West Ham 1-3 Palace: Murray Sent Off in Eagles Win

Glenn Murray scored a brace and was sent off in Crystal Palace’s 3-1 win at West Ham United.

Aaron Cresswell diverted Murray’s header into his own net for the opener shortly before the break.

Scott Dann headed in from close range to double Palace’s lead before Murray grabbed the ‘Eagles’ third via a diving header. The 25-year-old, who has spent most of the season on loan at Reading, was sent off for a second bookable offence following a late tackle on Wiston Reid.

Enner Valencia’s shot from outside the goal area found the back of the net but could not spare the Hammers from being booed by their own fans.

Glenn Murray Celebrates After Scoring His Second Goal Against West Ham. Image: Getty.

The outcome means Alan Pardew has now managed his second win over Sam Allardyce’s side in ten attempts, with five losses and three draws.

The Boleyn Ground outfit got off to a bright start and Cresswell almost caught Julian Speroni off-guard. Mark Noble’s superb free-kick then came back off the crossbar as the hosts dominated possession in the opening 15 minutes of the London Derby.

Jason Puncheon twice teed up Murray, with Adrian stepping in-between both attempts and the goal.

The visitors were forced into an early change as James McArthur replaced Jordon Mutch, who appeared to be suffering from a thigh injury.

Palace seized initiative four minutes to the break as Cresswells sliced Murray’s header into the net.

McArthur then had a shot from the edge of the box blocked, leaving Palace with a 1-goal lead into the interval.

The visitors returned brimming with confidence after the break and were rewarded with a second goal when Dann rose above Reid at the far post to thump home from close range from Puncheon’s corner.

Puncheon grabbed his third assist of the game three minutes after an hour when his free-kick was turned in by Murray.

The striker was sent off moments later and West Ham capitalised on the numerical advantage to pull one back.

Substitute Nene, on his debut since joining on a free transfer, struck the post before Valencia shot into the back of the net.

Carl Jenkinson, Stewart Downing and Valencia threatened to orchestrate a late rally but to no avail as Palace held on to victory- a Premier League club record of five away games without defeat.

by Greenstarnetwork admin..