Swansea City and Crystal Palace shared the spoils this afternoon, as two first half goals were enough for the game to finish 1-1 at the Liberty Stadium.
Wilfried Bony fired the hosts in front with a lovely turn and shot past Julian Speroni after 15 minutes.
Ten minutes later, Palace skipper Mile Jedinak levelled from the spot after Jonjo Shelvey fouled Marouane Chamakh in the area.
Though chances were created, neither team could win the game and it ended in a stalemate.
Read how the action unfolded below.
Good afternoon and welcome to live text coverage of the Premier League match between Swansea City and Crystal Palace here on Sports Mole.
The Swans will edge closer to the top four victory today, while a win for Palace will put some breathing room between themselves and the relegation zone.
Neil Warnock's side picked up three points last time out, overcoming Liverpool 3-1 at Selhurst Park last Sunday thanks to goals from Joe Ledley, Dwight Gayle and Mile Jedinak.
After beating Arsenal in their last home game, Swansea travelled to Manchester City last Saturday, and despite taking an early lead through Wilfried Bony, they were eventually pegged back and were beaten 2-1.
Though they were sunk at City, Garry Monk will take heart from the way his men overturned a 1-0 deficit of their own in their last outing at the Liberty Stadium. Trailing to an Alexis Sanchez goal, the Swans levelled through Gylfi Sigurdsson's wonderful free-kick, before Bafetimbi Gomis emerged from the bench to knock home a winner.
That was before the international break, so Monk will be keen to get his side back to winning ways here today. The teams are out, so let's take a look:
Swansea City: Fabianski; Taylor, Williams, Rangel, Bartley; Ki Sung-Yueng, Shelvey, Montero, Sigurdsson, Routledge; Bony.
Tremmel, Amat, Richards, Britton, Carroll, Barrow, Gomis.
Crystal Palace: Speroni; Kelly, Dann, Ward, Hangeland; Puncheon, Jedinak, Ledley, Bolasie, Chamakh; Gayle.
Subs: Hennessey, Fryers, Bannan, Thomas, McArthur, Campbell, Zaha.
So it looks as if both teams will be playing variations of 4-5-1/4-3-3 this afternoon, with Montero and Routledge supporting Bony for Swansea and Bolasie and Puncheon flanking Gayle for Palace.
Jefferson Montero is a player who has really impressed me in the few games I've seen him feature in so far, with his rapid speed causing defenders all sorts of problems. In recent matches here at the Liberty against Leicester City and Arsenal in particular, Montero has been a constant menace, always threatening to cut in from the left to deliver a dangerous cross or shot.
The winger will of course be looking for Bony this afternoon, who has hit a lovely run of goalscoring form after initially struggling in the early part of the campaign. The striker, who was one of the best signings of last season, has now registered five in his last six league outings.
In midfield, Jonjo Shelvey returns to the line up in place of Tom Carroll, who stepped in for the loss in Manchester last weekend. Ex-Palace trickster Wayne Routledge steps in for Nathan Dyer - who is benched, while centre back Federico Fernandez is yet to recover from a calf strain so Kyle Bartley continues to deputise.
For Palace, Damian Delaney has failed to overcome the muscle strain which forced him off against Liverpool, and with Adrian Mariappa also sidelined, Brede Hangeland will continue in the heart of defence.
Thanks to the excellent recent form of Yannick Bolasie - who was instrumental last time out, assisting two goals - Wilfried Zaha is once more on the bench for Warnock's men, and he'll be looking to use his skills and pace to get the better of Neil Taylor today.
Skipper Jedinak, who has made some crucial errors in recent games, scored from a brilliant set-piece against the Reds. The Australian has given away a late penalty and been sent off during their last five games, but he may have turned the corner after his fantastic strike past Simon Mignolet.
Last season's clash between these two here ended in a score draw, with both goalscorers having now departed their clubs. The hosts took the lead via a Jonathan de Guzman strike after 25 minutes, before a late Glenn Murray penalty salvaged a draw for his team, which were then of course managed by Tony Pulis.
1-1 is the scoreline our man Pascal has predicted again this time around, while Barney disagrees and thinks a 2-0 win for the home side. Have a watch of their match preview:
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UPDATE: In today's early Premier League kick-off, Arsenal have held on to take all three points against West Bromwich Albion. An excellent run and cross from Santi Cazorla found Danny Welbeck, who headed powerfully past Ben Foster to score the only goal of the game. Of course, Sports Mole will bring you all the reaction and analysis from that game over the next hour or so.
PREDICTION: Back to this one then, and it's time for my two cents. I think today I'm going to be siding with Barney in that I think Swansea will have enough to win the game, but I do fancy Palace to register a goal. 3-1 to the hosts I reckon, with Sigurdsson starring.
