Crystal Palace rounded off their Premier League season with a well-earned 1-0 win over Swansea City at Selhurst Park.
The first half lacked any real clear-cut chances, with Yannick Bolasie and Jack Cork coming closest to making a breakthrough for their respective sides.
Marouane Chamakh's close-range finish shortly before the hour mark proved to be the difference in the end, as the Swans failed to truly trouble their opponents to fall to a disappointing final-day defeat.
Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of the 90 minutes of action below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Crystal Palace and Swansea City.
There is real cause for celebration in South London this afternoon as both sides round off seasons to remember. There may be little at stake in terms of European qualification or relegation, but the lack of pressure should hopefully provide us with an entertaining game of football.
Kickoff at Selhurst Park is now less than an hour away, so let's get straight into things by taking a look at some team news...
TEAM NEWS!
CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Hangeland, Souare; Zaha, Jedinak, McArthur, Bolasie; Puncheon; Chamakh
SWANSEA CITY XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Bartley, Richards; Britton, Cork; Dyer, Montero, Emnes; Gomis
Let's start by taking a look at the home side, who have opted to keep faith with Lukasz Fabianski in goals for the trip to South London. Many expected back-up stopper Gerhard Tremmel to be handed a start in what is likely to be his final afternoon as a Swans player, but there is to be no farewell for the German.
Interestingly, Garry Monk has also opted to leave out Wales international duo Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor, the latter of whom has been linked with a move to Aston Villa in the past few months. That means Kyle Naughton returns from injury to fill in at full-back, while Kyle Bartley is handed a starting berth in central defence.
Further forward, Bafetimbi Gomis will be seeking a sixth goal in seven games when he runs out at Selhurst Park, alongside further attacking threat in Marvin Emnes, Jefferson Montero and Nathan Dyer. So four changes in all for Swansea, then, as Leon Britton is handed the captain's armband in place of the absent Williams.
In terms of the home side, Alan Pardew has decided to make three changes to his side following on from that impressive victory over Liverpool last weekend. Wilfried Zaha, Miles Jedinak and Brede Hangeland are all welcomed into the starting lineup.
Joe Ledley, Chung-yong Lee and Martin Kelly are the three men to make way for the visit of Swansea. Pardew used the 3-1 win at Anfield to experiment with things a little, and the same can be expected at Selhurst Park this afternoon.
BENCH WATCH!
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Speroni, Delaney, Kelly, Mutch, Lee, Murray, Campbell
SWANSEA CITY SUBS: Tremmel, Rangel, Grimes, Fulton, Hanley, Gorre, Barrow
Palace have two former Cardiff City players to call upon from the bench this afternoon in Jordon Mutch and Fraizer Campbell, although another ex-Bluebird in Joe Ledley is left out altogether. Julian Speroni has a testimonial match to look forward to in the week, with a substitute appearance always likely to be the case this afternoon.
You get the impression that Wales boss Chris Coleman has had a little word with both managers in the week, because as well as Ledley being absent for the home side, Williams and Taylor also drop out of the matchday squad for the Swans. That means fringe-players Fulton, Hanley and Gorre - two of whom were part of the club's U21 Development League 2 success - have been promoted to the bench.
The setting for today's final Premier League game of the season between Crystal Palace and Swansea City:
Well both sides have plenty to be happy about right now, so it comes as little surprise to see both managers leave out certain key men. The fortunes of both sides have gone under the radar in the grand scheme of things, with neither realistically in with a chance of qualifying for Europe or in danger of facing the drop in recent months.
Relegation was a real possibility for Palace at one stage, though, and it was not until Pardew took over at the turn of the year that their fortunes finally began to turn. The former Newcastle United boss has won nine of his 17 games in charge to guide Palace up to the lofty heights of 12th place in the league table. Contrast that to the fortunes of the team he left in December, and you get the impression that Pardew has a lot to be happy about at this moment in time.
To put that into some context, Neil Warnock won three out of 16 games when put in charge. Warnock's job was always going to be tough, of course, having been thrown into the deep end in many ways when Tony Pulis departed right on the eve of the new campaign. As things stand, however, the Eagles can still claim a top-half finish this afternoon, which would be a truly incredible turnaround in the space of just four months.
