Alan Pardew: West Ham United fixture is "top-of-the-table" match

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has said that the club's match with West Ham United should be described as a "top-of-the-table" encounter after both sides started the Premier League campaign in impressive fashion.

Palace and the Hammers sit fourth and sixth respectively, both within four points of leaders Manchester City, and Pardew has admitted that the two London outfits can be pleased with their work in the opening two months of the season.

The 54-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "It is a top-of-the-table encounter. That is good for two teams who weren't predicted to be there at this stage of the season.

"We're coming off a good performance and West Ham will be aware of that. I am sure they will be looking to upset our rhythm and what we do really well."

Pardew will be welcoming his former club to Selhurst Park, having spent over three years in charge of West Ham between 2003 and 2006.