Sigurdsson is someone whose really benefitted from regular football this season, having moved back to Wales and put his Spurs frustrations behind him. The Icelandic midfielder has been one of the team's key players so far, offering goals and assists from his position behind the striker. Palace will have to be extremely wary of him today.
Palace's team is interesting actually, because recent games have seen Marouane Chamakh deploy a deeper position in midfield, having been used as a striker last season and for all his career really. The Moroccan played excellently in a game at West Brom a few weeks back in this position, making tackles and starting attacks. I'm keen to see whether Warnock opts for this approach again today.
We're just a few minutes away from kick-off here, and the teams are in the tunnel.
Both sides are wearing their home strips, and Jedinak and Williams are with referee Martin Atkinson completing the coin toss. On the sidelines, Warnock and Monk exchange pleasantries. We're all set...
KICK OFF! Palace get us underway, kicking from left to right.
Swansea with all of the ball early on and Routledge is found out on the right. He attempts a cross, but it's overhit and out for a goal kick.
Swansea shout for a penalty after a lovely, intricate move. Sigurdsson slips in Bony, who back heels into the path of his left back, but he hits the deck too early and the appeals are waved away. Nice move though.
The home side go forward again and Montero gets away from Ward and shifts the ball on to his left foot. His dined cross finds Bony, who is stretching as he heads wide.
Stupid from Chamakh, who almost gets himself booked for dissent for slamming the ball into the floor. He was annoyed with the decision against him for fouling Ki. In my opinion, it was a clear foul.
CLOSE! From the resulting free-kick, Sigursson attempts to do what he did against Arsenal, and bend it into the top corner. His effort is decent, but it lands on the roof of the net and Speroni calls "safe!"
Gayle is on the floor after a strong challenge from Williams. The striker looks to be feeling some pain in his knee and he's being treated.
CHANCE! Montero finds space down the right and crosses low for Bony. The striker meets the ball but it goes over.
GOAL FOR SWANSEA! Bony
What a goal from the striker, who makes it six goals in seven games in the Premier League. Sigurdsson fires the ball towards the Ivorian, who takes one touch to control, turns on the spot and powers past a hapless Speroni.
Really excellent strike that from Bony, to improve his position as the highest scoring Premier League player of 2014. He knows exactly where the goal is and what he wants to do when Sigurdsson plays the ball to him. Great goal.
This is all Swansea at the moment. Palace can barely get out of their half as they struggle to cope with Montero, Sigurdsson and Routledge.
Ki takes aim from range but his effort is poor and it flies over.
SUBSTITUTION FOR CRYSTAL PALCE: Gayle has failed to recover from that dead leg he picked up during that early collision with Williams and he's going to be replaced by James McArthur.
Routledge fires a cross towards Bony's head but it's too high. When the ball comes back towards Jonjo Shelvey, the midfielder lashes a shot goalwards, only to see it blocked.
Bolasie gets the first chance to stretch his legs as he tries to run past Rangel. When he cuts inside, his pass is dreadful and Swansea whack the ball clear.
PENALTY FOR CRYSTAL PALCE!
GOAL FOR CRYSTAL PALACE! Jedinak
Captain Jedinak levels things up, completely against the run of play. The move started when Bolasie got down the left and attempted to cross, only for Bartley to get across and deflect the ball from a corner. From the resulting set piece, Shelvey challenged Chamakh poorly and Atkinson awarded the spot kick. The penalty was fired straight down the middle. 1-1.
Swansea are trying to find their rhythm again, as they seem a little stunned by that equaliser.
That Jedinak penalty has really changed this game, and Palace have certainly grown in confidence. Gayle's injury could prove to be a blessing in disguise, with Chamakh now leading the line and McArthur slotting into midfield.
SAVE! Brilliant stop from Fabianski, who comes to the rescue after Williams makes a hash of Ward's cross. Chamakh nips in and gets a shot off, but the Polish keeper makes himself big and averts the danger.
CLOSE! Incredible from Bolasie, who cuts in from the left and launches a screamer towards the Swansea net. Fabianski claims he didn't touch it, meaning it looked as it if flicked off the bar. However, Atkinson awards a corner.
Now Palace are back on terms, they're looking the more likely to score here. The game has completely tilted in balance since their equalising goal. Swansea need to regain their composure.
CHANCE! Weak shot from Routledge, who really should do better when presented with a great chance. Again it's Sigurdsson who plays him in, but despite having time, he shoots poorly at Speroni. Better from Swansea, though not from the winger Routledge.
I keep seeing replays of the Palace penalty, and it's actually a really hard one to judge. Chamakh puts his body in the way, perhaps dropping a little too easily to the floor. Who'd be a ref, eh?
Montero is clutching his right leg having run into a challenge from Puncheon. He's hobbling on unconvincingly.
Swansea have turned a corner here, and are back in the driving seat after that short period of Palace being on top. This is a good game.
MISS! Poor from Shelvey, who should score when presented with a chance from Sigurdsson. He volleys wide from seven yards out. It's a bit of a sitter.
