BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT SELHURST PARK

AFC Bournemouth took another massive step towards retaining their status as a Premiership side as they beat Crystal Palace 1-2 thanks to goals from Marc Pugh and newly signed Benik Afobe.

In Alan Pardew’s programme notes he said: “Bournemouth have recorded big wins against Chelsea and Manchester United this season and play a brand of football they have not altered despite their rapid rise to this level of the English game, so we know they will be dangerous opponents.”  And so it turned out to be.

The game did not come to life until the 24^th minute when Benik Afobe found himself in space in the box but before he could pull the trigger he was dispossessed by Damian Delaney. Three minutes later Palace took the lead. Chung-Yong Lee back heeled the ball to Wilfried Zaha on the edge of the Bournemouth area. Zaha fizzed a low cross into the box, which was met with a volley from Scott Dan from close range to give the Eagles the lead.

In the 33^rd minute Bournemouth hit back. Charlie Daniels got the ball on the left and passed it to Marc Pugh who mesmerized three Palace defenders before putting his shot in the bottom left corner of Wayne Hennessey’s goal to bring Bournemouth level.  In stoppage time of the first half Joel Ward crossed from the right and it fell to Pape Souare who skied his shot wide.  Although there were two goals in the first half, the quality from both sides was not quite there. Both teams were level at the break.

After the break Palace upped their tempo but the end product was still missing.

Just before the hour mark, after some intricate passing by the Bournemouth side, the ball fell to Matt Ritchie. He hit a shot, which was parried out by Hennessey but unfortunately to the oncoming Afobe whose looping header went in slowly as time stood still to give the Cherries the lead.

Alan Pardew reacted by replacing the ineffective Frazier Campbell with Emmanuel Adebayor to try and salvage the game.  Within a quarter of an hour of being on the pitch, Adebayor did more than all of Palace’s frontline has managed this season.

Zaha played a reverse pass to Miles Jedinak who played Marouane Chamakh in.  Although he hit the target his shot was too weak to trouble Artur Boruc. Zaha showed signs of sparking today,that was not the case for Jason Puncheon who has gone off the boil this season. He has not be able to replicate last season’s form, which had some pundits suggesting he could force his way into Roy Hodgson’s plans.

In stoppage time Zaha crossed from the left and the ball fell to Adebayor in a tight angle but he could only hit the side netting.

Eddie Howe said: “It was a big win for us. Every game at this level is so important. Coming from behind today was the highlight of the night. It was a big boost to come in level at half time.  We struggled for rhythm in the first half. We knew we could do better in the second half.” 

On match winner Afobe he said: “ The way he has adapted with the hype is very good.” 

Pardew said: “ We lacked composure tonight. I think we were a little bit unlucky to lose. That is the run we are on at the moment.  Wilfried was terrific tonight but we did not have other options.  We know if we can get the quality in the box Adebayor will deliver for us. For 35 minutes I think he did ok. He is coming into a team that is not flying at the moment. It is a tough period for us. “