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Mid-season report: Crystal Palace

Sports Mole looks back at Crystal Palace's first half of the 2014-15 Premier League season.

Tony Pulis led Crystal Palace to an 11th-place finish in the Premier League last season, but the experienced manager left his position at Selhurst Park just before the start of the campaign.

Neil Warnock returned as head coach towards the end of August, with the 66-year-old taking charge of the London side for the second time.

Warnock's second spell at the helm did not last long, however, with chairman Steve Parish relieving the Englishman of his duties on December 27.

Here, Sports Mole has taken a look at how Palace have fared at the midway point of the Premier League season.

August

It wasn't the easiest of starts for Palace as they made the trip to Arsenal for their first league game of the season. Under caretaker boss Keith Millen, Palace actually took the lead, but eventually lost 2-1 courtesy of a stoppage-time winner from Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

Millen was again in charge for the home match against West Ham United, who won 3-1 to make it back-to-back league defeats at the start of the campaign.

Laurent Koscielny scores the equaliser for Arsenal against Crystal Palace on August 16, 2014© AFP

The League Cup brought a welcome distraction as Palace won 3-0 at Walsall on August 26 - courtesy of a hat-trick from Dwight Gayle - to book their spot in the second round of the competition.

Warnock was confirmed as the new manager before the trip to Newcastle United, while Wilfried Zaha also returned to the club on loan from Manchester United.

Newcastle took a 3-2 lead in the 88th minute at St James' Park, but Zaha scored a 95th-minute equaliser to secure Palace their first Premier League point of the season.

September

After three games, Palace were still without a league win and that became four on September 13, when Burnley secured a point in a goalless draw at Selhurst Park.

At the fifth time of asking, however, Palace picked up three points in the league as goals from Mile Jedinak, Fraizer Campbell and Yannick Bolasie secured a 3-2 win at an out-of-sorts Everton.

Fraizer Campbell of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring his team's second goal uring the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on September 21, 2014 © Getty Images

Palace were on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline in their next match, however, as Newcastle United won at Selhurst Park in the League Cup.

The month ended in a positive fashion, however, as Warnock led his side to a 2-0 win against Leicester City – making it an unbeaten league month for the club.

October

Palace's positive run came to an end at the start of October as they lost 2-0 at Hull City, before Chelsea won 2-1 at Selhurst Park.

The blip came to an end at West Bromwich Albion, however, as Palace secured a point in a 2-2 draw.

Jedinak was starring for the capital outfit, but their lack of goals was a worry. Campbell was adding here and there, but Gayle was struggling for first-team football.

Palace were still out of the relegation zone, however, and Warnock had seemingly beaten off some criticism to get the supporters onside.

November

November started in the worst possible fashion, however, as Sunderland, who themselves were struggling for victories, won 3-1 at Selhurst Park. That defeat came with a further price as skipper Jedinak was dismissed and therefore suspended for the trip to Manchester United one week later.

Palace frustrated United for long spells of the clash on November 8, but a second-half effort from Juan Mata made it five without a win for Palace and the pressure was starting to build on Warnock.

Neil Warnock, manager of Crystal Palace looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on November 23, 2014© Getty Images

The end of the month was to bring some relief, however, as the capital outfit recorded a 3-1 win over Liverpool to move clear of the bottom three.

Palace then travelled to an in-form Swansea City side at the end of the month and took a point from Wales to cap a solid end to November.

December

Palace's disappointing home form continued at the start of December as they lost 1-0 against Aston Villa, but four days later, they secured a point at White Hart Lane.

The clash against Tottenham Hotspur will be remembered for Bolasie's sensational piece of individual skill, while the attacker's strong form led to suggestions that clubs were preparing January moves.

Mile Jedinak of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team's third goal with team mates during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park on November 23, 2014© Getty Images

Stoke were the visitors to Selhurst Park on December 13, and the two sides played out a 1-1 draw. One week later, Palace lost 3-0 at the champions Manchester City, however, to leave them in 17th spot in the table.

Palace were then beaten 3-1 by Southampton on Boxing Day, with that result ultimately leading to the sacking of Warnock following reports that he had lost the dressing room.

As a result, Millen was again placed in temporary control for the trip to Queens Park Rangers on December 28, which ended in a goalless draw. As it stands, Palace are without a manager, but Newcastle United's Alan Pardew is being strongly linked with a return to Selhurst Park.

Position at start of 2015: 18th

Star player so far: Mile Jedinak

Must do better: Wilfried Zaha

Where they need to strengthen in January: Attack

Mid-season grade: D

To see Palace's remaining fixtures in 2014-15, click here.

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Caretaker manager Keith Millen of Crystal Palace looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park on November 9, 2013
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