CRYSTAL Palace look like they're on the verge of Premier League survival after a narrow 1-0 win over Aston Villa this afternoon.
And it was thanks to that man yet again, Jason Puncheon, who grabbed the all-important winner in the second period, firing home off the inside of the post.
Selhurst Park was rocking as per usual and the home faithful look like they're in for another taste of top flight action come August.
However, they did have to thank the ever-reliable Julian Speroni for a stunning save at the end – not for the first time this season – to preserve their lead and victory.
Palace created their first opportunity after ten minutes when Scott Dann played a through-ball into the path of Cameron Jerome, who held the ball up on the right and found Jason Puncheon but the winger lost control.
A ball into the back post found Puncheon 30 seconds though, and with his back to goal he tried hooking it back into the mixer but it went out for a goal kick.
Adrian Mariappa did well to get beyond his marker down the right before delivering to the near post only for Brad Guzan to claim.
Palace upped the ante when Yannick Bolasie got the better of Matthew Lowton and delivered low for Puncheon, but he tangled with a Cieran Clark and a free-kick was given.
The Eagles suffered an injury blow when Kagisho Dikgacoi limped off and was replaced by Marouane Chamakh – and the striker's first job was to head clear a dangerous corner.
Strike partner Jerome was then called into defensive action when he cleared a Villa corner from the near post after a loose ball was not dealt with.
Palace thought they should have had a penalty shortly before the break when a fantastic free-kick routine from Jedinak and Puncheon found Bolasie inside the box, and the winger looked to have been fouled by Grant Holt but Howard Webb pointed for a goal kick.
It was a big call from the man in the middle but looking back at the television replays, he had got the decision just about right.
Palace ended the half strongly and went close again when Chamakh rose to head Mariappa's right-wing cross wide.
Into the second period and Palace should have taken the lead through Jerome on 55 minutes.
Bolasie did brilliantly to beat his man on the left side of the box and his cross looped up towards goal, only for Guzan to tip the ball away but it fell to Jerome arriving and he somehow smacked the crossbar.
Joe Ledley had a great chance shortly after, when Lowton's clearance fell to him on the edge of the box but the midfieldr scuffed his shot and Guzan claimed the high ball.
The Eagles went even closer to drawing first blood when Bolasie picked the ball 25-yards out and drove the ball millimetres past the post.
Selhurst was ready to erupt as Guzan was beaten and Bolasie was left to rue a great effort.
And then came another big talking point as Palace were denied another penalty, this time by the assistant referee.
Bolasie whipped in a cross from the right and the ball looked to have struck the elbow of Clark inside the box.
After taking a few seconds, Webb looked at his assistant and awarded the spot-kick – only to consult his aid and then reversing the decision to Selhurst Park's disappointment.
However, it didn't matter as minutes later Palace took the lead through the man-of-the-moment Jason Puncheon, who collected the ball inside the box with his back to goal and then swivelled to find the back of the net via the post.
With the clock ticking down, Villa threw men forward as you'd expect – and they nearly grabbed an equaliser through Andreas Weimann only for Speroni to pull off a world class save.
The reactions from the 34-year-old were second to none, palming away the striker's effort down to his left, and yet again proved why he should be given a new contract.
Three minutes were added on but Villa never looked like grabbing an equaliser and the win for the Eagles was their third in a row.
Palace are up to 37 points – and it looks like another year in the Premier League in south London.
Palace: Speroni, Mariappa, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Dikgacoi (Chamakh 19), Jedinak, Bolasie (Parr 85), Puncheon, Ledley, Jerome (Murray 75).
Subs Not Used: Hennessey, Gabbidon, Ince, Gayle.
Referee: Howard Webb
