Alan Pardew took his confident Palace side to the Britannia Stadium to take on Mark Hughes’ Stoke City. With the Stoke fans their usual boisterous selves and Palace selling out their allocation as ever, the stage was set for a proper Premiership encounter.
Stoke dominated the early stages of this contest and restricted the Eagles to very little going forward. They went ahead through former Manchester United striker Mame Diouf midway through the first half. The Senegal international latched on from a deflected Charlie Adam freekick, and slotted past Speroni with a clever first time finish.
The game came to life towards the end of the first period as Palace were handed a reprieve from absolutely nowhere. Asmir Begovic was adjudged to have brought down Yannick Bolasie in what could easily gone the other way as Bolasie’s boot was raised as the two clashed. Man in form Glen Murray emphatically dispatched to level the scoring making it 4 in his last 4 for the Eagles.
Minutes later, the game was turned on it’s head as a mistake from the Stoke back-line allowed the dangerous Wilf Zaha in to steal in capitalize very late on in the first half showing great pace and composure en route to his 3rd goal of the season.
No more goals were scored the meaning Palace moved up a place to 11th and are still on course to achieving their highest Premier league finish in their history. This was under Tony Pulis the previous season in what seemed to be an impossible job to replicate, yet Pardew is on course to exceed that. Looks as if this is one Premiership club on the up. Great news for football in the South of the capital.
@NickGodwinsport Great result @ Britannia but disappointed with Zaha, Gayle & Souare bookings with what Stoke dished out, Ireland & Adams.
— John Vince (@JohnVince20) March 22, 2015
Wilfried Zaha eyes goal glut after answering Alan Pardew’s call with Crystal Palace’s winner at Stoke – http://t.co/wMk4Aoupdt #cpfc
— Crystal Palace App (@PalaceApp) March 23, 2015
2-1 up at HT away at Stoke. Lucky pen decision but well taken by Murray. And a great flick on to Zaha for his goal too. C’mon Palace! #cpfc
— Jim Penfold (@JimPenfold) March 21, 2015
Best home support without a doubt is crystal Palace . 2nd is Tottenham . Stoke maybe 3rd. The big clubs at home are utter shite
— Chris Prodromou (@chrisprodromou) March 23, 2015
Spurs and Palace should not had been awarded a penalty at the weekend while Stoke should had been awarded one #EPLleague
— David (@DavidAFC68) March 23, 2015
‘James McArthur should be embarrassed for his dive against Stoke’ http://t.co/nQ51XCtUIp via @MailSport ..Blinking Cheat 😉
— stokietony (@stokietony) March 23, 2015
@cpfc_dal best away support at stoke for a long time,then again palace are an example how to support a team
— stokebhoy (@stokebhoy) March 23, 2015
