Damien Delaney pumps a long free-kick into the area and Mile Jedinak gets a good header back across goal, but Bournemouth manage to clear their lines. Not vintage stuff this.

Shouts for handball as Matt Ritchie's cross strikes Pape Souare, but waved away. Eventually Bournemouth get a cross in and Dan Gosling's effort is deflected and loops over. Then a bit of a palaver as the match ball has to be changed for the second time as it's not pumped up enough. You had one job...

I can't get used to seeing a good old-fashioned, no-nonsense centre-half like Simon Francis wearing a shade of pink that looks like it could have come out of Katy Perry's wardrobe. But Francis seems unperturbed, getting a good header in to clear Mile Jedinak's cross.

Good courage in the wall as the ball is tapped short for Matt Ritchie to unleash an absolute howitzer, but it cannons into a chest in the wall and away. That will sting on a cold night like this...

Now then, is this a chance? Dan Gosling surges towards the Palace area and has his heels clipped by James McArthur. Free kick in dangerous territory...

It's not been a classic so far. We're now past 100 scoreless minutes of Palace-Bournemouth action this season...

Image source, Reuters

Slapstick moment as Wilfried Zaha kicks the ball into his own face trying to keep it in play.

It's settled down a bit after that early flurry. Bournemouth looking composed in possession, it's the visitors who have had most of the ball so far.

Now Bournemouth have a corner, but that too comes to naught as Marc Pugh hits it behind.

Big chance early doors! Wilfried Zaha scampers down the right and fires in a low fizzer, but the shot is over the top under some pressure from the Bournemouth defender. The corner comes to nothing...

Let's go! Crystal Palace in their usual red and blue, Bournemouth in the aforementioned monstrosity...

Image source, Reuters

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Adebayor is snuggled up with about three jackets and a hot water bottle on the bench. It is a chilly night...

Oh good lord, what on earth is that Bournemouth change strip? It's hot pink!

The players are heading out of the tunnel. A last sniff of some smelling salts for Harry Arter. Old school...

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe was also in no mood to take tonight's opponents lightly.

"This is another league game of huge importance to us," explained Howe. "Our away form has been very good and we've been really pleased with how we have travelled on the road. We've become, touch wood, harder to beat and much more resolute. 

"But tonight is certainly going to examine us. Crystal Palace at home in a midweek game is as tough as it comes, I feel. Whoever they play, they have quality in all positions."

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew says it's a "big game for both clubs".

"Bournemouth have picked up," he said. "They're a side that we know can trip you up, they've had some big results.

"There were some signs against City, we carried them through to Spurs and then we beat Stoke. We need to rubber-stamp that with a Bournemouth win."  

Image source, Reuters

It was, well, a bit rubbish, frankly.

Both sides huffed and puffed but there was precious little cutting edge as they played out a scrappy goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium.

I came in on Boxing Day for that...

Image source, PA

Let's play a game. You're Alan Pardew. Your side hasn't won in their last six matches. Your season is at a crossroads. But you've signed a player who you think could turn it around. Problem is, you're not quite sure how to get the best out of him. You need insight. You need expertise. Who do you call? 

Image source, Getty Images

"I will probably speak to Tim Sherwood," Pardew said. 

"I know from Tim that that there’s certain things that Adebayor works with and I’d be foolish to ignore them. He's a character that needs to be loved and I'm going to create an atmosphere that gives him the best chance of success."

Tim Sherwood: Player. Manager. Icon. Relationship guru.

Mind you, it's not just Palace who have been perusing the striker brochures during the transfer window. Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has already splurged £17m on strikers Benik Afobe and Lewis Grabban.

Afobe in particular has hit the ground running. After a glaring miss on debut, the former Arsenal youth-teamer has scored in his last two league games. He'll be looking to extend his hot streak tonight...

Image source, Getty Images