CRYSTAL Palace boss Tony Pulis says it was important his side picked up the points they needed ahead facing the likes of Everton, Manchester City and Liverpool.
All three sides are flying high at the top of the Premier League with title and Champions League aspirations, while the Eagles are on the brink of confirming their place in the top flight again next season.
And that is all Pulis is worried about, knowing that it's been important his players haven't got carried away with their form during the past month.
He said: "Stats can show you anything you want them to. The most important thing is mathematically knowing that you're safe, and until that happens I will always be very, very wary.
"It was very important over the past month or so that we picked up points as we have done because we finish with three out of the top four teams.
"We know the next five games are going to be really, really difficult for us. To pick those points up was vital.
"What you learn about being in this league is not to get too carried away when you're winning and not too carried away when you're losing, because it can spin around so quickly.
"It's just maintaining the focus on the job ahead, and they've been absolutely fantastic."
