CRYSTAL PALACE 1 NORWICH CITY 0

BY AYODELE ODUMADE AT SELHURST PARK

Crystal Palace manager, Alan Pardew has paid tribute to Jason Puncheon, who got the only goal of their massive win against Norwich City, with a left foot curler which found the bottom corner of John Ruddy’s goal.  The victory was Palace’s first in the league since December 19, last year and went a long way to boost their chances retaining their place in the Premier League for a fourth successive season.

Pardew said: ” He has not had his greatest season in terms of scoring goals and assists with us but he is a massive individual for this football club. He represents everything that is right about a black player coming from this area. The way he conducts himself and handles himself around our younger players is a great credit to this football club. And it could not be more fitting that he got the goal. I was absolutely delighted with him today.” Pardew also said: He understands this football club

On the game he said: “It was  massive win for us. I was nervous today and I have been in this game a long time and it was edgy. The crowd lifted us today.  I want to thank our local press such as the South London Press and the Evening Standard because they really helped us and that is what happens when you work with the local press. It changed the atmosphere in the stadium this week.  We might not have won that game if they had not done that. I thank God for that and other local papers should take that on board. It was a massive win for us today on a number of levels. It might settle us down. It could still be a good season for us if we win the FA Cup for the first time.”

He went on further to say: “ You could see that both teams were edgy but I thought they (Norwich) were a little more relaxed than us. But we probably just had enough on the pitch offensively to win it.”

Pardew also paid tribute to Wilfried Zaha, whom he re-signed from Manchester United.  “Wilfried carried the banner for us with all the injuries we had and it has taken its toll on him. I thought taking him out today would help him and he handled it well. He did not moan and understood my reasons. It was good timing for us when he came on, as we were flat then. I thought he might win it for us today and I told him go on and win it for us son.  He lifts the crowd. He has unbelievable ability and he changed the game when he on.”

Pardew reflected on their recent poor run and mentioned what it meant to Puncheon. “Puncheon carries this football club in his heart. He was born here. He is from here. He was feeling the pain from this run. His introduction in the last two games have been good for us because of his personality and leadership skills.”