Good afternoon everyone and welcome to our live coverage as Crystal Palace welcome travelling West Bromwich Albion to Selhurst Park on the opening day of the new Premier League season.

Finally, after what seems like an age, we are now back up and running in the top flight of English football. Both of these sides have endured difficult times during 2016 and today should prove an intriguing prospect as each club aims to find its feet again on an exciting opening day.

There was not much to choose between Palace and West Brom last campaign, given that they finished within touching distance of each other. Pardew only just about hung on to his seat at Selhurst Park following a tremendous run to the FA Cup final, but fans will find it hard to ignore their disastrous back-end of the Premier League season. Palace have claimed 11 Premier League points in 2016, which is fewer than any other side still in the top flight.

Much of Palace's problem's last season stemmed from some rather glaring inconsistencies and they will be aiming to put that right as soon as possible. The Eagles have lost 12 of their 19 Premier League matches so far this year, having been able to pick up just two wins and five draws.

What will have pleased Pardew, however, is how his side were able to respond with an impressive showing in the FA Cup, before being beaten by Manchester United in the final back in May. The south London club have been able to do some decent business during the summer transfer window. The acquisitions of Andros Townsend, James Tomkins and Steve Mandanda have added some extra depth to the squad. It's looking likely that both Mandanda and Tomkins will be unable to start for a few weeks, but the Eagles could give a full debut to Townsend this afternoon.

One difficult situation for Pardew to deal with in the early stages of the season is surely going to be the position of mercurial frontman Yannick Bolasie, who is thought to be on the radar of Everton. It will be interesting to see if Pardew still gives him the nod this afternoon as he certainly has the ability to turn a game on its head in an instant.

As for West Brom, pre-season has not been the most efficient as Pulis might have liked. The Baggies have been able to bring in just one player in the shape of Matt Phillips, while they are also suffering from injuries to key men in the shape of Chris Brunt and James Morrison.

Time for some team news now...

CRYSTAL PALACE STARTING XI: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Jedinak, Puncheon; Zaha, Lee, Townsend; Wickham

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBSTITUTES: Speroni, Kelly, Ledley, Cabaye, Bolasie, Ladapo, Anderson

WEST BROMWICH ALBION STARTING XI: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Evans; Gardner, Fletcher, Yacob, Phillips; Rondon, Berahino

WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBSTITUTES: Myhill; Morrison, McClean, Lambert, Leko, Field, Wilson

There we have it then, some standout news for both sides. Palace have indeed decided to give Townsend his first Premier League start for the club as he aims to supply some service to the ever-improving Connor Wickham who starts alone up top. The home side will also be looking to the creative qualities of Lee Chung-yong, but there is no starting place for France international Yohan Cabaye, who finds himself on the bench.

The big news for West Brom fans is that Saido Berahino starts alongside Salomon Rondon in attack, despite being the subject of bids from a number of clubs in recent weeks. It has been reported by several sources that Berahino has informed the Baggies that he plans to see out the remainder of his contract at the club so we might just get the chance to see that focused, incisive up-start we saw a couple of seasons ago. Travelling fans will also be pleased to hear that summer signing Phillips is to be handed his debut out on the flank.

Statistics dictate that we are in for an enthralling affair at Selhurst today - given that both sides have found the opening day of the campaign tough going in the past. Of all current Premier League teams to have played three or more opening weekend fixtures, West Brom have the lowest win ratio, having claimed just one victory in 10 season openers.

Having said that, Palace have not been fairing too well either in that regard. The Eagles have won just one of their last eight league openers on home soil. Added to that Pardew's charges have won only three of their last 13 home matches in the league against the Baggies so this fixture is likely going to be a difficult one to call.

Pulis has always been one for pragmatism and he will argue that his main goal last season was to secure the club's Premier League status in the wake of fierce competition for survival. You cannot, however, ignore that run of nine winless games his side went on at the back-end of last season. West Brom beat Manchester United on March 6 before failing to claim a single victory from their remaining nine fixtures. Some fans might argue that Pulis has much to prove this season after such a slump in form.

