Here’s Howe to leave it late
EDDIE’S SUPER SUBS COME TO THE RESCUE TO PALACE’S FRUSTRATION
TWO beautiful goals but two precious points dropped — if Crystal Palace are to stay up they are going to do it the hard way.
Twice Roy Hodgson’s men took the lead here at the Vitality Stadium, first when Luka Milivojevic wrapped his right boot round a sumptuous 25-yard free-kick at the start of the second half.
And then again when Wilfried Zaha, who was brilliant and baby-like in equal measure, produced a delicious piece of skill and a finish to match.
But they were pegged back both times, with substitute Lys Mousset (below) striking two minutes after coming on and Joshua King, another Cherries sub, popping up at the far post with just a minute of normal time remaining.
If it’s late drama you want, Bournemouth are the team to watch.
That’s seven Premier League games in a row they have either scored or conceded in the 89th minute or later.
But Eddie Howe reckoned he could do without it and Roy Hodgson was of the same opinion.
“We’re disappointed,” said the Palace boss. “We’ve played very well and it’s frustrating, not just from my point of view but the team’s point of view as well that they couldn’t hold on to the lead on two occasions.
“We certainly created enough chances to put the game to bed but we didn’t take them and as a result you are always liable from a corner or a free-kick or something late in the game to concede and that’s what happened.
“If we can continue to play like that for the next five games we have to believe we can take enough points.
“But it’s going to be a dog-fight with all the teams down there and basically it can boil down to the fact that you score some lucky goals or survive some really hairy escapes.”
Palace ought to have been behind within a minute of kick-off but Callum Wilson fluffed his connection.
It was the first of four chances – some more difficult than others – that fell Wilson’s way in the first half but none were converted.
Dan Gosling had an early chance as well but failed to connect properly with a header while, at the other end, James Mcarthur’s drive was blocked by Nathan Ake. Bournemouth created the better opportunities in the first half but just a minute
into the second, Palace took the lead after Jermain Defoe fouled Yohan Cabaye and Milivojevic curled home a cracker.
Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey made two fine saves from Marc Pugh and Lewis Cook, and at the other end Patrick van Aanholt went through one on one with Asmir Begovic but the big keeper denied him.
Howe made two substitutions just after the hour-mark and, while both would score, it was Mousset who was first on the scoresheet, levelling from Ryan Fraser’s cut-back. Palace weren’t done, though, and soon they regained the lead thanks to a fine strike from Zaha.
Gosling felt Zaha had fouled him in the build-up – and the Palace man had a petulant afternoon, trying to get others booked – but what a goal it was.
And while his goal would have been a worthy winner, King had other ideas.
Howe said: “There’s never a dull moment. It’s not good for the health, edge-of-our-seat stuff.
“We’re indebted to our goalkeeper. We waited for that chance at the end and thankfully it came to Josh.”