Hello everyone,
I have always wanted to be a sports writer since an early age and decided to take up Givemesport's challenge/invitation to become a writer for them. I have applied with the following article.
I would appreciate your feedback on what I have submitted below as my initial article-come-application.
Thank-you.
So, what will a new year bring the teams that competed in this fixture? What will both teams take forward. Will the start of the new year, and the second half of the season be any different for these teams?
Well, first of all, let's just state that, in the case of Crystal Palace, it has been a momentous year. Alan Pardew took over the club when it was still reeling from the exit of Tony Pulis at the end of the 2013/14 season. Almost one year on to the day, the club went in to this game in fifth position. Two recent draws preventing them from probably reaching the dizzy heights of third, but fifth place it is to be going in to this fixture against a Chelsea side whom they beat at Stamford Bridge earlier on in the season.
Whilst Palace have been one of a lot of teams to beat Chelsea this season, this was at the start of the Chelsea malaise and apparent downing-of-tools-come-strike that would eventually lead to the exit of the Special One, once again, from the seat of the Chelsea king - a move that even last week was being protested by Jose's biggest fan club who will never forget the good times that the Special One had at the Bridge during the two spells of his at the club. It was during this match that we started seeing signs of the Chelsea of old. Whilst not at their best, it was a clear considerable improvement, especially from one of the seemingly biggest strikers (not in the goal-scoring sense) over what has been a very challenging first-half of the season for Chelsea.
Going in to this game, there was a sense that maybe - just maybe - Chelsea went in to the game as favourites as acknowledged by the Palace manager, Alan Pardew, in the lead up to the game. This is something that has irked the Selhurst faithful, but if truth be told, everyone associated with Palace knew what the state of play was for Eagles going in to the game. No Wickham, Cabaye, or Bolasie. Arguably the three most important players in their positions all missing through injury. Also, the lack of strength in depth, particularly in attacking areas had led to the Eagles' squad being severely stretched over the festive period of 2015. This against a Chelsea squad/team who, on it's best days, can beat anybody.
So, the match was played out in what was quite stalemate-like manner with nothing of note really happening for either side. This was the case until, against the run of play, Chelsea were to score. A decent goal as it happened, and it showed signs that Fabregas, the creator, and Costa the assister, and Oscar the scorer that this team was about to play to a level which contributed to them winning the title last season. Despite this goal meaning a lot more possession for Chelsea, Palace managed to prevent any further damage until Willian, the one constant bright spark in Chelsea's season to score what is now a trademark goal from outside the area that sailed in to the top corner of the net beyond Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey who isn't exactly short. That goal just killed Palace off, and a third was to follow soon after. Palace offered next to nothing, and the highlight of the weekend for Palace was when Alan Pardew did his post-match interview at the end of the game and wiped his nose as a gesture whilst stating that this was just a bad day for Palace, and they just had to wipe their noses and carry on. Humorous, and something which was to be made fun of in a jovial manner by the Match-of-the-Day 2 team on the BBC in the UK.
What did we learn from the game? Well, as stated earlier, Palace missed key players and it showed how much they rely on them, and how well they have played so far this season. It also showed that they desperately need another striker.
More worryingly, and what needs to be questioned is the performance of Chelsea in comparison to Mourinho's tenure. It was a vast improvement. Mikel, whilst not played this season so far under Mourinho was almost impeccable bar a few challenges for which he was very lucky to remain on the field of play for. The other players mentioned earlier shone out and, whilst not at their best, proved what everyone could see was obviously the case beforehand. For whatever reason, they were not playing for Mourinho any longer.
Overall, Chelsea had an excellent first half of 2015 winning the league, and a terrible period from August. From now on, it looks like 2016 will be more akin to last season than the last months of Mourinho's reign. Palace have had a terrific 2015 with some of the best records in the league all year such as one of the best away teams in terms of wins from home. 2016 will require more improvements in the team at Selhurst if they are to carry on their momentous rise and maintain this most memorable period in the history of the club. We'll see how both teams fare from hereonin.