The West Brom boss has himself made clear that the close-season period has been one of frustration and the single addition of Phillips is unlikely to fill him with confidence going into the new campaign. You can't knock the coach, though, as he has come out fighting to ensure that his side can compete this campaign. Here is what he had to say prior to the game, according to BBC Sport:
"No, it is not a case of walking out or anything else. My aim is to try to get, over the next two weeks, five players in that will make a difference to this team.

"What if he [West Brom's new owner Guochuan Lai] sacks me? You don't know. That's a question that remains to be seen and to be answered. As far as I'm concerned I've got a job to do, I've got a year left and I'm really determined to try to get these players in which is ever so important for the club.

"We're well behind the game in that respect. We do need to start to get on the front foot. The club has been stagnant for a while; with new owners you hope and pray they'll give you the backing to push this club on."

Pardew has been similarly forthright in his ambitions for the coming season, insisting that the club's primary aim is to remain in the league come May next year: "The competition in the league means that teams like West Brom and ourselves will be looking at that 40 points for our first target. We didn't have enough depth or quality in the group [last term]. That's why those three players have come in - and hopefully two more."

We are set for a pretty glorious afternoon at Selhurst Park, as the club have been quick to make clear via Twitter:

The boys are out! #CPFC 🌞🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/IJBb6hpZGV — Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) 13 August 2016

Goals have often been hard to come by for Pulis and his charges in recent campaigns. West Brom have scored 53 goals in 56 Premier League games under their current coach. One man who might be able to help increase that statistic is the incoming Phillips, who is being given his league debut by the club this afternoon:

#WBA team v @CPFC: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Evans; Gardner, Fletcher (c), Yacob, Phillips; Rondon, Berahino pic.twitter.com/NtaHSUt76B — West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) 13 August 2016

One side-story to potentially watch out for today is the possibility of West Brom youngster Kane Wilson becoming the first player born in 2000 to feature for his club. At 16 years and 155 days old, he would also become the fourth-youngest league player of all time if brought on at Selhurst Park.

PREDICTION! So where do we see this fixture heading then? Palace's inclusion of Townsend should prove impactful down the flanks, but you feel that some star quality is possibly missing with both Cabaye and Bolasie on the bench. The hosts will be confident of bringing them on to good effect at some point in the contest and that could just swing it for the hosts. I'm going to back Palace for a slender 2-1 victory today.

Should Palace win today, it would be only their second victory in their last eight season openers held at Selhurst Park...

KICKOFF! West Brom get us underway here at Selhurst... The away side featuring in their black and white strip, while Palace are in their red and blue home kit.

It's the hosts who have the share of the early possession as they aim to make inroads down both flanks. Not too much to report as yet, but it has been the home side on the front foot thus far!

The early atmosphere has been absolutely electric with both sets of fans in full voice. As per usual, the Baggies look pretty hard to break down at the moment with Pulis's charges pressing hard when out of possession.

Rondon looks a touch miffed as he almost creates the first chance of the game. The ball is swung over from the right and the forward is able to beat the advances of Souare inside the box, but West Brom man cannot get his head to the ball to make the right sort of connection to test Hennessey.

OUCH! Wickham is trying to put his weight around in the opening minutes and he clatters needlessly into the path of McAuley in the centre of the pitch, leaving the West Brom man in a heap on the deck.

CLOSE! Great stuff now from West Brom who make an impressive foray forward. The ball is threaded through to Gardner on the left and he swings in an instinctive ball into the box for Rondon, who flicks a wonderful header towards goal only to be denied by the palms of Hennessey, who pushes the effort away for a corner.

The hosts aim to hit back this time through Zaha, who produces a marauding run down the left flank but is only able to put in a rather woeful cross into the box, where Foster comes out to gather with ease. Wickham doesn't see the fun in it though, as he stands with his hands on his hips in the middle of the area!

