Live Commentary: Crystal Palace 0-2 West Bromwich Albion - as it happened

Crystal Palace have succumbed to a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of West Bromwich Albion in this afternoon's Premier League clash at Selhurst Park.

James Morrison headed into the unmarked net just two minutes into the game, before his side held out until half time as the Eagles laid siege to their goal.

Seven minutes into the second half, a thumping 25-yard drive from Craig Gardner put the Baggies two up to deflate Palace, for whom a goal had seemed imminent.

It just wasn't to be the Eagles' day as chance after chance went amiss, Tony Pulis's charges seeing the game out to all but secure Premier League safety.

Find out how the action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text commentary below.

5.05pmWell folks, it's been an absolute pleasure taking you through today's game at Selhurst Park, but don't go anywhere - Sports Mole will be bringing you all the reaction from this match, as well as analysis and player ratings, not to mention news from all the other games across the Premier League and Football League. Thanks for tuning in and have a brilliant rest of the weekend!

5.00pmIt just wasn't to be the Eagles' day as chance after chance went amiss, Tony Pulis's charges seeing the game out to all but secure Premier League safety - they sit eight points clear of the drop zone with just five games to go.

4.58pmJames Morrison headed into the unmarked net just two minutes into the game, before his side held out until half time as the Eagles laid siege to their goal, and seven minutes after the restart, a thumping 25-yard drive from Craig Gardner put the Baggies two up to completely deflate Palace.

4.56pmAnd so the final whistle blows here at Selhurst Park and Crystal Palace have been undone by a Tony Pulis masterclass, West Bromwich Albion earning all three points in a smash-and-grab 2-0 win.

90+6 minFULL TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION

90+1 minThey refuse to give up, this Palace side. They want at the very least a consolation as Murray controls in the area, but sees his shot blocked before it deflects back off him for a goal kick. Have I mentioned it's just not the Eagles' day today?

90 minCHANCE! Bolasie cuts inside and finds Murray with a great cross, but the striker heads over the bar. He should have scored there.

90 minSix minutes of injury time here at Selhurst Park.

89 minFurther down the table, the relegation battle is going down to the wire as Leicester City lead Swansea City 2-0 with just a few minutes to go - if they hold out, it would be their third Premier League win on the spin and they'd be in the drop zone on goal difference only.

88 minSUBSTITUTION: Chris Baird replaces Saido Berahino as the Baggies are happy to see this game out.

85 minDISALLOWED GOAL! And that pretty much sums up Palace's day as Sanogo taps home from Souare's cross, but the linesman's flag rules the goal out.

82 minPardew shifts his side into a 4-3-3 formation in a bid to claw something from this game, may prove too little too late though.

81 minSUBSTITUTIONS: Changes for both sides as Yaya Sanogo replaces James McArthur for the hosts and Craig Gardner makes way for Jonas Olsson for the opposition.

78 minBOOKING: Brunt's late slide on Zaha gives Palace a free kick at the edge of the box and earns the Baggies man a yellow.

78 minBOOKING: Palace clear their lines, but Gardner then pulls down Murray, prompting the referee to show the West Brom man a yellow card for his troubles.

77 minLess than quarter of an hour left, and Palace appear to be crumbling as West Brom begin turning the screw. It wouldn't surprise me if they strike an unanswered third, the way this game is going. It's just not the Eagles' day as the Baggies win consecutive corners.

76 minCHANCE! Now West Brom push forward, earning themselves two free kicks in quick succession before Berahino weaves his way through the Palace defence and forces a save from Speroni.

72 minWard drives forward, beats McAuley and sends a dangerous cross into the box that curls towards Myhill's goal before sailing out of play for a goal kick.

71 minSUBSTITUTION: Dawson was clipped by Bolasie moments ago, and the West Brom man is unable to continue. He is subbed off as Andre Wisdom takes his place.

69 minBOOKING: Palace's frustration and desperation is beginning to show as Bolasie is cautioned for simulation as he tangles with Dawson.

67 minBolasie is brought down as he tried to slice through the West Brom defence, prompting the referee to give Palace a free kick, but once again it comes to no avail as Myhill gathers from Murray's header.

64 minPalace keep knocking on the West Brom door as Lescott blocks a Zaha cross before Bolasie tries a shot that also hits an opposition player and is cleared. At the other end, an audacious Berahino effort from the edge of the Eagles box fails to threaten Speroni.

61 minBOOKING: Puncheon is shown a yellow card for a strong challenge on Berahino as West Brom happily knock the ball around. The game is theirs to lose.

58 minCHANCE! The hosts are hell-bent on taking something from this game as Puncheon drags a shot wide from outside the box.

55 minCHANCE! Palace nearly conjure up a great response as Gayle sees his header from six yards cannon off the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

54 minBOOKING: Scott Dann, whose clearance led to Gardner's goal, is shown a yellow for a foul.

53 minI did say this was a coupon-buster, didn't I? Palace have dominated for the majority of the game but now have it all to do as a West Brom corner goes all the way out to Gardner, who smashes it past Speroni from 30 yards out!

