CRYSTAL Palace are out of the relegation zone tonight after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Stoke City at Selhurst Park.
It was a gritty display from the Eagles in a match that was a lot to be left desired in the first half particularly, but they managed to get to break the deadlock thanks to Jason Puncheon in the second period.
It was a fantastic way for the winger to bounce back after his horror penalty at White Hart Lane last Saturday, and he had two further chances to wrap up the points as well.
Boss Tony Pulis received a standing ovation from the Stoke fans as he made his way to the dugout at the start of the match, with banners of thanks showcased in the Arthur Wait Stand.
Joel Ward has the first chance of the match when he sent a glancing header wide from Yannick Bolasie's cross.
Danny Gabbidon then sliced an attempted clearance over his crossbar following a right-wing delivery, but Stoke were unable to capitalise.
They nearly opened the scoring soon after though, as Marc Wilson rose to meet Charlie Adam's floated free-kick, but his goal-bound effort was superbly turned around the post by Julian Speroni.
Marouane Chamakh was doing all he could on his own in attack, but you felt he was missing having someone actually alongside him.
Stoke left-back Erik Pieters found himself venturing forward midway through the half and into the Palace box before volleying just wide of Speroni's right.
However, it certainly wasn't the prettiest of games with both scrapping for possession.
Danny Gabbidon looked certain to get on the end of a Puncheon corner on the half-hour mark but Glenn Whelan planted a firmer header away.
Gabbidon was alert to cut out a low cross from Pieters, and the ball went up the field to Guedioura, who ran down the middle and unleashed a piledriver towards goal but it was blocked.
Charlie Adam was inches away from giving the visitors the lead early in the second period, sending a right-footed effort just past the post with Speroni at full stretch.
However, it was the Eagles who finally made the breakthrough – and it was that man Puncheon who made up superbly for his horror penalty at Spurs, finding the bottom corner.
Picking up the ball on the right-side of the box, he looked for an opening on to his left-foot before curling a low shot into the bottom corner past Jack Butland.
Selhurst erupted and all was forgiven after being heckled by fans, football pundits, the media and a certain former manager during the week.
At this point, Palace had moved out of the relegation zone into 16th and on 20 points, but there was still another 25 minutes or so to go.
Adam nearly hit back for Mark Hughes side, picking the ball up 25-yards from goal before taking a touch forward an unleashing a stunning drive just past the post.
Pulis brought on Stuart O'Keefe for Guedioura as the Eagles looked to pack the midfield and leave Chamakh up top on his own.
Steven Nzonzi had a go from outside the box but it went wildly over before the midfielder was booked for a late challenge on Bolasie.
Palace should have doubled their lead though late on but Jack Butland was in inspired form, pulling off a triple save to deny Ward, Puncheon and O'Keefe.
Pulis decided to send Aaron Wilbraham and Dean Moxey on for the hard-working duo of Chamakh and Bolasie.
Wilbraham nearly doubled the Eagles' lead when he side-footed wide of the post following Parr's darting run down the left, but more drama was to follow as Pulis' side had another chance to finish it off.
The ball fell to Jedinak, who ran down the right, held the ball up and found Wilbraham completely unmarked in front of goal, and with everyone expecting a shot, he superbly dummied.
The ball came to Puncheon running in at the far post but Butland pulled off a big block to deny him.
With seconds remaining and SE25 a nervous wreck, Speroni's goal-kick was met by the final whistle and wild applause from the home faithful.
Palace are out of the bottom three. The way only way is up as attentions now to turn to the FA Cup at Wigan Athletic next Saturday.
Palace: Speroni, Mariappa, Parr, Gabbidon, Delaney, Ward, Jedinak, Puncheon, Bolasie (Moxey 87), Guedioura (O'Keefe 68), Chamakh (Wilbraham 87).
Subs Not Used: Price, Williams, Bannan, Gayle.
Referee: Lee Mason
By Croydon Advertiser Sports Reporter Mark Ritson