CHANCE! Almost an opener... Gardner, who put in that lovely cross earlier for Rondon, hacks down Townsend in a good position outside of the Baggies' area. The winger sends his free kick into the box, where Wickham glances a neat header just wide of the West Brom goal. Great movement from the forward, he looks bright early on.

Townsend is just starting to grow in stature in this fixture. This time he finds some space over on the right hand side, but his attempt going forward is thwarted by Evans who is surprisingly starting at left-back today.

Rondon shows all of his strength to beat off the challenge of Souare in the Palace box. The frontman then produces some wonderful hold-up work to pick out Berahino, although the youngster can do little more than fire a poor effort wide of the target from the edge of the area. This game has become quite narrow already and that might just favour Pulis and his boys.

CLOSE! The hosts aim to stretch things for the first time and the width is provided by Jedinak, who moves out to the left to find some space. He comes up with the goods to find a free Wickham inside the box, but the striker scuffs his effort and West Brom are dealt a reprieve. That was dangerous...

More minor signs of encouragement now for Palace, who again open things up down the flanks. This time Townsend uses his pace to beat Evans, only to send a tame cross into the box which is death with comfortably by Foster. Some slight indictions of life here now in South London!

Balls into the box appear most effective for the away side as things stand. Dawson stands over a free kick inside his own half, before lumping the ball long into the Palace area. Rondon completes the knockdown, although Dann steals in to hoof away at the vital moment. This hasn't been too pretty to be honest. We might have guessed that before kickoff, though.

Townsend is crying out for the ball whenever possible and he finally gets it inside the away half. Much he like he did at Spurs and Newcastle, he takes the ball forward and soon lashes wildly towards goal, where Foster sees the ball fly wide.

Phillips has been rather quiet on his debut. He finally gets the chance to make his mark just inside the area, although he is unable to bring the ball under control without using his arms. The referee spots it straight away and Palace get the free kick when things were looking a tad dangerous for the hosts.

McAuley is almost made to look a bit stupid as he skews a cross clear for a needless corner. The set-piece is aimed for Wickham, but the Albion defender soon makes amends by heading away the danger. Brutalist football at the moment, this!

These sides are just about cancelling each other out at the moment. Both managers seem to know each other a little too well. The first goal in this game will be vital and could lead to proceedings opening up a lot more. The Baggies are looking to squeeze Palace narrow whenever possible and it is just about working at the minute.

YELLOW CARD! Dawson gets caught in possession on the right and he in turn has to bring down Lee on the edge of the West Brom area.

The ball into the box from Puncheon is a poor one and West Brom are able to scramble the cross away for a corner. The resulting set-piece is just as bad and results in a free kick to the visitors. Foster takes his time with the kick. That passage of play has sort of summed up this contest so far.

Rondon has put himself about in the first half and his industry almost carves out an opportunity for the Baggies. He beats his man on the left side of the area and moves inside the box, where his shot is blocked for a corner. The striker returns once more to meet the resulting cross, but his header flashes wide without troubling Hennessey.

Gardner gets the chance to float a free kick towards the back-post for Berahino to make use of, however the striker is unable to get the better of Jedinak who is able to win a smart free kick and relieve the pressure on his side. At best, this game has been attritional...

Almost some late drama at Selhurst Park as West Brom work things down the right, where the ball is sent into the centre of the box for Rondon. Just at the striker looks likely to pounce, Dann makes his move and nips the ball off the head of the West Brom striker.

Well, that wasn't the curtain-raiser many fans expected and I have to say that was a rather drab first half by Premier League standards. You couldn't say that the football was poor, but both sides are just cancelling each other out. West Brom's pressing has been superb and Palace have not really got going as an attacking force just yet. Pardew might want to call on either Cabaye or Bolasie at some point soon... Pulis won't be too put off by the way things stand, his side have had one or two decent chances and might fancy stealing this in the second period.

Rondon has arguably been the standout performer as things stand. The frontman has been a huge presence up top and the few chances in the encounter have been the result of his industry.