52 minGOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 0-2 WEST BROM (CRAIG GARDNER)

49 minPuncheon finds Bolasie out on the left-hand side, but his effort from the edge of the box sails way off target.

48 minPENALTY SHOUT! And it's number three in this game as Gardner is all over Zaha again in the penalty area, and yet again, nothing given!

47 minPalace immediately push forward, their first foray going out for a goal kick, while moments later they force a corner through substitute Souare.

46 minSUSTITUTION: Two changes for Palace as Mile Jedinak is replaced by Dwight Gayle and Joe Ledley comes off for Pape Souare, while it's as you were for the Baggies.

46 minKICKOFF: We're back underway here at Selhurst Park!

4.01pmThe West Brom players celebrating their 100-second goal - will they still be as gleeful come the final whistle? Stay with Sports Mole and find out!

3.58pmPalace, for all intents and purposes, should not be behind. The statistics showing 67 percent possession and nine shots, of which three were on goal, suggest that they should have done a lot better, but alas, sucker-punches followed by stout defending have led to teams winning international tournaments before - Greece 2004, anyone? - and could lead to West Brom nicking all three points here today.

3.55pmIn addition both sides could be aggrieved at being denied penalties, the first a challenge on Anichebe by Jedinak, the second when Gardner clattered into Zaha.

3.52pmThe hosts set about trying to get back into the game and had plenty of chances to do so, but were denied by an inspired Myhill and an impervious West Brom defence.

3.49pmSo Crystal Palace, despite being one of the form teams in the Premier League, are a goal down at the break to West Brom, one of the out-of-form teams, and it came after a hundred seconds courtesy of James Morrison, who made the most of some poor defending to head into an unmarked net.

45+2 minHALF TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 WEST BROM

45+1 minWest Brom win a corner after trying to keep the ball away from the Eagles at the touchline, which Brunt takes and is cleared by Bolasie.

45 minThe referee signals two minutes of added time.

44 minCHANCE! Puncheon takes and the ball is only cleared as far as Jedinak, who brings it down but fires well over the bar.

43 minThe Baggies are not giving the Eagles an inch. Maybe it's a case of regrouping for Pardew's charges rather than over-exerting themselves in the final few minutes? Palace now have a free kick...

42 minThe attacking trinity of Bolasie, Murray and Zaha is wreaking havoc upon the West Brom back line, but the visitors are holding firm.

39 minZaha has another low cross cleared, while luckily for the other side, Fletcher appears to be moving freely following his earlier scare.

37 minA now-rare West Brom attack is nipped in the bud as a great tackle from Puncheon stops Anichebe from getting into his stride.

36 minAround nine minutes plus stoppage time until the break, and Palace will be unhappy with themselves if they don't get at least a goal before then. Zaha charges down the right and takes on three men, but concedes a free kick for barging Gardner.

34 minA short break in play now as Fletcher receives treatment after getting his studs caught in the turf as he overreaches for a Brunt pass, but the ex-Manchester United man is back to his feet now.

33 minBolasie once again as he whips another dangerous cross for Murray, but it's just a few inches too high for the veteran to nod the ball in. It goes out for a goal kick and Murray has his head in his hands.

30 minCHANCE! Bolasie is having a blinder this afternoon - moments ago he was dispossessed after coming close to breaking down the left, and now he's forced a save from Myhill with a bicycle kick! That would have been some goal!

27 minCHANCE! Another great effort from Palace as Bolasie cuts inside and bends an inswinging cross into the Baggies box, but Myhill manages to fist away under pressure from Murray.

26 minPENALTY APPEAL! Gardner clatters into Zaha as he leaps for a cross in the box. Again there are strong claims for a penalty, but nothing given.

23 minCHANCE! Palace keep pressing and surely at this rate it won't be long before they find the equaliser. From a free kick inside the hosts' half, the ball finds its way to Bolasie in the box, but his effort is saved by the feet of Myhill.

20 minZaha snuffed out a Baggies attacks earlier on and now does the business at the other end as he charges down the right flank and send in a threatening low cross that Yacob does well to clear.

19 minCHANCE! Jedinak, who nearly conceded a penalty just a few minutes earlier, takes a touch outside the Baggies box and fires a half-volley but it's over the bar.

16 minPENALTY SHOUT! Anichebe is brought down inside the Palace area by Jedinak, the Baggies man is up in arms but the referee waves away the penalty appeals.

14 minBOOKING: First yellow of the game goes to the visitors as McAuley is cautioned for a foul on Murray.

12 minMore pressing from Palace as Bolasie lashes a dangerous cross from the left, but there's too much on it for Zaha and it sails out for a goal kick.

9 minMcArthur fires an ambitious shot from outside the box but the effort proves tame and is comfortably gathered by Myhill.

8 minThe hosts are probing the opposition defence and taking their time on the ball, but West Brom are proving hard to break down.

5 minWest Brom then push forward at the other end, but their attack comes to nothing and ends to Speroni. Murray's nudge on Lescott moments later, following the goal kick, gives the Baggies a free kick.

4 minCHANCE! Palace kick off and Zaha goes on to win a free kick which is taken by Jedinak and finds its way to Murray in the box, but the veteran fires over.