HALF TIME - SWANSEA CITY 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
Good half of football that, with both teams having some really bright spells and moments. The hosts began like a house on fire, so it was unsurprising to see Bony give his team the lead with an excellent turn and shot.
But Palace fought back well, and took advantage of a rare foray into opposition territory by winning the penalty. After Jedinak opted to blast down the middle as Fabianski went to his right, the visitors were on top and Bolasie went so close to making it 2-1.
As the half wore on, Swansea got back on top but couldn't score, but they'll take encouragement from their last ten minutes as they look for a second half winner.
RESTART! Swansea get us back underway, here we go.
First action of the half, as Routledge wins a corner off of Kelly. They take it too quickly and Palace clear with ease.
SAVE! Chamakh holds the ball up well after a mistake from Bartley. He finds Jedinak, who drives from midfield and unleashes a low drive. Fabianski is equal to it, and holds well. It was a strong strike, but perhaps he should've looked to Bolasie, who was free on the right.
Jedinak picks out McArthur with a lovely pass, and the midfielder finds Chamakh after brining it down. The Moroccan tries to tee-up a teammate unsuccessfully, before Puncheon crosses a lose ball into Fabianski's hands.
SHOT! Up the other end, and Shelvey goes close with a volley. He brings down a cross from the right on his chest, powering a shot first time at Speroni. Luckily for the Palace keeper, it's straight at him. He might've been in trouble otherwise.
The good news is that after eight minutes of the half, it's pretty clear that neither side is going to settle for a point just yet. This is a really good game at the moment.
Hangeland gives the ball away sloppily, allowing Sigurdsson to cross. He's looking Bony - instead he finds Kelly, who clears.
Sigurdsson is frustrated with a lack of runners ahead of him. He looks a cut above everyone else on the pitch though, in truth.
CLOSE! Once again, it's Sigurdsson. Speroni is forced into a good reaction stop after the Swans man hits a volley out of the air. Shelvey had crossed for Bony originally, and the ball looped up in Sigurdsson's direction.
SUBSTITUTION FOR SWANSEA CITY: Routledge's afternoon is over and he doesn't look particularly happy about it. Rapid winger Barrow is on in his place.
SUBSTITUTION FOR CRYSTAL PALACE: Chamakh departs too, with Warnock deciding to introduce Frazier Campbell.
McArthur is upended by Rangel as Palace break into Swans territory.
Jedinak hits the free kick deep and Campbell meets it. His header down isn't bad, but nobody is there to knock the ball in.
YELLOW CARD! McArthur cynically fouls Barrow, who is potentially away if he stays on his feet. It's a 'one for the team' type tackle from the ex-Wigan man, and he's probably done the right thing in Warnock's eyes.
The free kick is knocked into the box, with Bony losing out to Hangeland. The header drops to Shelvey, whose body awkwardly meets the ball and his his half volley doesn't trouble the keeper.
Bolasie picks the ball up and decides to drive forward. He shoots, well at least I think he does. Then Neil Taylor takes a throw, so you can imagine how good that shot was...
SUBSTITUTE FOR SWANSEA CITY: Gomis trots on for Bony as the hosts look to win the game.
Things have definitely slowed down, and Sigurdsson has begun to start forcing the issue somewhat. In the latest attack, he looks for Barrow but his pass is nowhere near and he looks annoyed with himself.
CLOSE! Sigurdsson so nearly gives his team the lead after Taylor feeds him along the edge of the box. His effort is hard and low, but unfortunately just wide.
SUBSTITUTION FOR CRYSTAL PALACE: Ambitious from Warnock, who replaces Puncheon with Zaha, clearly with the intention of taking all three points.
Montero tries to play the ball into Gomis from the left. It's a sloppy pass and Palace hook it clear.
Goals going in at Anfield and Turf Moor during the last couple of minutes, but will we get a winner here? Swansea certainly look most likely.
Speroni is happy to watch the ball sail over as Sigurdsson has a go from distance.
We're drifting a little here. Although Swansea look positive, I can't see them scoring a goal to win this one. Palace are defending well.
Into the first of four extra minutes, Gomis heads over as Barrow delivers into the box.
Campbell tries to hold off Williams as a long ball is pumped forward but the Swansea captain is as strong as usual to ensure the ball goes through to Fabianski.
Bolasie shapes to shoot three times before eventually pulling the trigger. It's high and wide, and that will be it I think.
FULL TIME: SWANSEA CITY 1-1 CRYSTAL PALACE
Not the result either team would've wanted I don't think, though Palace will be the happier with a point. Both sides had periods where they were better, and both had chances to nick all three points.
Thanks for joining us here on Sports Mole this afternoon. Stick around, because we'll be bringing you all the reaction and analysis from this, and all the Premier League fixtures, within the next hour and beyond.
Written by
Joe McPhee
Joe McPhee