It is not just the results, either, but more the all-round performances Palace have been producing. Anyone who saw them at Anfield last weekend would have witnessed first hand their attacking drive, with the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon each playing with smiles etched firmly across their faces.
Palace have kept just six clean sheets all season, though, failing to earn a single shutout in any game since back in February. That is a joint-low tally in the division, which suggests that the backline certainly needs strengthening over the summer, as well as one or two tweaks further forward if they are to push on and maintain a mid-table finish.
For Garry Monk, read Alan Pardew. Both men must surely have been strongly considered for the Manager of the Year accolade, which eventually went the way of Jose Mourinho. There was a stage last season when Swansea looked as though they could have faced the drop had they lost two games on the bounce, but since then Monk has come in and steadied the ship - and then some!
Similar to the situation at Palace with Pardew blowing Warnock out the water in terms of points gained, Monk has taken four points more than predecessor Michael Laudrup, having managed 11 games fewer. It came as little surprise, then, to hear chairman Huw Jenkins laud Monk this week as the club's "greatest ever manager". The stats don't lie - he has taken the Welsh outfit from relegation candidates to the brink of a Europa League challenge in the space of 12 months.
Garry Monk, as well as opposite number Alan Pardew, has well and truly made an impression in the Premier League this term:
Those inside the Swansea camp are now speaking about maintaining this feel-food factor beyond this season and into next. Jack Cork in particular spoke highly of his manager this week, claiming that the Swans simply must push on an achieve another top-half finish 12 months from now.
DID YOU KNOW? City have won five of their last eight away games in the Premier League, while they have also lost just three games against sides in the bottom half of the league table all season.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Palace have failed to beat Swansea in each of their last seven meetings; last claiming a victory back in 2005 when they prevailed 3-1 in a Championship clash. Rather more ominously, the Swans have won on their last three visits to Selhurst Park without conceding a single goal.
Right, kickoff is now a little under 10 minutes away, so let's quickly get the thoughts from both camps heading into this clash:
Garry Monk (on keeping hold of players this summer): "It will take an astronomical fee to prise any away. I said the same with Wilfried Bony, and I think you saw with Bony it was an astronomical fee so we're obviously true to our word.
"We're not looking to unload any players, it's very important that we keep them for next season. None of our players are for sale in terms of the quality ones that we have. There will be some movement within the squad but of course our main quality will be kept here at the club."
Alan Pardew (on life since taking over at Palace): "I think it is my best season as a manager. I say that because I've had two such different challenges over the course of this campaign.
"At Newcastle, I had a team at the bottom of the table with a crowd that was very angry at what had gone on at the club for a period of time. I suspect it will be difficult for me to top this season in the future."
PREDICTION! It is now time to offer a pre-match prediction, which is never an easy task on the final day of the season. If recent history is anything to go by, then this should be a straightforward victory for the visitors, but with a few key names absent it is very much all to play for. A win for Palace today will see them end the season just nine points behind the Swans, and I think they will do exactly that with a slender 2-1 success.
Both sets of players are now making their way out onto the field, with kickoff just a couple of short minutes away:
KICKOFF! There is a real party atmosphere around Selhurst Park this afternoon, as Swansea get proceedings underway.
This game has begun with a decent tempo, as Swansea clear away a dangerous Ward cross. The ball fell to Puncheon on the edge of the box, but he was disposed before getting a shot on goal.
Swansea may be lacking a few key names this afternoon, particularly at the back where Williams has been rested, but they have found their passing rhythm in double-quick time.
Palace have been the side posing more question in attack, and they came close to making a breakthrough when a cross from the left found Zaha at the back stick. He got a shot away, but it was well blocked by Jazz Richards.
Montero is caught ball-watching, which allows Ward to burst forward down the right and find himself in a decent position. His cross lacked quality, though, with the ball drifting out of play in the end.
SHOT! The home side have certainly started the better, despite the Swans' early possession. While they have been pushing forward, they have had little to show for it in truth, but Puncheon was not a million miles away with his effort from the edge of the box, which sailed narrowly over the bar.
Zaha has been particularly lively over the past few moments, causing a real threat to the Swans in wide areas, but again there is little end product for Palace. Emnes has just burst forward with the visitors mounting a strong counter, but the former Middlesbrough forward's pass failed to find a teammate.
