Crystal Palace 1-1 Bournemouth: Scott Dann header earns dramatic point

Scott Dann scored an injury-time header as Crystal Palace earned a dramatic point at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Josh King had given the Cherries a well-deserved lead after just 11 minutes before Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye saw his penalty saved by Artur Boruc.

Eddie Howe's away side were hanging on for long periods in the second half but centre-back Dann powered home a Jason Puncheon cross in the third minute of stoppage time to finally reward Palace's pressure.

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew gave a Premier League debut to club-record £27m signing Christian Benteke, while Bournemouth were unchanged from last week's 1-0 loss at West Ham United.

The Cherries struck first when King controlled Harry Arter's pass on his chest, before expertly firing past goalkeeper Steve Mandanda and into the bottom corner.

But Bournemouth barely had time to compose themselves when Benteke was fouled by Charlie Daniels inside the area, and referee Mike Dean wasted no time in pointing to the spot.

Cabaye stepped forward, but his effort was comfortably saved by Boruc as the France international spurned the chance to draw level.

Jordon Ibe and Callum Wilson were proving a real handful for the home side, forcing Palace to concede a number of unnecessary free-kicks out in wide positions, something which would continue to be a theme of the opening 45 minutes.

Pardew's half-time team-talk appeared to do the trick as Palace began with far more intensity, but Dann wasted a good opportunity with a bullet header.

It was very much a backs-to-the-wall job for Eddie Howe's men, as the Palace pressure showed no sign of relenting, with Connor Wickham blasting over the bar when well placed to score.

Ryan Fraser managed to make a rare break for Bournemouth, but he was wrongly flagged for offside, despite the replays clearly showing he was being played on.

With Pardew feeling the need for even more urgency, Tottenham target Wilfried Zaha was introduced along with Lee Chung-yong and the pair injected pace and directness to keep the Bournemouth defence on their toes.

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A stinging shot from Andros Townsend was well held by Boruc and minutes later, Zaha really should have scored, but was unable to adjust his feet to flick the ball over the line.

It was a mixed afternoon for Benteke - who after winning that first-half penalty, had little effect on the game and when he fell to the ground in theatrical fashion, Townsend was unable to capitalise and blasted into the side netting.

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The man-of-the-match award was by no means a certainty in this game, but Boruc was doing all he could to claim that honour and pulled off an incredible point blank save from Lee, who looked to have scored, but found the Poland international in inspired form.   

But, with just seconds remaining, Dann - who had spent the final minutes as an auxiliary forward - came to the rescue, heading in Puncheon's cross as Boruc was finally beaten.

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Player Ratings

Crystal Palace: Mandanda (7), Ward (6), Dann (7), Delaney (5.5), Souare (6), Townsend (6),  McArthur (5.5), Cabaye (6), Puncheon (6), Benteke (6), Wickham(6).

Subs used: Kelly (5), Lee (6), Zaha (6.5)

Bournemouth: Boruc (8), Smith (7), Francis (7), Cook (7), Daniels (7), Ibe (6.5), Surman (6), Arter (7), Fraser (6.5), King (7), Wilson (7)

Subs used: Ake (5), Gosling (5), Grabban (5)

Man of the match: Artur Boruc