Full Time: Crystal Palace 4-0 Hull City
Crystal Palace secured their Premier League status for the upcoming season, when they defeated 18th-placed Hull City 4-0 at the Selhurst Park to ensure safety.
The Eagles were on the money from the kick-off and were ahead of their opponents as early as the third minute, when Wilfried Zaha capitalized on Andrea Ranocchia’s mistake to slot the ball into the net. Palace went two ahead in the 34th minute, when Christian Benteke buried the ball in the net with a bullet header from a Jason Puncheon cross.
And late in the game, Luka Milivojevic converted from the penalty spot, to put the game to bed completely, before Patrick van Aanholt got into the act in injury time, heaping more misery on Marco Silva’s men.
The result means Sam Allardyce has done it again. Big Sam was brought in to do a job and he has managed to keep Palace up. Hull, on the other hand, have been relegated back to Championship in their first season back.
Here is how the Crystal Palace players fared on the day:
Crystal Palace Player Ratings
Wayne Hennessey – 7/10
Rarely threatened in the goal. Commanding when needed to be, a couple of routine stops aside, had very little to do.
Joel Ward – 7/10
Solid game at right-back. Dealt well with the threat of Kamil Grosicki and was always on top.
Martin Kelly – 7/10
The makeshift centre-half had a strong outing as he negated the danger of Oumar Niasse with no real difficulty.
James Tomkins – 7.5/10
Surprise inclusion in the starting line-up considering his injury problems. But looked completely comfortable at the back and will be delighted with the clean sheet. Came close to scoring with a header.
Jeffrey Schlupp – 8/10
Got forward to great effect in the first period, not so much after the restart. But won the penalty late in the game. Impressive.
Luka Milivojevic – 7.5/10
Did the dirty work well in the middle of the park, never really allowing Hull to get a foothold. Very cool penalty to make it 3-0.
Yohan Cabaye – 6/10
Not the Frenchman’s best outing. Booked in the first period for a foul on Niasse. Couldn’t really influence things before being taken off.
Jason Puncheon – 7.5/10
Set up the second goal for Benteke with a fine cross. Seemed to be involved in everything positive for Palace in the first period, a little subdued after the restart.
Wilfried Zaha – 8/10
Kept a cool head to give Palace the dream start with an early goal. Kept running all day long and was always a threat.
Christian Benteke – 7/10
Scored the second one to put Palace in a position of strength. Had a couple more decent chances in the second period, but couldn’t add to his tally.
Andros Townsend – 5/10
Struggled to get going on the day. Taken off injured in the second period.
Substitutes
James McArthur – 6/10
Replaced Cabaye a little after the hour mark. Laid the ball for Van Aanholt for the fourth strike.
Patrick van Aanholt – 7/10
Came on for Townsend for the last fifteen minutes. Great finish for the last goal. Booked for celebrating with fans.
Damien Delaney – NA
Replaced Tomkins for the final few minutes.