AUSTRALIA MIDFIELDER MILE Jedinak scored the only goal of the game as Crystal Palace’s remarkable revival under manager Tony Pulis continued with a 1-0 win away to London rivals West Ham.
When Pulis was appointed in November after Ian Holloway quit Selhurst Park, the Eagles were six points from safety at the foot of the Premier League table, having collected only four points from their opening 11 fixtures.
Several months on this victory, which followed their 3-2 triumph over high-flying Everton in midweek, meant Palace had won five Premier League matches in a row for the first time since 1992 — the latest feather in the cap of 56-year-old former Stoke manager Pulis.
This result also left south London side Palace on 43 points, three above the 40-point mark usually associated with top flight survival, and 13 points clear of the relegation zone with just three matches of the season left.
Both teams were all but safe from the drop before this match started but 11th-placed Palace’s win took them six points in front of east London club West Ham, still 12th despite this loss.
Long before Jedinak scored, another Australian was the centre of attention at Upton Park as West Ham striker Dylan Tombides, who died on Friday, was remembered with a minute’s applause before kick-off.
Tombides, who joined the Hammers as a 15-year-old and made one senior appearance, had been suffering from testicular cancer, a disease he was diagnosed with in 2011.
In a statement issued Friday, West Ham said Tombides “will be hugely missed by all who had the honour of knowing him”.
The closest either side came to a goal in the first half was when West Ham striker Andy Carroll’s header was well-saved by Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.
Palace broke the deadlock just shy of the hour mark after they were awarded a penalty when Cameron Jerome, surging into the box, went down under Pablo Armero’s challenge.
Jedinak’s powerful penalty into the top left corner gave Adrian in the Hammers goal no chance.
