Crystal Palace edged closer to mathematical safety as they returned to winning ways with a thrilling 4-3 victory over West Ham at Selhurst Park.
Palace produced a scintillating response to Tomas Soucek’s early opener as Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha and Jeffrey Schlupp struck in the space of 15 first-half minutes to seize control of the game, but the Eagles’ vulnerability at set-pieces would repeatedly offer West Ham lifelines.
After Michail Antonio reduced the deficit from a corner before the break, Palace restored their two-goal lead midway through the second half, with Eberechi Eze winning and converting a penalty. But back came West Ham again, with Nayef Aguerd nodding in to atone for his foul on Eze and set up a grandstand finale.
West Ham’s potency at set-pieces was not matched by their overall attacking output, though, as Palace held on for a first Premier League win in three which lifts them up to 11th in the table and sees Roy Hodgson’s side reach the coveted 40-point mark with four games to play. West Ham remain 15th, five points clear of the relegation zone with five games left to guarantee safety.
More to follow.
What’s next?
Wednesday 3rd May 7:00pm
Kick off 8:00pm
West Ham travel to Manchester City on Wednesday at 8pm – live on Sky Sports – while Crystal Palace head to Tottenham on Saturday at 3pm.
Crystal Palace’s remaining fixtures
May 6: Tottenham (A) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 13: Bournemouth (H) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 20: Fulham (A) – Premier League, kick-off 3pm
May 28: Nottingham Forest (H) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
West Ham’s remaining fixtures
May 3: Man City (A) – Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
May 7: Man Utd (H) – Premier League, kick-off 7pm
May 14: Brentford (A) – Premier League, kick-off 2pm
May 21: Leeds (H) – Premier League, kick-off 1.30pm
May 28: Leicester City (A) – Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