3 minWow! I know my prediction was pretty ambitious but not even I thought the Baggies would be in front after just a hundred seconds! Berahino wins the visitors a corner, Brunt takes and Morrison rifles a header into an unmarked net!

2 minGOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 WEST BROM (JAMES MORRISON)

0 minKICKOFF: Referee Jonathan Moss blows his whistle and the Baggies get proceedings underway!

2.57pmThe teams emerge from the tunnel on a beautiful spring's day here at Selhurst Park!

2.55pmOf course, I could be proven completely wrong and end up with egg on my face, but I don't know, it's just my gut feeling. We shall see!

2.53pmWhy, you ask? My theory is that, if there is a coupon-buster, this game could be it. Palace don't really have anything concrete to play for this season - yes, they can secure a highest-ever Premier League finish but it's not quite relegation survival, which West Brom are going to go all out for.

2.50pmPREDICTION: Just 10 minutes until kickoff now, so it's time for me to attempt to predict today's result at Selhurst Park. Now, the stat and form dictate that Crystal Palace will canter to a win. But I'm going to turn it on its head and claim that West Brom will win 1-0.

2.47pmThe recent stats for West Brom, however, make for somewhat grim reading. They are winless in 10 away matches, have conceded 10 goals in three games, have claimed 18 points from a possible 48 against fellow bottom-half sides, and have conceded 17 set-piece goals this season - while Palace have scored a league-high 20 set-piece goals.

2.43pmAnd then there's Yannick Bolasie, whose hat-trick against Sunderland last week has reportedly put him in the spotlight of some European clubs. Said to be valued at Â£10m, his manager told the media that any potential suitors "need to have a look at that, because he is worth double."

2.40pmGlenn Murray is bound to make a difference today. The veteran striker has scored six goals and provided three assists in his last six games. Is a possible England call-up on the cards?

2.36pmSeventeen goals have been scored in the previous five Premier League meetings, an average of 3.4 goals per game, and in the corresponding fixture last season, the result was 3-1 to Palace - managed by current Baggies boss Pulis.

2.34pmHEAD TO HEAD: Time to cast an eye over the previous between these two sides. West Brom's only win in the last nine meetings in all competitions came in the Premier League in November 2013.

2.31pmDespite their recent exploits, however, Pardew may have concerns over his side's defensive displays as they have failed to keep a clean sheet since February 7, a run that stretches back eight league games. A potential Achilles heel for West Brom to exploit then.

2.28pmPalace's front line has also been in sterling form as Glenn Murray, Yannick Bolasie and prodigal son Wilfried Zaha have helped their side score 14 goals in their last six matches.

2.25pmThis is easier said than done though, because Palace are in great form. They've won five of their last six games, including their last four in a row, and are in line for their best ever finish in the Premier League, eclipsing their feat of the last campaign when they finished 11th with 45 points.

2.22pmSo really, Pulis needs to really claim all three points this afternoon to give his side a good cushion, because except for perhaps the Newcastle game, the other fixtures are all going to be difficult in terms of claiming a decent points tally.

2.20pmBaggies fans can't rest so easy though, as they're not quite out of the woods yet, and to make things worse, their run-in after today consists of the following fixtures: Liverpool at home, Manchester United away, Newcastle away, Chelsea at home and Arsenal away.

2.16pmThis afternoon is shaping up to be quite a day out for Palace fans. Their team is safe for the second season in a row, and they will be able to pay tribute to two of their finest managers in recent history, who line up against each other at Selhurst Park.

2.14pmLikewise for West Brom, only one tweak from Pulis up front as Brown Ideye is replaced by Victor Anichebe.

2.12pmJust the one change for Palace as Pape Souare drops to the bench and makes way for Joe Ledley, who slots in at left-back.

2.10pmWEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBS: Rose, Wisdom, Olsson, Baird, McManaman, Sessegnon, Ideye

2.10pmWEST BROMWICH ALBION STARTING XI: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Lescott, Brunt, Gardner, Fletcher, Yacob, Morrison, Berahino, Anichebe

2.09pmCRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Hangeland, Kelly, Souare, Ameobi, Gayle, Sanogo

2.09pmCRYSTAL PALACE STARTING XI: Speroni, Ward, Delaney, Dann, Ledley, Bolasie, Jedinak, McArthur, Zaha, Puncheon, Murray

2.08pmNow, time for the team news...

2.06pmThe same cannot be said for the Baggies. Tony Pulis - who is just as revered as Pardew at Selhurst Park for keeping Palace up last season - brings his charges to South London under a bit of a cloud, following three defeats on the spin which have left them 14th in the Premier League table and just seven points above the drop zone.

2.03pmFor the second season in a row the Eagles have exceeded expectations, as Alan Pardew's stewardship has led them to 25 points from 12 matches after they had picked up just 17 from the previous 20 games. Needless to say, Palace are safe this season and their fans will make the most of a sunny, bright matchday in London this afternoon.

2.00pmGood afternoon folks, and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League clash between Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion at Selhurst Park!

Live Commentary: Crystal Palace 0-2 West Bromwich Albion - as it happened

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Teams mentioned in this article :

Crystal Palace

West Bromwich Albion