Crystal Palace welcomed struggling Swansea City to Selhurst Park on Monday looking to continue their strong form, which had seen them rise to fifth position in the Premier League ahead of kickoff.
Palace had the better of the first period in London, but the two teams entered the interval on level terms.
The second half was much more open in terms of opportunities, but neither could make the breakthrough as the points were shared in the English capital.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period at Selhurst to a close with the score finishing goalless. The second half was much better than the first in terms of entertainment, but Swansea held on to secure a point. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Sigurdsson attempts to beat Hennessey with a curling effort from outside the box, but the Palace goalkeeper is on hand to make the save before releasing Bamford. Could be a brilliant finish here!
CHANCE! Zaha shows wonderful feet inside the box to work a yard and curl one towards the far corner, but his effort just misses the post! Really should have been the winning goal there!
CLOSE! Palace counter from a Swansea free kick, but Souare cannot pick out a teammate inside the box and it is Williams that comes cross to clear! Any pass into one of the Palace players would have brought a goal, but Williams, who has been wonderful, stuck out a big leg to clear behind the goal.
Both teams are pressing forward as we enter the final moments here, but the final pass from both teams has been lacking all afternoon. A point apiece would be a better result for Swansea here.
Little over five minutes of this match remaining and we are still level in the English capital. It has been a much better second period in terms of intensity and indeed chances, but a goal at this stage would be very harsh. Have Palace really done enough to deserve to be ahead here? I am not too sure.
It is Palace doing most of the pressing at the moment as more set-pieces arrive into the Swansea box, but the visitors have been strong defensively this afternoon and will feel that they deserve a share of the spoils. Mutch has a go for the hosts after driving forward, but his effort fizzes wide of the post.
Another Palace free kick is delivered into the arms of Fabianski as the score remains goalless here.
SAVE! Wonderful work from the Swansea goalkeeper as he keeps out a close-range strike from Bamford after the ball had bounced to the striker inside the box. Excellent from Fabianski there!
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and we are still all square at Selhurst. You just get the feeling that there is a goal in this match, however, and it could well be the winner at this stage.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the visitors to take the lead as a deep free kick causes all sorts of problems inside the Palace box, but Amat cannot convert from close range. What a moment!
I would be surprised if this match actually finished goalless as both teams continue to commit numbers in the final third. The double change from Swansea has placed the visitors in control!
SAVE! Barrow cuts inside from the right before striking towards the Palace goal, but Hennessey is on hand to make a fine save. Swansea are the team looking most likely at the moment!
Palace have the chance to threaten from another set piece, but the delivery from Puncheon is disappointing and Swansea have a goal kick. Still goalless with 62 minutes on the clock here.
Little over 30 minutes of this Premier League clash remaining and Swansea are still making it very difficult for this Palace team, who are seriously missing the pace and invention of Bolasie. Swansea seem to fancy their chances of nicking a goal here as they continue to commit players forward.
You sense that Swansea would be delighted with a point here, but they are starting to cause problems in the final third due the pace of Barrow and Emnes. Gomis has also been lively since the break and suddenly Palace do not look too comfortable at the back. Still goalless with 54 minutes played!
Much better game at the moment as both teams commit players in the final third. Another Palace set piece leads to another header, but Dann's effort was always rising over the Swansea crossbar.
Gomis drives into the Palace box after evading a couple of challenges, but the Frenchman cannot get past Dann and the danger is cleared. The hosts break down the other end with Souare, who has spent most of this game playing as a left-winger, but his cross is straight into the arms of the Palace stopper.
SAVE! Finally a chance of note! Palace come close to opening the scoring as Cabaye delivers a free kick onto the head of Hangeland, but Fabianski is across his goal to make a fine stop!
It has been a decent start to the second period from Swansea, with Shelvey already delivering a dangerous cross into the Palace box. Bamford, however is on hand to clear the danger. You do get the feeling that one goal could be enough to claim all the points here, based on what were have seen so far.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. You sense that one goal might well be enough to win this match. It is Palace that resume the action here...
BENCH WATCH! Palace have plenty of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, with the likes of Bamford, Campbell and Lee all available. Swansea, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Ayew, Ki, Montero and Siguardsson. The visitors look to have the stronger bench at Selhurst Park.
