Good afternoon all! So, it's only the second week of the new Premier League season and it's already been a turbulent start for managerless Crystal Palace. The Eagles will take on West Ham United on home turf, with both teams searching for their first points of the campaign.

Before we delve into the problems that surround today's home team, let's take a look at both teams lining up today...

CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Speroni; Kelly, Hangeland, Delaney, Ward; Bannan, Jedinak, Ledley, Bolasie; Chamakh, Campbell

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Mariappa, McCarthy, O'Keefe, Jonny Williams, Murray, Gayle

Caretaker boss Keith Millen has made two changes to the side that lost to Arsenal last weekend. Damien Delaney comes into the defence due to Scott Dann's failure to recover from injury in time, while Barry Bannan starts for the Eagles as Jason Puncheon serves a suspension for getting sent off at the Emirates last Saturday.

WEST HAM XI: Adrian; O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell; Noble, Kouyate, Downing; Zarate, Vaz Te, Cole

WEST HAM SUBS: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Poyet, Morrison, Diame, Valencia, Sakho

Sam Allardyce has also made two changes to his team, but one of them was forced after Kevin Nolan suffered a shoulder injury. Summer signing Mauro Zarate will make his debut for the Hammers at Selhurst Park, while James Tomkins has replaced James Collins, who will sit out of today's match after seeing red against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Losing Nolan is a blow to West Ham at this early stage of the season and Allardyce has told Sky Sports News that he expects the captain to be out of action for a "few weeks". Mark Noble will wear the skipper's armband this afternoon.

All eyes will be on Palace this afternoon following their recent troubles off the field. So, where do we start?! Two days before the season began last week, Tony Pulis, who saved the Eagles from relegation in the 2013-14 campaign, walked away from his position. Rumours were rife that the ex-Stoke City boss fell out with co-chairman Steve Parish regarding the club's summer transfer activity.

Former Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay appeared to be close to taking over from Pulis but the move fell apart after allegations of misconduct came to light following his time at the Welsh club. The Scotsman is alleged to have made racist, sexist and homophobic comments during text message conversations with former head of recruitment Iain Moody. The same Iain Moody who was appointed sporting director at Palace last season...

After the allegations came to light, Moody resigned from his post and now Palace are left without a sporting director and a manager with nine days left to go until the transfer window slams shut. Are you all caught up now?

It's a less than desirable situation at Selhurst Park and you wonder who will want to take on the responsibility of saving the club this early into the season. Both Tim Sherwood and Glenn Hoddle have reportedly ruled themselves out of the running. Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon has emerged as favourite to take the position and Pulis was even fourth favourite with the bookies to return this morning! That's a doubtful outcome but in today's game you never know...

Despite all this drama going on there is actually some football that needs to be played! Palace proved against Arsenal last weekend that they will not be rolled over, but unfortunately for the Eagles they didn't come away with the points. For West Ham, they showed some impressive play moving forward against Spurs last Saturday, but a sucker-punch in injury time left them on the losing side.

Earlier this week, Sports Mole's 'On the Sofa' team previewed this afternoon's match. Get the thoughts of our very own Matt Law, Barney Corkhill and Pascal Lemesre in the video below:

Both teams will be desperate to get off the mark today following on from last weekend's defeats and with Palace being known for their passionate fanbase, you can expect plenty of atmosphere at Selhurst Park this afternoon, despite the off-field troubles.

Caretaker boss Keith Millen has suggested that he would be open to taking on the role full-time but whether Parish is considering the coach remains to be seen. In terms of West Ham's managerial situation, question marks seem to be hanging over Allardyce already following the defeat to Tottenham. The ex-Bolton coach is the bookies' favourite to be sacked next.

The club made it clear prior to the start of the season that they intend to play more attractive football this season, and the £12m capture of Enner Valencia appeared to show that intent. The Ecuadorian World Cup star played nine minutes of the Hammers' match against Spurs after coming on as a substitute. There were some suggestions that the forward would start today, but Allardyce has opted to place him on the bench yet again.

