06 December 2023 , 22:04
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Furious Crystal Palace fans turned on Roy Hodgson after Bournemouth continued their fine form with a deserved win at Selhurst Park – and the manager immediately hit back by accusing supporters of “being spoiled in recent years.”
The full-time whistle was met by chants describing Hodgson and his players as “f***ing useless”, while an object that was thrown from the main stand almost struck the manager as he walked towards the tunnel.
Hodgson added: “It was a very sad evening for us. We didn’t play well. We’ve punched above our weight for a number of years but the fact is every game for us is a street fight. We need the fans because without them it’ll be really hard. Don’t desert us in a bad moment. You’re very important to get behind us and get us going. The players need it too.
“The fans may need to accept it’s not going well for us at this moment but I hope they have enough empathy for the team. Tonight was not the performance they or the players wanted to see.”
Marcos Senesi capitalised on slack set-piece defending to put the buoyant Cherries in front midway through the first half. And with Palace unable to fashion a fightback, substitute Kieffer Moore delivered the knockout blow following more shambolic rear-guard action in added time.
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For Bournemouth a third win in four has catapulted them to 14th place. But this was a night in which Palace’s problems plumbed new depths, with a fifth loss in their last seven Premier League games. They had actually started well and Jordan Ayew was twice denied by Neto, but they collectively switched off 10 minutes in and never regained consciousness.
There was a disconnect in the middle of the park and, of most concern, a normally dependable back four looked incapable of dealing with deliveries from wide areas.
Senesi’s opener came from a corner that should never have been conceded. But Palace’s marking was dismal as Ryan Christie’s delivery was met by Luis Sinisterra. He knocked the ball towards the back post and Senesi arrived untracked to convert from three yards.
Palace temporarily livened up after the restart and Jefferson Lerma’s drive in the 49th minute was turned onto the post by a fine Neto stop.
Except that would be Palace’s final shot on target and a dour second period was capped by a comical defensive error gifting Moore Bournemouth’s second.
Chris Richards was unable to deal with a ball down the wing. Sam Johnstone was caught in two minds over whether to commit or stay on his line. And that enabled Philip Billing to find Moore to seal the win. “It was an important win for us,” manager Andoni Iraola said. “We were really efficient and compact.”c