Crystal Palace drew 0-0 with Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League, earning a point despite being down to 10 men for the entirety of the second half.
Antoine Semenyo arguably had the best chance of the opening 45 minutes but his goal-bound strike was blocked by centre-back Dean Huijsen just after the 15-minute mark.
The two sides played at a timid pace for much of the rest of the first half, but Chris Richards's red card close to the interval for a second yellow saw Palace concede further territory to the visitors.
Bournemouth created little in the final third, and Palace showed no ambition to try and counter-attack the visitors, with boss Oliver Glasner taking off Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta 15 minutes from time.
The game ended goalless and draw left the Eagles in 12th place with 44 points, five fewer than Bournemouth, who end the afternoon in eighth place.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Saturday's clash was a feisty affair, with seven yellow cards being brandished by referee Samuel Barrott, and Richards's dismissal ultimately decided the direction of the game.
Palace can move onto bigger and better things given they are in the FA Cup semi-finals, but Glasner will not want the season to peter out.
As for Bournemouth, the draw ensured that boss Andoni Iraola has secured the Cherries' record points total in the Premier League, and the 2024-25 campaign has undoubtedly been one of immense progress.
CRYSTAL PALACE VS. BOURNEMOUTH HIGHLIGHTS
16th min: Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) chance
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Bournemouth play a short corner to the edge of the Eagles' penalty area where Semenyo strikes an effort at goal, but his goal-bound effort hits teammate Huijsen, who tries but fails to jump out of the way.
That was Semenyo's 114th shot of the season!
45+1st min: Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) red card
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After already receiving a yellow earlier in the game, Palace defender Richards cynically pulls Justin Kluivert's arm on the halfway line and is shown his second yellow card.
The Eagles are down to 10 men!
75th min: Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) substitutions
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With an FA Cup semi-final to look forward to on the weekend against Aston Villa, Glasner takes no risks and brings off key players Wharton and Mateta.
Sensible changes from the Palace boss.
MAN OF THE MATCH - MAXENCE LACROIX
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Maxence Lacroix has often proved valuable with the ball at his feet, but his defensive effort in the second half was vital for his side on Saturday.
No other player on the pitch made more defensive actions (15) or more clearances (10), and the centre-back also won three of his four duels.
CRYSTAL PALACE VS. BOURNEMOUTH MATCH STATS
Possession: Crystal Palace 27%-73% Bournemouth
Shots: Crystal Palace 5-15 Bournemouth
Shots on target: Crystal Palace 0-5 Bournemouth
Corners: Crystal Palace 5-4 Bournemouth
Fouls: Crystal Palace 13-10 Bournemouth
BEST STATS
FT: Crystal Palace 0-0 Bournemouth #CRYBOU pic.twitter.com/BLOrjo6MX6
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) April 19, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Crystal Palace will take on Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday, but they will undoubtedly have one eye on their FA Cup semi-final clash against Aston Villa on April 26.
As for Bournemouth, they face Manchester United next Sunday at home, before then playing Arsenal on May 5 in their 35th Premier League game of the season.
Lewis Nolan
