Crystal Palace rounded off their Premier League season with a well-earned 1-0 win over Swansea City at Selhurst Park this afternoon.
The first half lacked any real clear-cut chances, with Yannick Bolasie and Jack Cork coming closest to making a breakthrough for their respective sides.
Marouane Chamakh's close-range finish shortly before the hour mark proved to be the difference in the end, as the Swans failed to truly trouble their opponents to fall to a disappointing final-day defeat.
Here, Sports Mole looks back at how the 90 minutes of action unfolded in South London.
Match statistics
CRYSTAL PALACE
Shots: 13
On target: 7
Possession: 48%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 22
SWANSEA CITY
Shots: 5
On target: 2
Possession: 52%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 13
Was the result fair?
On the basis of their more adventurous attacking play, there can be no real arguments suggesting that Palace did not deserve this victory. The first half struggled to truly get going, with Jason Puncheon, Bolasie and Cork trying their luck with the only three real attempts on goal, while the second 45 also proved to be a slow burner.
It was the home side who took the game by the scruff of the neck, though, firing away seven attempts on goal compared to Swansea's two. Lukasz Fabianski, who needed a clean sheet to earn the Golden Glove award, did not have a great deal to do in fairness, but it was certainly Alan Pardew's men who showed more initiative to get the job done.
Crystal Palace's performance
Pardew has used these last couple of matches to experiment with his side a little ahead of next season, and he was quick to change things around slightly with a quarter of the game played. The largely ineffective James McArthur was hauled off so that Glenn Murray could add some additional attacking threat in an altered lineup. The move did not immediately pay dividends, yet it was the Eagles who remained relatively on top throughout thanks to their drive and determination.
Today's win makes it 10 from 18 for Pardew since taking charge of the club at the turn of the year. To put that into some context, former boss Neil Warnock claimed three from his 16 games at the helm. All in all it means that Palace end the season in far better shape than they started it, with Tony Pulis departing on the eve of the campaign back in August to leave the South London outfit struggling from the off. This afternoon may have lacked the entertainment value, but there is no denying that Pardew has turned this side into a real threat, which can only bode well for next season.
Swansea City's performance
It would be harsh to over analyse Swansea's performance this afternoon, having named a fairly weak side for the trip to Selhurst Park. With Ki Sung-Yeung already confirmed out due to a minor knee operation, Wales internationals Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor were themselves left out from the start, while Gylfi Sigurdsson was also omitted from the squad altogether.
That is the core group of this side left out, and it was clear to tell from their showing which lacked any real attacking impetus. Cork's first-half header, which was directed straight into the hands of Wayne Hennessey, was pretty much as good as things got for the visitors. Despite the disappointing defeat, nothing should be taken away from what has been a truly exceptional season for the Welsh side. Garry Monk has defied all expectations, and with another summer ahead of him, there is a real chance to build something special next year.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Yannick Bolasie: There were not too many contenders for this accolade in truth, in a game which failed to provide any standout moments. Bolasie's work-rate was highly credible, though, with his couple of attempts on goal - both after cutting in from the left - helping to keep supporters on their feet.
Biggest gaffe
Joe Ledley was missing for the home side this afternoon, while fellow Wales regulars Taylor and Williams were also absent from the matchday 18. You get the impression, therefore, that Dragons boss Chris Coleman had a little word with both managers in the build-up to this game. It was a move that backfired for Monk in particular, whose side looked shaky at the back on more than a few occasions.
Referee performance
A quiet afternoon for Craig Pawson, who did not have to reach into his pocket until the final 10 minutes. Murray appealed for a free kick right on the edge of the box when brought down by Federico Fernandez, which would have automatically led to a red card for the Spaniard, but he appeared to get his decision to wave play on correct.
Daniel Lewis