I have always wanted to be a sports writer since an early age and decided to take up Givemesport's challenge/invitation to become a writer for them. I have applied with the following article.
I would appreciate your feedback on what I have submitted below as my initial article-come-application.
Thank-you.
So, what will a new year bring the teams that competed in this fixture? What will both teams take forward. Will the start of the new year, and the second half of the season be any different for these teams?
Well, first of all, let's just state that, in the case of Crystal Palace, it has been a momentous year. Alan Pardew took over the club when it was still reeling from the exit of Tony Pulis at the end of the 2013/14 season. Almost one year on to the day, the club went in to this game in fifth position. Two recent draws preventing them from probably reaching the dizzy heights of third, but fifth place it is to be going in to this fixture against a Chelsea side whom they beat at Stamford Bridge earlier on in the season.
Whilst Palace have been one of a lot of teams to beat Chelsea this season, this was at the start of the Chelsea malaise and apparent downing-of-tools-come-strike that would eventually lead to the exit of the Special One, once again, from the seat of the Chelsea king - a move that even last week was being protested by Jose's biggest fan club who will never forget the good times that the Special One had at the Bridge during the two spells of his at the club. It was during this match that we started seeing signs of the Chelsea of old. Whilst not at their best, it was a clear considerable improvement, especially from one of the seemingly biggest strikers (not in the goal-scoring sense) over what has been a very challenging first-half of the season for Chelsea.
Going in to this game, there was a sense that maybe - just maybe - Chelsea went in to the game as favourites as acknowledged by the Palace manager, Alan Pardew, in the lead up to the game. This is something that has irked the Selhurst faithful, but if truth be told, everyone associated with Palace knew what the state of play was for Eagles going in to the game. No Wickham, Cabaye, or Bolasie. Arguably the three most important players in their positions all missing through injury. Also, the lack of strength in depth, particularly in attacking areas had led to the Eagles' squad being severely stretched over the festive period of 2015. This against a Chelsea squad/team who, on it's best days, can beat anybody.
So, the match was played out in what was quite stalemate-like manner with nothing of note really happening for either side. This was the case until, against the run of play, Chelsea were to score. A decent goal as it happened, and it showed signs that Fabregas, the creator, and Costa the assister, and Oscar the scorer that this team was about to play to a level which contributed to them winning the title last season. Despite this goal meaning a lot more possession for Chelsea, Palace managed to prevent any further damage until Willian, the one constant bright spark in Chelsea's season to score what is now a trademark goal from outside the area that sailed in to the top corner of the net beyond Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey who isn't exactly short. That goal just killed Palace off, and a third was to follow soon after. Palace offered next to nothing, and the highlight of the weekend for Palace was when Alan Pardew did his post-match interview at the end of the game and wiped his nose as a gesture whilst stating that this was just a bad day for Palace, and they just had to wipe their noses and carry on. Humorous, and something which was to be made fun of in a jovial manner by the Match-of-the-Day 2 team on the BBC in the UK.
What did we learn from the game? Well, as stated earlier, Palace missed key players and it showed how much they rely on them, and how well they have played so far this season. It also showed that they desperately need another striker.
More worryingly, and what needs to be questioned is the performance of Chelsea in comparison to Mourinho's tenure. It was a vast improvement. Mikel, whilst not played this season so far under Mourinho was almost impeccable bar a few challenges for which he was very lucky to remain on the field of play for. The other players mentioned earlier shone out and, whilst not at their best, proved what everyone could see was obviously the case beforehand. For whatever reason, they were not playing for Mourinho any longer.
Overall, Chelsea had an excellent first half of 2015 winning the league, and a terrible period from August. From now on, it looks like 2016 will be more akin to last season than the last months of Mourinho's reign. Palace have had a terrific 2015 with some of the best records in the league all year such as one of the best away teams in terms of wins from home. 2016 will require more improvements in the team at Selhurst if they are to carry on their momentous rise and maintain this most memorable period in the history of the club. We'll see how both teams fare from hereonin.
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