Jordan Ayew and Eberechi Eze gave Crystal Palace a convincing 2-0 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on New Year’s Eve.
With new Bournemouth owner Bill Foley and minority shareholder Michael B Jordan watching on, the hosts produced a lacklustre performance but Palace thoroughly deserved the three points in difficult conditions on the south coast.
Ayew headed Palace in front on 19 minutes when he guided in a Michael Olise corner and the visitors firmly took control when another brilliantly worked Olise set-piece was finely converted by Eze from the edge of the box (36).
Bournemouth improved at the start of the second half but rarely threatened as Palace comfortably cruised to their first victory since November 6.
The result leaves Gary O’Neil’s side 15th in the table and just three points above the relegation zone after their sixth defeat in seven Premier League games. Palace bounce back from consecutive losses and are 11th in the Premier League table on 22 points.
How Palace brushed aside Bournemouth
New Bournemouth owners Foley and actor Jordan were introduced on the pitch before kick-off, but the sprinkle of Hollywood stardust did little to lift the Cherries.
Both sides paid tribute to Pele with a minute’s applause before the action was under way under a considerable downpour.
Palace had an early opportunity when the ball fell to Jeffrey Schlupp inside the area but his effort was directed well wide of the left-hand upright.
The visitors were unable to make anything of a handful of early set-pieces but took the lead after 19 minutes when Ayew rose highest to meet Olise’s corner and cushioned a header into the bottom right corner from the edge of the six-yard box.
Olise looked to set up another as he sent the ball across the face of goal from the right but he was ultimately unable to find a team-mate to tuck it past Mark Travers.
Palace then conceded a free-kick of their own, taken by Jaidon Anthony who floated it across the pitch to Kieffer Moore on the left. The Cherries striker directed a threatening header into the box, forcing Vicente Guaita into a leaping catch to avoid any danger of an equaliser.
Jordan Ayew put Crystal Palace 1-0 up in the 19th minute
The Eagles extended their lead after 36 minutes after Olise once again set up a team-mate from a perfectly-placed corner. This time it was Eze, who wasted no time in curling a right-footed effort into the bottom left corner from close to the penalty spot.
The rain eased after the restart, as did the home support, whose side looked more composed. Guaita somehow survived several Bournemouth attempts in a scramble before Travers blocked Eze’s sharp effort directly from a free-kick at the other end.
The hosts could ultimately only take consolation in the fact that the deficit was not wider after Schlupp picked out Jean-Philippe Mateta but the substitute directed his effort wide.
Guaita stopped Siriki Dembele’s strike before Wilfried Zaha skied a late effort and the visitors fended off four minutes of added time to seal the clean-sheet victory.
Eberechi Eze’s brilliant effort doubled Crystal Palace’s lead against Bournemouth
O’Neil: No excuses, I’m furious
Bournemouth head coach Gary O’Neil said: “I think it’s the first time since I’ve taken charge that we’ve fallen well below the standards that we’ve set. I’m very disappointed with nearly all aspects of today.
“I’m furious about the goals. If we defend the set-plays like we’ve worked on neither goal occurs. Defending set-plays has been a thing all season we’ve struggled with but they were avoidable today.
“We miss (Marcus) Tavernier, he’s been fantastic for us and had an incredible impact… of course we miss him. But I hate excuses. I’m not looking for excuses. I take full responsibility. It cannot look like that in the Premier League because it’s ruthless.”
New Bournemouth owner Bill Foley watched in person at the Vitality Stadium on New Year’s Eve
Vieira impressed by ‘disciplined’ Palace performance
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira said: “It was a really good team performance. I think we played really well. We were aggressive, we were disciplined and when we had possession we showed some quality. It was a really good performance.”
Asked if the win brought relief after the Boxing Day loss to Fulham, Vieira added: “It was relief from people that had doubt on us, on the team, on the players, but I always say I know my players really well, I know how well they can play.
“It’s important for me and it’s important for everyone at the club to trust the players. We have to understand who we are as a football club. What is difficult is when you have a young group of players who are new in the Premier League, there will be ups and downs.
“I didn’t believe we were the worst team after the game against Fulham and I still don’t think we have the best team after today. I invite everyone to be a bit more consistent in their emotions and to control their emotions.”
Fantasy Premier League stats
Opta stats: Palace beat Bournemouth again
- Crystal Palace have won each of the last four Premier League meetings with Bournemouth, with their four victories over the Cherries their joint-longest winning run against an opponent in the competition.
- Bournemouth have now lost six of their last seven Premier League games (W1), while today was their 100th defeat in the competition in what is their 207th game.
- Jordan Ayew has now netted his 15th Premier League goal for Crystal Palace and 30th in the competition overall, with five of his last seven goals coming in the first half, compared to just one of his first 23.
- Three of Eberechi Eze’s eight Premier League goals for Crystal Palace have come from outside the box, only Wilfried Zaha (4) has more for the Eagles since the start of 2020-21.
- Bournemouth conceded their 10th and 11th goals from a corner in the Premier League this season, more than any other side.
What’s next?
Bournemouth travel to Manchester United in the Premier League on January 3 at 8pm before hosting Burnley in the third round of the FA Cup four days later.
Gary O’Neil’s side then return to Premier League action on January 14 at 5.30pm when they make the trip to Brentford, live on Sky Sports.
Wednesday 4th January 7:30pm
Kick off 8:00pm
Up next for Crystal Palace is a Premier League home match against Tottenham on January 4 at 8pm, live on Sky Sports.
Palace then host Southampton in the FA Cup third round on January 7 at 12.30pm before travelling to Chelsea in the league the following weekend.