Allardyce was impressed with Cheikhou Kouyate's debut last weekend and as a result, the summer signing keeps his place in the midfield for this afternoon's encounter. The Senegalese player seemed to run himself ragged at Upton Park, so it will be interesting to see how he fares against Palace's compact defence today.

Around 15 minutes to go until kickoff and West Ham have given a glimpse of their team's warm-up.

VINE: Time for a bit of finishing #CPLWHU #COYI https://t.co/IHXhrq8Hfm — West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) August 23, 2014

So, how do you see this one turning out? Palace won this fixture by a single goal last season and I expect it to be a tight affair once again. Perhaps a similar scoreline will work in the Eagles' favour this afternoon, but a draw would not be a surprise.

There's some injury news for Palace before the game even begins. Joe Ledley picked up a problem during the warm-up, so Stuart O'Keefe has taken his place.

KICKOFF! We're underway at Selhurst Park! West Ham kicking from left to right.

Noble gets an early chance to make an impact for West Ham as he whips the ball into the box from a free kick, but Hangeland is able to head clear. It's a quick start from the Hammers.

The Hammers get another free kick after Hangeland brings down new boy Zarate in a central position around 12 yards outside the box, but Noble's ball towards the far post comes to nothing after referee Mark Clattenburg awards a free kick to Palace following a foul in the box.

At the other end, Martin Kelly, who recently signed from Liverpool, surges into the box after receiving he ball from Chamakh. The defender drives to the byline and gets the cross in, but West Ham are able to clear for a corner.

From the corner, Campbell connects with the ball and heads it to ground towards the goal, but West Ham goalkeeper Adrian is able to collect as it bounces on his right side. O'Brien appeared to suffer a knock during the corner and receives treatment, but the Hammers player is okay to continue.

All the play seems to be in the midfield areas at the moment. Neither side are able to find that clinical touch in the final third, but it's early days at Selhurst Park.

West Ham put some pressure on the home side as Cole plays the ball to Zarate, who tries to weave his way through Palace shirts on the edge of the box. He gets a shot in, but it's blocked and gets booted out of the box.

Downing goes to ground after a low tackle from Jedinak. The former Liverpool man is looking for a free kick, but Clattenburg is having none of it. However, replays show that Downing was clipped by the Palace captain.

At the other end, the ball is crossed into the box from the right side of the area, but Adrian jumps high to gather the ball and prevent any danger.

Almost a chance for the home side! Bolasie crosses the ball into the box to find Chamakh, who chests it down to Jedinak, who then goes for the shot, but Cresswell is able to block its path. The Palace skipper could have done better with the time he had, but the scoreline remains goalless.

Both goalkeepers have been involved in the first 15 minutes of this game, but they've hardly been tested with neither side attacking the crosses into the area.

O'Brien lofts the ball towards Cole in the box. The forward manages to get a head onto it, but Speroni is able to collect the ball with ease.

O'Keefe, who was only put into the team after the warm-up, appears to be in pain after Zarate clatters into him. After seeking some treatment, the Palace player is able to return to the pitch.

Palace's compact defence is playing a role again today as they continue to frustrate the visiting side. Allardyce's men are going to need to find some quality in that final third in order to get a goal here.

CHANCE! Some impressive play down the right-hand side leads to an opportunity for the Hammers as Cole finds the end of a cross into the box. He manages to bring it down for his teammates and a shot is unleashed, but it gets deflected wide.

CHANCE! It's all West Ham at the moment, with Downing getting a lot of joy down that right-hand side. A corner comes in and it flies towards Zarate, who heads the ball towards goal, but it falls into the hands of Speroni. The Hammers forward should have done a lot better with that opportunity.

West Ham continue to pile on the pressure, but Zarate's poor touch is too heavy as it's squared to him in the box and it goes out of play. The summer signing is left with his head in his hands.

