Crystal Palace finish on high for Alan Pardew

Crystal Palace 1 Swansea 0: Marouane Chamakh fired a rare goal to complete Alan Pardew’s fairytale return to Crystal Palace, but it was a bitter-sweet experience for the Moroccan, who later had to be helped off with a hamstring injury.

Palace could have scored more during a dominant second half, but Swansea keeper Lukasz Fabianski made some fine saves.

Did you know?

Marouane Chamakh had went 1,008 minutes without a Premier League goal before yesterday.

The goal came in the 58th minute when the lively Jason Puncheon floated in a long free-kick into the left side of the penalty area where Scott Dann rose high to nod the ball towards the spot where Chamakh was waiting.

The unmarked Moroccan striker took the assist on his chest and directed it downwards before taking advantage of Swansea’s absent defenders to prod home.

Wilfried Zaha tormented Swansea as Palace poured forward in search of a second, but Swansea defended stubbornly and occasionally counter-attacked themselves. A turn and shoot from Marvin Emnes was their best effort.

CRYSTAL PALACE:

Hennessey, Ward, Dann, Hangeland, Souare, Puncheon, Jedinak, McArthur (Murray 36), Zaha, Chamakh (Mutch 66), Bolasie (Campbell 82).

SWANSEA:

Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Bartley, Richards, Cork, Britton (Grimes 70), Dyer (Barrow 64), Emnes, Montero (Gorre 84), Gomis.

Referee:

Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)