Crystal Palace kept up their excellent run of form in the Premier League as they defeated West Ham United 1-0 at Upton Park.
The Eagles took the lead through Mile Jedinak in the second half as he fired home from the penalty spot, after Cameron Jerome was fouled in the area.
Sam Allardyce's side pushed late in the game to find a leveller, but were unable to break down a resolute Palace backline.
Sports Mole analyses the game to see if Palace deserved their win.
Match statistics
West Ham
Shots: 13
On target: 4
Possession: 66%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 7
Palace
Shots: 11
On target: 3
Possession: 34%
Corners: 11
Fouls: 16
Was the result fair?
Palace deserved their win as they were resolute at the back and coped with everything that West Ham threw at them with their physical attack. In the final third they were creative but weren't at their clinical best, but when a golden opportunity presented itself when they were awarded a penalty, Jedinak made sure to snatch it. Yet another strong performance from the Eagles under Pulis.
West Ham's performance
The Hammers were decent in the first half and gave as good as they good against the visitors. Andy Carroll was a threat in the final third as Matt Jarvis and Stewart Downing provided decent outlets. Defensively they were shaky, but weren't overmatched by the pace of Cameron Jerome and Yannick Bolasie on the break. However, after half time it was different story as they became one-dimensional in attack, as they relied on too many long balls to Carroll, while they were exposed by Jerome who earned the penalty thanks to a loose tackle from Pablo Armero. It could have got worse as the game went on, but fortunately for Allardyce, it didn't get out of hand like it could have done.
Palace's performance
Palace went to Upton Park with a good gameplan and it worked to perfection. They were able to soak up all the long balls into the area for Carroll, not without the odd incident but well enough to keep the clean sheet. Jerome and Bolasie were always an outlet on the flank and as the game wore on they became more and more effective. Jerome's pace won the penalty as he drew the foul from Armero and once Jedinak scored from the spot, they were in complete control. It could have been more than the 1-0 scoreline, but their finishing wasn't quite at it's best. They fully deserved their fifth win on the bounce in the league.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Cameron Jerome: The striker wasn't a threat in front of goal, but he ran the line well and was instrumental in building almost every Palace attack in the second half. It was his play that earned the penalty as he drew the foul from Armero and was further proof of his and his side's improvement under Pulis.
Biggest gaffe Although Jerome did well to win the penalty, the defending from Armero was abject to say the least. He was lucky to get away with one foul on Jason Puncheon minutes earlier, which was very clumsy, but he didn't get away with the second as he brought down the striker. It was a curious decision from defender as Jerome had little support as well, one that cost his side the game.
Referee performance Martin Atkinson had a decent outing at Upton Park. He could have given Palace the penalty for the tackle on Puncheon earlier, but that cancelled out the decision not to award the Hammers a spot kick in the first half when Carroll was barged out of the way by Jedinak. The actual penalty decision was fair and other than that it was a solid performance from the official.
What next?
West Ham: The Hammers travel to The Hawthorns next week to face West Bromwich Albion.
Palace: Pulis's side face Manchester City at Selhurst Park next Sunday.
Simon Sinclair