Palace get a half-chance at the other end as the ball is played over the top with Campbell in mind, but Adrian is able to get his hands to it first and dispel the danger.

The hosts are pressing higher on their opponents, which is allowing their defence to have a bit of a break, but at the moment, they are struggling to find create any attacking opportunities.

West Ham have had two corners within as many minutes. The first of which is delivered into the area from Downing, but it proves to be ineffective, while the next is taken short and gets cleared.

Well, that's a goal to be proud of! Zarate, who was placed in the side following a shoulder injury to Nolan, gets his first Premier League goal for the Hammers. After the corner gets cleared, Noble's shot gets blocked and deflected towards the outside of the box where Zarate slices the ball on the volley into the top corner.

West Ham double their lead and it's Stewart Downing who gets on the scoresheet! The winger surges into the box from the right side and bends the ball around Speroni to find the back of the net and put the home side well and truly on the backfoot.

BOOKING! Tackles are flying in now and Winston Reid goes into the book for fouling Chamakh from behind. The West Ham player can't complain with that.

Palace get sloppy in their own half as a loose pass is intercepted by Vaz Te, who goes for power when he unleashes a shot at goal, but Speroni is able to push it away and then collect before anyone can latch onto the follow-up.

Palace seem desperate for this half to finish. They're play appears to have no direction at this point as they aim to regroup at the break.

The home side could have suffered a third blow when Cresswell crossed the ball into the box, but his effort just falls behind Cole, who is unable to get a shot away.

BOOKING! Tomkins is given a yellow card for bringing Bolasie to ground after the ball got away from him. The free kick is in dangerous territory...

It's a low delivery and the ball eventually falls to Delaney, who is open on the right, but he unleashes a shot into the side netting. He surely should have done much better, especially with the space he had.

West Ham head into the break with a two-goal lead and it's well deserved after they controlled the first half from the off. Palace are known for creating a brick wall for their opponents and while they were able to frustrate the visitors at times, two impressive goals from Zarate and Downing have shattered the home side's hopes.

Of course, there are 45 minutes left to go before we get a result, but judging from the first-half performance, you struggle to see where the attacking threat is going to come from. Fraizer Campbell and Marouane Chamakh rarely troubled Adrian and neither have been able to get much assistance in terms of quality deliveries so far.

However, West Ham are living dangerously with both centre-backs Tomkins and Reid on yellow cards. They'll have to be careful for the remainder of the match now, but with Downing getting plenty of space down the right, West Ham may be able to rely on their attacking intent to extend their lead.

Zarate appears to have slotted in well to the side after coming in to replace Nolan, and getting a goal on his debut will just boost his confidence further. For Palace, if they can strike early then there's a chance that this game could turn on its head. They will need much more possession in the second half, though.

RESTART! The home side get us underway for the second half. Can they get back into this game? Time will tell...

Palace show their intent instantly from the whistle by launching the ball up towards Campbell, but the former Cardiff City player is flagged offside.

At the other end, Clattenburg pulls Vaz Te to the side to have a word with the forward after he barges into Speroni, which delays the corner.

CHANCE! West Ham could have had an early third goal there after Speroni misses the ball completely from the corner kick. Tomkins tries to take advantage by heading the ball towards goal, but it bounces off the crossbar and Speroni is able to gather. A big let-off for Palace.

Well, well, well, how things can change in a moment! Palace could have been 3-0 down, but now it's game on after Jedinak's flick finds Chamakh in a central position in the area. The former Arsenal man takes one touch and then fires the ball into the back of the net within three minutes of the restart.

Palace try to pile on some pressure of their own by pressing their opponents and eventually get two corner kicks in quick succession. The home side get a free kick following a collision between Bolasie and Zarate, but the free kick comes to nothing for the home side.

The Eagles are playing with confidence now after getting on the scoresheet. Bannan manages to find space on the edge of the area and he drives into a central position to unleash a right-footed shot, but it head straight into the hands of Adrian.