Lee Chung-yong has probably featured as Palace's main threat. He's looked to keep the ball moving despite a lack of awareness from those around him. The midfielder has completed 83.3 percent of his passes thus far...

KICKOFF! Palace get us back underway in a sunny south London. Let's hope that this fixture improves quickly, it wouldn't take too much to do that either.

Evans has been sturdy at left-back and he is able to keep up with Zaha, who aims to make headway down the right flank. The defender aims to break forward himself, but stumbles at the vital moment after trying to play in Fletcher.

CHANCES! Palace are almost ahead on two occasions... Zaha does brilliantly to snatch the ball in the middle of the park before galloping forward beyond the West Brom defence. Foster rushes out off his line and makes a wonderful save down low to thwart the winger, whose second attempt at goal is then nullified by a smart block from Dawson.

Can West Brom repsond to this Palace push? The hosts have upped the tempo markedly in the second half. Ward is almost in with his head, but a lack of pace on the ball sees his attempt clutched comfortably by Foster, who doesn't look best pleased with his defence given the lack of pressure on the ball.

SHOT! Palace are moving things across the deck a touch quicker now and it seems to be creating that little bit more room for the hosts. Puncheon finds himself with a bit of space on the edge of the area, where he fires his effort straight into the grateful arms of Foster in the centre of the West Brom goal.

CHANCE! The Baggies have done very little going forward in the second period, but a corner soon lands inside a chaotic box as the Palace defence appear all over the place. The ball is eventually scrambled clear, where Yacob sends a shot straight back into the box only to see his effort smothered away once more.

Palace seek to hit back now and it comes through Townsend, who cuts in from the left and send his shot into the body of Dawson. Things are slightly heating up now...

SUBSTITUTION: Interesting, indeed... Bolasie comes on to replace Lee Chung-Yong. Could this be his curtain call at Selhurst?

SUBSTITUTION: Gardner is replaced by James McClean with 20 minutes remaining. Can the youngster muster something up to break down this Palace defence?

GOAL!  GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (SALOMON RONDON)

We have an opener! Palace give away a needless free kick over on the right-hand side of the pitch, leaving McClean with the chance to put a ball into the area. The substitute delivers a terrific cross, allowing Rondon to steal across his marker and head beyond Hennessey.

What can the home side do now? Palace are piling on the pressure but as it stands West Brom are standing firm. West Brom almost produce a moment of brilliance on the counter, but Phillips drags his shot wide following some inspirational hold-up play from Rondon.

Still nothing can get beyond this West Brom defence. Palace have come up a little short going forward and this game might just be settled by the one goal...

Palace look like a side in need of strikers at the moment. Wickham has appeared far too isolated up front on his own. Benteke, maybe?

YELLOW CARD! Olsson uses all of his experience to make the most of a high-boot from Bolasie, who is booked by the referee. That was rather clever from the centre-back who has now bought his side some time at the vital moment.

West Brom are doing all they can to kill time now. The visitors win a corner and aim to keep things short and away from the hosts. Mclean does brilliantly to hold off his opponent and the Baggies win a useful throw-in.

We're going to have five minutes of additional time at Selhurst Park...

CLOSE! Almost for Palace... Townsend is able to wriggle free of his marker on the edge of the area, but he can only fire a shot straight at Foster who accepts the ball willingly in the middle of the goal. West Brom are getting closer...

Another slight chance for Townsend, who jumps straight on a free kick offered up on the edge of the area. His effort is a little wild, however, as the ball flies wide of the target.

So there we have it... Rondon steals all three points for the visiting side! Palace were far too unimaginative in that second period and they eventually paid the price. West Brom arguably did enough to win that game and Pulis will be delighted with how his side set themselves up once they went in front.

One glaring inadequacy in Palace's game today was in attack. You cannot fault Wickham too much but you could argue that Pardew will need to do some business in the transfer market if he plans to operate with just the one striker in the future.

All in all, that was hardly the most inspiring game to open the season with, but Pulis and his men will be proud of the way in which they saw the three points out. That's going to be all from me today, until next time...