Incidentally, Palace need just two more goals to equal a club record of 48 in a season. That is largely down to the attacking approach adopted under Pardew since January, which has been largely on show so far today. Still goalless at Selhurst Park, though, despite the fairly lively start.
CLOSE! Montero swings in a half-decent cross from a Swansea corner, which Cork directs goalwards at the front post. His headed attempt was straight into the hands of Hennessey, however, meaning a simple stop for the Welshman.
The loudest cheers of the afternoon so far are aimed in the direction of Puncheon who throws himself to ground twice in quick-succession in an attempt to win the ball back for his side. Great work-rate from the Palace man!
SAVE! Bolasie is played in on the left, before cutting in and rifling a shot towards the near-post which Fabianski is down to save. It was a simple enough stop in the end, but the Poland international could only parry it.
Palace are really dominating things in an attacking sense, and constantly asking questions of the Swans' backline. Montero in particular is being given a torrid time, but so far the visitors have just about dealt with everything asked of them.
Swansea are relying on set pieces to create their only chances at the moment, but their latest free kick was completely wasted. Emnes swung in a cross that was over-hit, with the ball rolling out of play untouched towards the back post.
Still level in South London, as Hennessey easily collects a cross from Dyer, but it is Palace who have had the better of things. The Eagles now need to up things slightly if they are to find a way through prior to the break.
Some nice Palace play culminates in McCarthur firing away an effort from the edge of the box, which is blocked on its way through to allow Fabianski to easily collect. The tempo had dropped a little until that latest Eagles attack.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUB: That was McCarthur's last act of the game, with the midfielder seemingly struggling with an injury problem. Glenn Murray is on in his place, which presumably means Chamakh moving deeper to allow the replacement striker to occupy a more advanced position
Bolasie, who is playing with a clear spring in his step, cuts inside from the left once again and tries his luck from 30 yards out. His attempt took a wicked deflection which could have taken the ball anywhere, but in the end it landed on the roof of the net.
We are still without a goal at Selhurst Park as half time fast closes in, but with this man now on the field we may finally see a breakthrough:
I assumed the introduction of Murray was down to an injury picked up by McCarthur, but word has it than Pardew simply wanted to change things around a little. Palace have been on top, without truly troubling Fabianski so far.
The ball bounces around horribly in the visiting side's box, and Chamakh eventually latches on on to it at the back post. He could not direct it back across the face of goal, though, instead having to settle for a corner which came to little.
There has been very little in the way of goalmouth action for the best part of 20 minutes now, in a half of limited chances. Let's hope for a better spectacle in the second 45 minutes, with the interval now just moments away.
Zaha wastes a decent crossing opportunity out on the left by only picking out the stands with his pass, which sums up this first half in many ways.
HALF TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-0 SWANSEA CITY
All square at Selhurst Park as the half-time whistle blows, then, in a game which has so far contained limited clear-cut chances. Puncheon fired away the first effort of note, with Palace starting the match on top, while Bolasie also forced a simple stop out of Fabianski.
Cork's near-post diving header is as close as Swansea have come to finding a way through, with the Englishman's header directed straight into the hands of Hennessey inside the opening quarter of the game. Since then we have seen no real attacking intent from either of these sides.
Pardew has already tinkered his side somewhat by introducing Murray, but so far it has not paid off. Here is a quick look at the other options available to both managers:
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Speroni, Delaney, Kelly, Mutch, Lee, Campbell
SWANSEA CITY SUBS: Tremmel, Rangel, Grimes, Fulton, Hanley, Gorre, Barrow
We may be heading for a stalemate in South London, yet it is goals galore elsewhere across the country this afternoon:
Five first-half goals for Stoke City in Steve Gerrard's last game at Liverpool, while a Theo Walcott-inspired Arsenal lead West Bromwich Albion 4-0 at the break. Let's just hope for a share of the goals at Selhurst Park over the next 45 minutes.
RESTART! Palace get the second half underway, with no other changes made at the break. Fingers crossed for some extra entertainment!
SHOT! A good start to the second half for City, who get a shot in at goal - just their second of the afternoon - within minutes of the restart. It was a simple enough shot down the throat of Hennessey, however, with the Welsh keeper barely having to break a stride to claim the ball.
An end-to-end start to things in this second period, but that Emnes shot is the only attempt we have seen so far. You get the sense that both sides have been told to throw all they have at this second half in an attempt to sign off with a win. Nothing to lose.