West Ham are getting on the ball more now following Palace's spell of possession. However, neither side have been able to string many decent passes together to launch a meaningful attack.

Oh dear, Campbell is furious with himself after squandering a chance to draw level for Palace. The forward latches onto a poor clearance from West Ham. He surges into the area, but eventually loses his footing and falls over the ball in the box.

At the other end, West Ham go for the long-ball approach towards Vaz Te, but it fails to trouble Speroni as he comes out to gather.

Dear oh dear, after fighting their way back into the game, Palace give away a soft goal. Carlton Cole easily slots the ball past Speroni in the box after Delaney fails to clear the ball from a free kick high in West Ham's half. A long way to come back for the home side now.

West Ham look comfortable again after restoring their two-goal advantage. They may not be powering towards the final third, but Palace look too deflated right now to pose any real threat.

WEST HAM SUB! The visitors make their first change of the game as goalscorer Cole makes way for summer signing Diafra Sakho.

Sakho immediately earns a corner for his side after getting his shot towards goal deflected by Ward, but the set piece comes to nothing. However, it appears that Chamakh may have injured himself in the process as he goes down holding his left knee.

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS! The home side make two changes as Campbell leaves the field and is replaced with Gayle, while Bannan makes way for Williams.

At this stage of the game, West Ham seem content to just keep the ball and maintain their lead. Palace have around 20 minutes to get themselves back into the game for a second time, but the Hammers are doing well to keep possession.

Players take the opportunity to have a water break while Gayle is down injured, but the Palace forward seems okay to continue. Once play resumes, the Hammers try to move quickly down the left, but play breaks up and Palace get possession.

BOOKING! It's another yellow card for West Ham's defence as O'Brien lunges in during a surging run from Williams.

SAVE! After a flat period of play, Sakho launches a header towards the near post, but Speroni is able to punch the ball away.

It's another awkward moment for Palace as a free kick from West Ham almost results in the ball trickling into the near post, with Kouyate trying to knock the ball into the net with his body, but it doesn't come off.

There's 10 minutes plus stoppage time left to play, but it appears that West Ham will see out this match with ease. As mentioned earlier, Allardyce's men seem happy to just soak up any pressure.

It's a decent block from Reid in West Ham's box as a shot comes from the right side of the area. Palace are running out of time to get their first points on the board this season.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Both sides make changes as West Ham's goalscorer Zarate comes off for Poyet, while Murray comes onto the pitch in place of O'Keefe.

Palace keep trying, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen for the home side. Williams wins a free kick for the Eagles, but Jedinak's effort is headed clear. Moments later, Palace swing the ball into the area after knocking it back and forth outside the area, but Reid is there to clear any danger.

Williams has looked zippy since he came on, but once again that lack of clinical edge in the box is letting Palace down. Not long to go before West Ham take all three points at Selhurst Park.

BOOKING! The frustration gets to Jedinak as he pushes a player in annoyance, and gets a yellow card for it.

WEST HAM SUB! Goalscorer Downing makes his way off the pitch and gets replaced by Diame.

Four additional minutes will be played, but play has fallen flat at Selhurst Park. It appears that the fans have also accepted the result as plenty are seen walking out of the stadium before the final whistle goes.

SAVE! Murray is defied by Adrian in the final few minutes of the clash after edging close to goal and firing a shot at the near left post, but the goalkeeper is able to knock the ball away.

So there we have it. West Ham head back to Upton Park with three away points! Pressure seemed to be put on Allardyce's shoulders after his side lost to Spurs last weekend, but a win at Selhurst Park should alleviate any doubts for the time being.

It was a disappointing match for Palace as they struggled to make a significant impact at their home ground. Not only do they need a permanent manager in place, but you would think that a few signings would also be helpful.

Don't forget to check out Sports Mole's match report from the action at Selhurst Park here. Until next time, goodbye!