clearance early in the match. Palace goalless and winless in their last three league matches. It won't be much easier at Anfield next week.

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

Pre-match- Nice hand for club president Peter Morley, who passed away a few days ago.

2'- Michu on the break, inside the box, off Speroni and in. 1-0 already.
3'- Too many nerves and giveaways early on for Palace.
4'- Nearly another goal by Swansea. Flores off the post. Three quick corners in succession.
7'- "[Palace] very jittery at the back." Agreed.
11'- Delaney unhappy after a clean tackle gets called for a free kick against Palace. Ollie in the stands again. Second game of the two-match ban.
15'- First decent buildup of the half for Palace. Cross goes across the face of goal.
21'- Puncheon's 20-yard free kick smacks into the wall. Mariappa sprays a rebound over.
25'- Michu tries a flick inside the six; should've shot it. Would've been a sure goal for Swansea.
28'- Moxey gets a yellow for a late challenge.
30'- Michu flies a one-touch shot just over the bar.
31'- Michu heads one over off a corner.
36'- Little tap-off free kick goes to Guedioura, who spins, but fires right at the keeper.
38'- Volley shot by Rangel curled towards the left post, but beautifully stopped by Speroni.
40'- Mariappa whips a cross in, but Chamakh couldn't get on it inside the six.
45'- One minute of added time.

48'- Vazquez's shot saved from a tight angle. The pass then finds Dyer, who slams home the rebound. 2-0.
50'- Rangel and Chamakh pick up yellow cards.
54'- Davies' power shot almost knocks Speroni off his feet.
56'- Vazquez blasts one over after the ball come back off Gabbidon.
60'- De Guzman in for Vazquez.
61'- Puncheon sprays it wide right.
63'- Puncheon pokes it from outside the box, and away for a corner.
67'- Thomas in for Bannan. Gayle in for Jerome.
71'- Pozuelo in for Dyer. Thomas feeds Gayle, and it deflects wide for a corner.
72'- There's still good vocal support for Palace, despite the deficit.
73'- Chico gets a yellow card.
76'- Shelvey curls one over.
78'- Britton for Canas.
79'- Sloppy giveaway by Speroni. No damage done.
80'- Scuffed shot by Guedioura, harmlessly to the keeper. A long ball finds Michu, who can't lob it over Speroni.
84'- Guedioura looped over to Chamakh. Hits one in the ground to the keeper. Offside was whistled anyway.
87'- Pozuelo shoots straight at Speroni. Michu leaves the ball behind right in front of Speroni.
90'- Five minutes of added time.
90'+2- Gayle to Campana, but he fires over the bar.

FINAL: PALACE 0 - 2 SWANSEA CITY

My "Man of the Match":

#1: Julian Speroni (Neil Everitt)

 

If not for Jules, it could have easily been a three- or four-goal deficit. Difficult game at Southampton next weekend.

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

2'- First corner to United.
3'- Speroni shrugs away a bullet from Carrick.
6'- Ollie upstairs in the seats, sneaking directions through his cell phone earpiece.
8'- "Eagles!" chants coming through loud and clear.
9'- Mile almost gives away a penalty against Evra, but thankfully, not given.
10'- Bad giveaway to Rooney is snuffed out. Corner conceded.
16'- Commentary about Fellaini: "I wonder if there's a clause in his contract that says he has to keep that hairstyle?" "You know what happened to Samson after he cut his hair..."
19'- Young booked for diving. Accurate call. Led with his leg and went to ground.
22'- Couple more corners for United.
24'- Good leap by Speroni. Great at taking charge, as always.
28'- Build-ups are rare for Palace at the moment.
29'- Rooney with a long-distance shot. Speroni unfazed.
32'- More shots of Ollie on the phone. "The chairman might not be happy with his phone bill."
36'- Van Persie backheels an Evra pass just to the outside of the net.
39'- RVP rattles the bar after a long Rooney feed.
40'- Gayle's shot/cross sprays across the face of goal.
41'- Rooney can't connect on a leaping header off of a Young cross.
42'- Gayle gets around Ferdinand, but misses the far corner after a sweet cross by Mile.
44'- The Palace fans erupt again from the stands. But, Dikgacoi is sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Questionable again. Looked just outside the box.
45'+1- Van Persie's penalty goes low and right of Speroni. 1-0.
45'+2- Yellow for Moxey.

