Crystal Palace 2 Stoke 1: Dwight Gayle goals earn Premier League survival
Crystal Palace are mathematically safe from relegation after Dwight Gayle scored twice to give the Eagles victory against Stoke.
Palace came from behind to end any chance of going down and they can now turn all their attention to the FA Cup Final.
Alan Pardew’s side were a goal down at half time after Charlie Adam scored for Stoke but Gayle found the net twice in the second half.
Gayle equalised with a well-taken finish two minutes after the break and won it with a brilliant 25-yard free-kick after 68 minutes.
Peter Crouch sent a header wide when he should have scored Marko Arnautovic missed an open goal late on but Palace held on.
“Que sera sera! Whatever will be will be! We're going to Wem-bl-ey!" sang Palace fans as their side recorded only their second Premier League win this year.
Pardew can now rest players against Southampton next weekend ahead of their meeting with Manchester United at Wembley on May 21.
FULL TIME: Palace 2-1 Stoke. #CRYSTK pic.twitter.com/SgpCgoRJnk
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 7, 2016
Palace fell behind after 26 minutes when Marko Arnautovic found Adam inside the area and he made no mistake with a low finish past Wayne Hennessey.
Palace huffed and puffed in the first half but they failed to really test Stoke goalkeeper Huagaard during a poor opening 45 minutes.
Yohan Cabaye needed some treatment to an injury to his midriff towards the end of the half and the midfielder was substituted at half-time.
Palace equalised on 47 minutes when Yannick Bolasie jinked into the area before the ball fell to Gayle and he sidefooted home.
Then all of a sudden Palace were on top. Jason Puncheon fired over from close range and Connor Wickham hit the outside of the post with a header at the back post.
But Gayle put Palace ahead when beat Huagaard with a wonderful free-kick that send Selhurst Park wild.
Crouch and Arnautovic should really have levelled for Stoke but both missed good chances late on.
ArticleCrystal Palace 2 Stoke 1: Gayle brace earns Premier League survivalCrystal Palace FCPremier LeagueDwight GayleStoke City