Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew lavished his praise on his side after they earned a point against in-form Bournemouth.
The former Newcastle manager, who has impressively guided the Eagles to fifth in the Premier League with almost half the season gone, spoke highly of his players and of Eddie Howe’s men, who have gone six games unbeaten.
Pardew told Sky Sports:
It was a brilliant [performance]; this Bournemouth team, they do work you. They were spent at the end. That was probably our best spell in the last 10 minutes when they had nothing to give, they had given everything for Eddie. It was a fantastic effort from them. They had limited us to very few chances, we had to work very hard to earn a draw and I’m very pleased with it. We would have liked to have created a little bit more, but the work rate for both teams was unbelievable. We are both going to suffer in two days’ time, but that’s Bournemouth, they are really going to test you.
Defenders Scott Dann and Damien Delaney both suffered knocks in the dying embers of the game but had to play through the pain barrier as Palace had already made three substitutions.
The pair are doubtful for the game against Swansea City at Selhurst Park tomorrow, but Pardew was full of admiration:
I didn’t have that option [to substitute them], they were fine, they are a couple of warriors, They played well today, it was a very difficult game, tactically, physically, mentally. We need to rest.
Connor Wickham and Yannick Bolasie missed the Boxing Day festivities through injury and are both expected to be out for around a month, but loan forward Patrick Bamford could return for tomorrow’s clash against the Swans.
Pardew admitted that his squad is looking depleted because of injuries but will still be hoping his side can cement their lofty position in the league table with three points tomorrow.