49'- Speroni saves Young's drive with powerful hands.
52'- Gayle fires low and well wide from distance.
55'- Chamakh with a yellow. Young then curls one wide of the far post.
59'- Guedioura for Campana.
61'- Evra finds RVP. Skied over the bar.
62'- Fellaini for Anderson. Here comes the hair.
64'- Jerome for Gayle.
67'- Januzaj for Young.
68'- Fellaini's drive palmed away by Speroni.
69'- RVP shoots over off of a corner kick from the edge of the box.
74'- Scramble in the box, pinballed around, but nothing gets on goal from United.
75'- Another debutante. Kebe for Chamakh.
76'- RVP sharp angle shot blocked by Speroni.
79'- Hernandez for RVP.
81'- Rooney's free kick from 20 yards curled low and to the right.
83'- Januzaj moves in and miscues it well wide.
86'- Rooney goes for the "sand wedge" and sends it wide.
87'- "We're Crystal Palace, we stay 'til the end..."
89'- Rooney to Hernandez. Low drive stopped by Speroni.
90'- Four added minutes.
90'+2- "One of the longest monologues in sporting history continues", as Ollie is again pictured on the phone. Palace gets their first corner of the match. Puncheon to Delaney. Sailed over.
90'+4- Jedinak and Gabbidon clear the last cross away.

FINAL: MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 0 PALACE

My "Man of the Match":

Gayle again. Created the bulk of the scoring opportunities on a day when Palace didn't have a lot to show for offensively. Winnable game against Swansea at home on Sunday.

Minute-by-Minute Review: Palace 3 - 1 Sunderland

6'- Pretty slow start to this one.
8'- Campana has the first shot for either side. Low and easy save.
9'- Corner kick swooped in and deflected into the net! Dikgacoi claims it, but Gabbidon's credited with the last touch. 1-0 Palace!
11'- Good block off a dangerous shot from the edge.
15'- Weird 30-45 second run of technical difficulties from the international feed. Replays run in reverse, both manager's reactions are shown in fast frame. Weird.
18'- Good through ball to Gayle, but just a bit too heavy.
21'- Sunderland cross is dangerous, headed away by Ward. Their forward pulled out; would've been a sitter.
26'- Puncheon makes a good move with space. Curled wide of the right post.
30'- Gabbidon defending well again.
31'- Cross by Giaccherini cleared well by Gabbi.
33'- Chamakh drops to Dikgacoi, but fires well over the bar.
35'- Puncheon looks for the far post after Chamakh leaves it, but hits it wide.
37'- Gayle's deflection shot saved easy after a beautiful passing run.
38'- Di Canio frustrated and lost in thought.
40'- Campana's free kick headed away for a corner.
42'- Jedinak gets a breakaway and streaks in, but the curler just misses the top corner.
44'- Sunderland's shot deflects off of Gabbi's elbow and away.
45'- One added minute.

Half- Decent first half. Let's hold the lead this time, please.

(NBC coverage interrupted at halftime for Obama's remarks regarding Syria. Thank goodness for the NBC Sports Live Extra internet stream.)
46'- Speroni punches away a free kick.
(NBC coverage returns in the 48th minute.)
52'- Ball deflected away for a Palace corner, but no damage can be done.
54'- Williams in for Campana. Danger near the box is avoided by the defense.
56'- Jedinak running with acres of space, curls one wide right.
57'- Gayle's shot deflected away for a corner.
58'- Sunderland is pressured, Gayle had space to break, but it's hacked away for a corner.
61'- Puncheon gets free, sprays a shot wide left.
63'- Arlo White: "A wonderful din being created here at Selhurst Park." Ollie is shown running up the stairs and out onto the concourse. He's back in a flash.
(NBC cuts away to Obama press conference again.)
64'- Fletcher heads home off a cross past a diving Speroni. 1-1.
67'- Optimistic volley from Moxey goes well high and wide.
70'- Puncheon's move and pass into the box knocked clear.
71'- Pass back to Williams on a break, mishit left.
75'- Long clear from Speroni falls to Sunderland, and hacked away by Gabbi at the last moment to avoid a certain blunder.
(NBC returns to coverage -- again -- in the 77th.)
78'- Gayle taken down in the box. Clear penalty. O'Shea gets a red.
79'- Gayle slots it home from the spot! Underneath the keeper. 2-1 Palace.