STATS! Palace have shaded the possession with 54%, while they have had two attempts, but neither was on target. Swansea, meanwhile, have not had a single attempt thus far, which is an indication of the lack of action in this match. Just the one yellow to report - Cabaye in the book for the home team.
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two teams on terms at Selhurst Park. In truth, it has not been a great half of football, with both teams struggling in the final third of the field. Palace have edged it, but neither side deserves to be ahead at this stage of the match.
Palace continue to force the issue as we approach the final moments of this half. Swansea have plenty of pace in the final third, but they have not been able to utilise that attacking threat thus far here.
Puncheon delivers a cross towards Chamakh after finding space in a wide position, but Williams is up to clear the danger. Souare delivers from the same side moments later, but once again it is Williams that is on hand to clear. Gomis then wins a free kick for his team after tussling with Hangeland.
Swansea enjoy a period of possession outside the Palace box, but the visitors cannot fashion a chance and the danger is cleared when Souare blocks a cross from Barrow. Still all square at Selhurst here.
It is super work from Barrow as the Swansea attacker dribbles through two challenges before advancing into the Palace box, but Dann stands strong to make a wonderful challenge. It is super defending from the centre-back, who has been one of the best defenders in the league this season.
We have still not had a meaningful chance in this match, but I suspect that Swansea's interim boss Alan Custis will be pleased with what he has seen thus far. The Swans have been tight at the back.
Cabaye delivers a free kick onto the head of Jedinak inside the Swansea box, but his effort was never really troubling the Swansea goalkeeper. Still goalless as this first period continues to gather pace.
Almost a chance for Swansea as Shelvey slides a super pass towards Emnes, but the ball just runs away from the striker and Hennessey is out to collect. Almost the perfect ball from Shelvey there!
Fabianski remains nice and solid between the sticks as the Swansea goalkeeper again collects a cross from the left, but Souare had moved into an offside position. Palace are missing Bolasie's pace and invention in this match as Swansea continue to shuffle across and clear the danger. Still goalless here.
Half-chance for Palace as Puncheon delivers a corner onto the head of Jedinak, but his effort was never really troubling Fabianski, who collected under pressure. The pace has just been raised in the last couple of minutes, but there is a sense of frustration in the home support as Swansea clear their lines.
Well, 22 minutes on the clock and we are still waiting for the first real chance of this match. Palace have been the better team, but Swansea have been pretty comfortable at the back it must be said.
There have been some very tasty challenges in the last couple of minutes, but the referee has been more than prepared to let the game flow. Palace work a corner short before Cabaye tries his luck from outside the box, but Swansea get men behind the ball and the danger is cleared. Still all square here.
Not too much to report in terms of attacking football in the last couple of minutes, with both teams guilty of relinquishing possession in the final third. The crowd remain in strong voice here though.
Taylor just needs to be a little bit careful as the Swansea left-back continues to drive forward, which is leaving all sorts of space for Zaha down the other end. Palace have once again regained control of the ball, but we have not really had a clear chance for either side in the opening 15 minutes in London.
Barrow and Grimes, who are playing either side of Gomis, have started to unnerve the Palace back four with their energy in the final third and smart running from Barrow manages to win a corner for his team. The set piece is played short, however, and Palace eventually regain possession. What a waste!
Pass, pass, pass from Palace as they continue to look for an opening, but Swansea have managed to defend their lines thus far. Gomis is also starting to keep hold of the ball in the final third of the field.
Swansea have not really been allowed to pass the ball in the opening eight minutes as Palace continue to press high and look to exploit the wide positions. Zaha has been nice and bright thus far, while Puncheon has threatened with a couple of dangerous crosses. Confident start from the home side.
Palace again threaten from a free kick down the left - Puncheon's delivery is cleared at the first time of asking, but Swansea are then forced to survive a period of sustained pressure. Gomis is providing an out-ball for the visitors at the moment, but Palace are completely dominating possession of the ball.
Half-chance for the home side as Zaha drives down the right before delivering a low cross towards Chamakh, but the striker cannot make contact under pressure from two defenders. It is the home team that have taken control of the possession in the opening three, four minutes at Selhurst Park.
