CRYSTAL PALACE made it three wins in a row as they beat Watford 1-0 thanks to a goal by Ghanaian striker Jordan Ayew, reports the Voice of Sport from Selhurst Park (March 7).  

With 39 points now on the board, Palace have seemingly done enough to virtually guarantee their Premier League status for another season.

Palace manager Roy Hodgson said: “I am very pleased we have got to 39 points with 9 games to spare.

“We had to dig in hard especially in our last two games against Newcastle and Brighton. Watford came here on the back of a very good result against Liverpool.

“I am really pleased with the way the players stuck to their task. When it was necessary for them to run, put their foot in and stop the crosses we did it.”

Just before the half hour mark, James McArthur laid a pass to Ayew. The Eagles’ no.9 then curled his shot past two defenders and ‘keeper Ben Foster into the top left-hand corner to give the Eagles the lead. 

Hodgson was delighted with Ayew, who also scored the winner last week against Brighton. 

He said: “He has scored another good goal to win us the game. He has been fantastic for the team. Don’t forget it has not been for one season. All the way through he has shown his worth.

“I am really pleased with the way the players stuck to their task”

Roy Hodgson, Crystal Palace manager

“He has got stronger. We saw signs of the player we see now in him last season. Having money to buy players is not always the answer to your problems. It is knowing where the players you need are.”

Watford boss Nigel Pearson said: “It was a missed opportunity for us today. We had chances in the first half to go ahead. We rue those chances.

“The goal we conceded was one we could have done better with.  We could have closed down the shot. We played against a side who were happy to defend with a bit of depth. It is never easy coming here.

“We did not have quality with our final pass. I think in the entirety of the game we played with a good intensity but it is what it is.

“I will measure our performance against ourselves and not against what anyone else says. We showed energy today but we did not have a complete performance.”