FA Cup Match Report; Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Crystal Palace

Bolton Wanderers held Crystal Palace to a 0-0 draw in the F.A Cup with an impressive display, as Sam Allardyce returned to his old side.

The foggy mist, which descended upon the Macron Stadium, must have played into the stereotypical idea of the north to the travelling southern Palace supporters.

Moments before Allardyce stepped foot back into his old dugout, however, the fog dispersed as if the ex-England boss was a celestial being who was stepping foot back at his spiritual home.

He could not pull off a divine intervention for his side though, as they were unable to grab a goal to put them into the fourth round of the F.A Cup.

Bolton made themselves known to the Premier League opposition, from the get-go, with winger James Henry especially putting Palace’s defence to shame with dazzling runs and crosses.

Henry's 8th minute shot forced a good save from Palace keeper, Julian Speroni, whose 389th appearance marked him as the highest capped Crystal Palace keeper of all time. 

In response, Palace’s Frazier Campbell played a clever back-heel which fed in Loic Remy, whose snapped effort on the half-volley kissed the post and went wide.

Surprisingly the Frenchman was taken off at half-time, with Yohan Cabaye coming into midfield. Sam Allardyce cited Remy’s lack of game-time for the substitution.

Allardyce bemoaned the lacklustre display from the Eagles in the second half, as it was Wanderers would truly tested the opposition with well-worked pieces of interplay.

The biggest shock that Bolton Wanderers ever got was the gun-like bangs which sporadically came from the travelling Palace fans setting off flash-bangs, something the FA is sure to investigate.

Bolton gave a massive bang of their own, when Josh Vela’s 63rd-minute effort cracked the ball against the post with his strong headed effort.

Bolton hassled and hurried, but never could find the net. The resilience of Bolton Wanderers have earned them a replay at Selhust Park.