... as expected, it has been a fast-paced start, with both teams attempting to make their mark in the early moments. Palace immediately look for Ward down the right, but Williams is quickly across to clear the danger. Palace will certainly be looking to get their full-backs forward in this match.
KICKOFF! You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this match. Swansea's confidence is not too high at the moment! Right, it is the away side that kick us off in London...
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period at Selhurst Park. As expected, there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. Who will end 2015 on a high here?
PREDICTION! I really fancy Palace here. Both sides are without key players, but Palace have a much deeper squad and when looking at the two teams on the field, I just have a feeling that the hosts will have enough to record all the points and continue their strong form. For me, Palace to win this 2-0.
Swansea's next match after this one is away to Manchester United, although the Red Devils seem to be giving everyone points at the moment. The Welsh team just have not scored enough goals this season – managing just 16 in their 18 matches. Bafetimbi Gomis started the season in good form, but has struggled for goals in recent weeks and the Frenchman has not had much help in recent weeks it must be said!
That 1-0 win over West Brom was their first victory in eight league matches, but they have had a tough run of matches – facing the likes of Liverpool, Leicester and Manchester City in recent weeks. They did hold West Ham United to a goalless draw on December 20, however, and avoiding defeat in this match would be another step in the right direction. We are now just 10 minutes from kickoff here!
Swansea, however, have won just one of their last nine Premier League away games – losing six times in the process. A poor run of form led to Garry Monk losing his position as head coach, but results have not really improved since Alan Curtis took charge on an interim basis. The Welsh outfit did record a 1-0 win over West Brom on Saturday, however, which allowed them to move out of the relegation zone.
This match will take on more importance for Palace when considering what they have to come in the next few weeks. They will tackle Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham in three of their next four and they could find themselves down the table with a poor start to 2015. Palace have won their last two Premier League home matches, but they have not won three in a row at Selhurst Park since February 2014.
Eighteen league matches have brought 30 points for Palace this term. They have been winners on nine occasions this season, drawing three and losing six. Goals have been a bit of a problem with just 23 scored, but they have only conceded 16 times, which is up there with the best in the division.
Palace are unbeaten in their last five league matches – recording three wins during that run to move into fifth position in the table. Pardew's side are directly above Manchester United in the table and just two points off fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur. Taking that further, the Eagles are actually only eight points off the top of the table, which is incredible at this stage. Anyone for a Palace title-tilt this term?
COMPETITION! Want to win tickets for Manchester United's home match against Swansea City in the Premier League next weekend? Find out how here!
So there we have it. The teams are in and we are now little over 20 minutes from kickoff in London. Palace will enter this match as the favourites to collect all the points, but Swansea have had the best of the recent meetings. In fact, Palace have only won one of their last eight league games against Swansea and lost three of their last four at home to the Welsh outfit. What's more, Palace boss Alan Pardew has only picked up eight points in his eight previous games against Swansea.
The big news in the Swansea team is that there is a first Premier League start for Matt Grimes, who earns a spot in an attacking midfield role. Federico Fernandez and Wayne Routledge have both been ruled out with knocks, meaning that Marvin Emnes and Modou Barrow are given starts behind lone forward Bafetimbi Gomis. Jordi Amat is also in the XI for the visitors, but Jefferson Montero, Andre Ayew and Gylfi Sigurdsson are all on the bench. Interesting selections from both managers here!
As expected, Palace are without the services of both Yannick Bolasie and Connor Wickham this afternoon, while Bakary Sako and Dwight Gayle also both miss out. Scott Dann has made it, but the Englishman is without his usual centre-back partner Damien Delaney, who is replaced in the team by the experienced Brede Hangeland. In come Mile Jedinak and Marouane Chamakh to the home side's XI.
TEAMS:
PALACE: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Hangeland, Souare; Cabaye, Jedinak, McArthur; Puncheon, Chamakh, Zaha
SWANSEA: Fabianski; Naughton, Amat, Williams, Taylor; Cork, Shelvey; Grimes, Emnes, Barrow; Gomis
Right, before anything else, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. How many changes have both managers made from their respective Boxing Day matches? Teams...
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage continues from Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace welcome Swansea City. The home side will enter the game in fifth position in the table, but a difficult campaign for the visitors has left them in 16th. That said, the Swans will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 win over West Brom on Boxing Day, which was their first league success in eight matches.
