West Brom 2-2 Crystal Palace
- 25 October 2014 – The Hawthorns
- Attendance – 24,738
- Referee – Mark Clattenburg
- Goals – Hangeland (16), Jedinak (Pen 45), Anichebe (51) Berahino (Pen 90+3)
- Bookings – Gardener, Sessegnon, Jedinak, Blanco
- Top rated Palace player – Mile Jedinak
Crystal Palace made the trip north to the Midlands to face Alan Irvine’s West Brom side who were highly spirited having forced Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United into a 2-2 draw, Baggies’ fans were about to have a sense of déjà vu.
Three changes for the Eagles after the defeat to Chelsea, Wilfired Zaha started the game replacing Jason Puncheon, Marouane Chamakh replaced the injured James McArthur and Adrian Mariappa replaced the suspended Damien Delaney. Alan Irvine named and unchanged XI for the visit of Neil Warnock’s side.
The game started fairly evenly with lively winger Yannick Bolasie going close early on, Marouane Chamakh who scored 2 goals against West Brom last season helped keep the visitor’s pressure up on the home side. The pressure eventually told. A Bolasie corner was headed straight at Ben Foster by Norwegian centre back Brede Hangeland calmly followed up to put Palace in the lead.
Palace looked in good value for their lead and went pressing on for a second. They were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Craig Dawson was adjudged to have fouled Wilfred Zaha in the box but Mark Clattenburg waived away the protests. West Brom didn’t get away with it for a second time however, as Sebastian Pocognoli chopped Yannick Bolasie down right before half time which Palace skipper Mile Jedinak converted for his 3rd goal of the season and put Palace in control.
Victor Anichebe replaced Sessegnon at half time, a substitution which helped change the landscape of the game for the home side who had failed to really challenge the Palace defence in the first half. It didn’t take for the former Everton man to make an impact as he quickly pulled a goal back for West Brom in somewhat controversial circumstances.
Craig Dawson jumped with his elbow catching Julian Speroni in the side of the head and incapacitating the Argentine, the goal although initially ruled out stood and gave the Baggies a foot hold in the game. The Eagles gaffer, Neil Warnock, later referred to the foul as “assault” and was left bemused by the fact the Albion left back was still on the pitch.
Dawson had smashed him in the face and I am lost for words. No wonder Julian is a bit groggy. He wanted to carry on.
Neil Warnock on the incident
Julian Speroni was forced off the pitch looking relatively dazed which gave Wayne Hennessey his first Premier League start in a palace shirt. Jason Puncheon replaced Wilfried Zaha and Adlene Guedioura replaced Marouane Chamakh in an effort to repel the home sides intense pressure.
Palace, once again, fell fowl of a poor decision after West Brom were awarded a 93rd minute penalty, after Mile Jedinak was penalised for a foul on Victor Anichebe, although it appeared the Australian took the ball. Saido Berahino who had been quiet all game stepped up to earn the home side a point.
