Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace: Cherries hold on for hard-earned point

AFC Bournemouth were denied a fourth consecutive victory as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace at the Vitality Stadium.

Two of the Premier League's form teams met for the first time in the top flight, but neither could find a breakthrough in a blustery Boxing Day meeting on the south coast.

Some of the best chances fell to Bournemouth's former Palace striker Glenn Murray, but he failed to impress as both sides felt the absence of key players.

Without the likes of Connor Wickham in attack, Palace laboured in front of goal and Bournemouth became the first team to keep a clean sheet at home against Alan Pardew's men since Leicester City two months earlier.

The draw took Bournemouth to 20 Premier League points before the half-way point in the season, and Eddie Howe must feel confident his men can avoid a relegation battle this season.

Palace, meanwhile, sit fifth, two points shy of the Champions League qualification berths.