Gayle wheels away from the spot after scoring Palace's second goal. (Getty Images)

83'- O'Keefe for Chamakh, and Wilbraham replaces Gayle.
84'- Puncheon leaves for Williams inside the box, well palmed away by the keeper.
85'- Another low drive by Williams, saved low.
86'- Gabbi misplayed a header near the edge of the box, almost costs Palace again.
89'- Dikgacoi's long drive, with pace, has to be tipped over the bar.
90'- Four additional minutes to go.
90'+2- O'Keefe seals it! Gets it from Puncheon at the edge of the box, curled into the top left corner. Great strike. Ollie dancing on the touchline.

FINAL: PALACE 3 - 1 SUNDERLAND

After another second half scare after the visitors tied it up, the Eagles took control in the second half, including the goal of the game by O'Keefe to seal the deal. First win in the books! A week's rest before heading to Old Trafford against Man Utd in the early kickoff on the 14th.

My "Man of the Match":

#16: Dwight Gayle (Getty Images)

Minute-by-Minute Review: Stoke City 2 - 1 Palace

Pre-match- Campana and Puncheon making their debuts. Good choice to shake things up a little.

2'- "Eagles" chants coming through loud and clear at the Britannia...
3'- Palace pressing early.
5'- First glimpse by Stoke. Header lightly to Speroni.
6'- Straight shot held by Speroni.
7'- Interception by Palace. Deflected cross couldn't find anyone.
8'- Another cross grabbed by Speroni. And are Mile and Chamakh missing the sponsor's patch on their jerseys?
12'- Three straight corners conceded. No damage done.
14'- Giving away possession far too cheaply here.
16'- First real attempt for Palace. Low shot from Gayle off the break. Little power, though.
18'- Ward's shout for a penalty denied after he gets shoved in the back.
19'- Ollie frustrated again.
21'- Crouch's header off of a cross just goes over. Phew.
24'- Campana's free kick finds Jedinak, but he can only float a header into the waiting arms of the keeper.
28'- Crouch and Jedinak clashed heads accidentally. Crouch down.
31'- CHAMAKH! Looping ball was settled down nicely, and beautifully slotted home! Off and running! 1-0 Palace!

Chamakh gets Palace's first goal of the season. (Getty Images)

 

33'- Almost an immediate response from Stoke. Header deflected off the bar.

35'- Moxey's drive just wide of the far post.

37'- Yellow to Shawcross for Stoke.

38'- Campana's free kick swung just over the bar from the left side.

42'- Adam's free kick straight to Speroni.

45'- Two added minutes.

45'+1- A "foul throw" against Stoke. Don't see that often. Reminds me of my clinic days, where there would be about five of those a game.

Half- Fans appreciative of the effort, and Ollie acknowledges them. No changes to either side.

47'- Corner for Stoke. Crouch's header thankfully is mishit in the air.

49'- Stoke's up for this second half. Early dominance in possession.

52'- Corner to Stoke. Nzonzi fires wide right.

53'- Walters on the break for Stoke. Fired over.

58'- Charlie Adam gets the loose ball in the box. Low and to the right of Speroni. 1-1.

61'- Adam again, from 20 yards this time. Straight at Speroni. Stoke ramping up the pressure.

62'- Defense can't clear the ball out. Loose header then falls to Shawcross for a sitter. Sloppy. 2-1 Stoke.

63'- Garvan and Williams replace Campana and Chamakh for the Eagles.

65'- Puncheon on the right side of the box. Almost squeezed the ball through off the hand of Begovic.

69'- Phillips up again on the bench for the second straight match.

75'- Nzonzi hits a curler from 20 yards that luckily nails the far post.

76'- Phillips comes in for Puncheon.

77'- A deflection falls to Phillips, but he fires wide left from 25 yards.

79'- Another shot of Ollie on the sidelines. Unhappy. Garvan's optimistic blast goes well high and wide.

80'- Dikgacoi crosses to Gayle, who one-times one across the face of goal.

84'- Dangerous position for this Palace free kick, right at the edge of the 18. Mile thumps it straight into the wall.

85'- Weird clearance by Speroni there. Shanked it miserably.

88'- A looping free kick is flung high and straight to a waiting Begovic.

90'- Four additional minutes.

90'+1- Gayle fires well over the bar from a Williams feed.

FINAL: STOKE CITY 2 - 1 PALACE

A good showing in the first half gave way to sloppy defending in the second, and a lack of scoring opportunities cost the Eagles in the end. Back home against Sunderland next week.

My "Man of the Match":

#2: Joel Ward (Neil Everitt)

Minute-by-Minute Review: Palace 0 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur

During each Palace match (when I'm able), I'll jot down some minute-by-minute thoughts during the match and relay them to this space after the match. They could be on the game itself, the match commentary, random musings, etc. I'll also pick a Palace "Man of the Match" as well. Hope you enjoy.