Some superb work from Chamakh sees him take on a couple of opposition players and work some space around 25 yards from goal for a shot, but he slips at the key moment and looks to have injured himself in the process. A few players have gone to ground with no-one around them this afternoon.
A superb burst of acceleration from Emnes sees him work away room to get a cross into the box, but it was cleared away before reaching a white shirt. The effort is there from both sides, but the end product has been lacking for the best part of an hour now.
GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 1-0 SWANSEA CITY (CHAMAKH)
We have lift-off at Selhurst Park at long, long last! Marouanne Chamakh is the man who found the net, chesting down Dann's pass before blasting it beyond Fabianski from close range.
Buoyed by that breakthrough goal, Palace go in search of a second as Zaha closes down Richards' weak back-pass to Fabianski. Zaha caught the Poland international late, rather than getting the ball, which has left the keeper down in some pain.
Fabianski is still receiving some treatment, which does not bode well for his chances of continuing. There was a slight suggestion of handball as Chamakh brought down Dann's pass for the opener, but for me referee Craig Pawson was correct not to rule it out.
Well Fabianski is okay to continue for now. Tremmel, who is likely to depart in the summer, watches on from the bench.
SWANSEA CITY SUB: Barrow is introduced in place of Dyer in what is a like-for-like change. That is now four games in succession he has been brought on since returning from his Nottingham forest loan spell.
Bad news for palace as Chamakh pulls up with a hamstring injury - the third time this season he has done so. The good news for him is that he has a few months to recover from it.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUB: Chamakh, whose goal is the difference at this stage, departs as a result of that hamstring injury. Another who has been frustrated by various knocks this season, Jordon Mutch, comes on in his place.
CLOSE! Jedinak gets the better of Cork as the ball is crossed into a central area, but the skipper's header is right down the middle and yet again too easy for Fabianski. It would have led to a debate had he scored, because he had an awful lot of Cork's shirt when winning the header.
Plenty of excitement elsewhere in the Premier League this afternoon:
SWANSEA CITY SUB: Matt Grimes is introduced for these final 15 minutes or so in place of Britton, meaning that Fabianski will now wear the captain's armband for the remainder.
CLOSE! Palace are really knocking on the door for a second now. Some good work from Zaha ends with him firing away a shot towards the near post from eight yards out, but his attempt brushed the side-netting. Fabianski was beaten.
Plenty more attempts on goal now, as Puncheon's long-range attempt is caught by Fabianski, but all the action is up one end. The Swans need to turn things around in these final 13 minutes.
Things have gone relatively quiet again, which will suit Palace more so than their opponents. Murray was brought down by Fernandez on the edge of the box a few moments ago, but referee Craig Pawson was having none of it. The Palace striker did appear to throw himself to ground a little too easy.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUB: No chance of a Birthday goal for Bolasie, as he departs 10 minutes from time. Fraizer Campbell now has a chance to make an impression.
SWANSEA CITY SUB: The clock is fast running down for the Swans, but Gorre will not care because he has just come on for what is his Premier League debut. Montero, who has been underwhelming this afternoon, departs.
Swansea win a free kick and send every outfield player forward, but Palace deal with it well. The Swans have offered very little throughout the 86 minutes that we have played so far.
SAVE! Puncheon controls the ball before firing away a long-range effort, which Fabianski does well to get across and keep out.
YELLOW CARD! Craig Pawson reaches into his pocked for the first time today to Murray a yellow card. His challenge on Naughton certainly deserved a booking.
Three more minutes left to play in South London, but it is still Palace who are on top. Swansea have been unable to create any chances throughout today's game.
YELLOW CARD! You wait 90 minutes for one booking... Campbell is the latest to enter the referee's book, with just seconds left to play.
FULL TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 1-0 SWANSEA CITY
The full-time whistle sounds, ensuring that Palace comfortably see the game through to claim three more points. They just about done enough to earn the victory, with the Swans struggling to create any real chances throughout the 90 minutes in South London.
It is a disappointing way to end what has been a superb season for Swansea, but they will not be too disheartened due to a number of key players missing this afternoon. With that, Sports Mole's live text coverage in terms of this season's Premier League action comes to an end. Be sure to stick around, however, with plenty of reaction to come from all 10 of today's games.