5'- Too much time in our own end. First cross right into the hands of goalkeeper Lloris.
9'- Good defensive work by the captain, Mile. Still need more possession.
11'- Ollie animated as always.

Ian Holloway strikes the "Hi-ya" pose. (Getty Images)

12'- First real sustained attack. No one home for a cross.

13'- Commentator notes that CPFC is the "earthy" London club. (Note: The States airs simulcasts on the NBC family of networks, with the international match commentators, but on certain matches, will use their team of Arlo White and Lee Dixon.) Meanwhile, Dembele's strike just skims over. Heart in throat.

15'- A good omen: NBC graphic shows Palace's last meeting against Spurs was a 3-0 win on January 22, 2005.

16'- The early nerves are still showing.

17'- Ward turns his ankle. Magic spray comes out.

20'- Closed-captioning hilarity: Who's Mr. "Van Sinkle"? Turns out it's Arsene Wenger.

22'- The "We love you..." chant is going at full force!

24'- Good challenge by Moxey, saving another cross by Aaron Lennon.

27'- Garvan swings a beautiful cross to Wilbraham, but heads straight at the keeper.

28'- Moxey playing great D right now. And more Ollie animation.

29'- 65% to 35% possession for Spurs right now.

35'- Passing's abysmal at times. Great save by Speroni on Sigurdsson, tipping it over.

37'- Passing accuracy graphic: 64% to 86% for Spurs. Story of the match so far.

40'- Another dangerous chance. Speroni falls on the rebound.

42'- Commentary on the contrast in managers: AVB "looks like he's going out to dinner."

45'- 3 minutes of stoppage time.

45'+3- Spurs header flies over for the last touch of the half. Relieved to still be level after 45 minutes.

47'- First chance of the second half: Moxey straight into Lloris.

49'- Unlucky handball off a sliding Moxey. Penalty.

50'- Soldado loops the spot-kick in past Speroni. 1-0 Spurs.

56'- Couple corners in a row for Palace.

57'- Decent spell of possession.

61'- Commentary after a Tottenham chance goes well awry: "That's done more damage to the supermarket behind than anything else."

65'- Gayle skies one just over the bar from 20 yards.

66'- Triple substitution as Williams, Chamakh, and Phillips relieve Dobbie, Garvan, and Wilbraham. Liking Ollie's style here.

69'- Dodged a bullet there. Sigurdsson sprays one wide left in the clear. 13-2 shot advantage for the visitors.

70'- Good movement by Chamakh, trying to find Gayle. Seconds later, they almost get through on goal, as Lloris was out of position.

73'- Palace supporters are in full voice at Selhurst. Awesome noise.

77'- Moxey again saving with a slide on Soldado's cross.

80'- Shots are 16-2 now.

83'- Phillips goes for the glory from 25 yards, but pulls the shot wide.

85'- Off a corner, Delaney's tight angle shot is saved.

88'- Defoe almost seals it for Spurs. Another break. And they're just now using the "Offside" graphic? Come on, NBC.

89'- Ollie still fired up.

90'- Gayle to Phillips to Dikgacoi. Shot saved from 15 yards. Rebound by Dikgacoi is saved. Three minutes of stoppage to go.

90'+1- Almost misplayed by Spurs, but Lloris leaps to grab the backwards header.

 

FINAL: PALACE 0 - 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Proud of the effort by Palace. An unlucky penalty was all that stood between them and a well-deserved point.

My "Man of the Match":

#15: Mile Jedinak (Getty Images)

Some predictions for 2013/14 as a whole, as well as the season opener.

(Note: I wouldn't wager extreme amounts of money on these.) ;-)

Final 2013/14 Premier League Table:
1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United
3. Arsenal
4. Manchester City
5. Tottenham Hotspur
6. Liverpool
7. Everton
8. Fulham
9. Sunderland
10. Aston Villa
11. Newcastle
12. Stoke City
13. Swansea City
14. Norwich City
15. West Ham United
16. Crystal Palace
17. Southampton
18. West Bromwich Albion
19. Hull City
20. Cardiff City

As for the Palace opener against Spurs on Sunday, I'm picking a 0-1 scoreline at halftime, with Palace evening things up after the interval with a goal from newcomer Jose Campana (if in the starting XI), then dropping a heartbreaking 1-2 decision with minutes to spare.

(Hey, I never said it was going to all lollipops and roses...)