Crystal Palace have thrashed Leicester City by a 5-0 scoreline in Saturday's Premier League clash at Selhurst Park.
First-half goals from Wilfried Zaha and James McArthur put Palace in control before Leicester's Marc Albighton was dismissed shortly after the break.
Palace remained in control but the the Eagles sealed the points in style as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Patrick van Aanholt and Christian Benteke all netted in the final nine minutes to ensure that Palace ended the afternoon six points above the relegation zone.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in London courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Crystal Palace and Leicester City. A win for either team will take them closer to their end-of-season goal but who will prevail at Selhurst Park? Let's see who features in each starting lineup...
CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Hennessey; Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt; Loftus-Cheek, McArthur, Cabaye, Milivojevic; Townsend, Zaha
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBSTITUTES: Speroni, Kelly, Wan-Bissaka, Lee, Schlupp, Sorloth, Benteke
LEICESTER CITY XI: Hamer; Albrighton, Maguire, Morgan, Chilwell; Gray, Choudhury, Ndidi, Mahrez; Iheanacho, Vardy
LEICESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Jakupovic, Simpson, Dragovic, Fuchs, Silva, Barnes, Diabate
Let's start by taking a look at Palace with Roy Hodgson opting to name the same side which recorded a goalless draw with Watford last weekend. The Eagles produced a strong second-half performance at Vicarage Road so Hodgson's choice does not come as much of a surprise.
It means that Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha have been kept as Palace's front two, with Christian Benteke still having to make do with a place among the replacements. Alexander Sorloth also remains with a spot on the bench, but the Eagles at least have attacking options should they be required.
The one alteration on the bench sees Jeffrey Schlupp return in place of Jairo Riedewald. Schlupp will be hoping to get on the pitch against his former club.
As for Leicester, boss Claude Puel has decided to hand a recall to Wes Morgan, who only featured on the bench against Southampton nine days ago. Aleksandar Dragovic is the man who has dropped out of the defence.
The only other alteration sees Hamza Choudhury be brought back into the team in place of Adrien Silva. The academy graduate's only other start this season came at Burnley two weeks ago.
Kelechi Iheanacho retains his spot in the starting lineup with the Nigerian making just his fifth start in the Premier League this season. The forward's move from Manchester City is yet to work out.
LATEST! There are just minutes remaining at Anfield but Liverpool and Stoke City are still goalless. Click here to follow added-on time on Merseyside.
The match at Selhurst Park is one of five games to be starting at 3pm, BST. Many of the fixtures involve teams battling at the wrong end of the table so we will do our best to keep you up-to-date.
Before we bring you the result from Anfield, let's see what the managers have had to say ahead of this match. This encounter means more to Palace than Leicester, but Puel is keen to focus on his own team heading into today's contest. Click here to read his thoughts.
Palace manager Hodgson has been speaking about what points total may be required to remain in the top flight. The former England chief is of the opinion that 38 points could be enough - Palace can reach that target this afternoon.
RESULT! The full-time whistle has been blown at Anfield and Stoke have held on to claim a 0-0 draw against Liverpool. It may not be enough for the Potters, but it's a small step in the right direction. Click here to read our on-the-whistle report.
As far as the table is concerned, Stoke have closed the gap on Palace to five points but Paul Lambert's team have just two more games to play. It means that they are unable to catch any club who gains 37 points. As we have already mentioned, Palace can move past that total with victory over Leicester.
Between the middle of January and the opening 10 days of March, Palace were poor but Hodgson and his squad deserve credit for their recent run. Eight points have been registered from five games, with the only defeat coming against Liverpool. It is looking increasingly likely that it will be enough for Palace to remain in this division.
Palace have also found a way to keep two clean sheets in five games. That's nothing that spectacular but when you are trying to avoid relegation, shutouts are like gold dust.
The London outfit find themselves in a strong position with regards to staying up and they have also been given a favourable run-in with Stoke and West Bromwich Albion still to come. It will be a monumental shock if Palace do not stay at the top tier.
However, one record to be wary of is that Palace have only kept two clean sheets at home all season. It's the worst return in the Premier League. As many as 28 goals have been conceded in the first half both home and away.
One of Christian Benteke's two league goals this season came away at Leicester but the Belgian is yet to score at Selhurst Park. The Belgian will want to change that before the end of the campaign.
Leicester may remain in the top half of the table but the Foxes have recorded just 10 points from their last 10 games in the top flight. It means that Puel needs to deliver a couple of positive results to boost his chances of remaining in charge.
With the Frenchman possessing a record of 12 wins and 10 draws from 31 matches in all competitions, it may feel that the club's hierarchy should not be considering a change but they showed with Claudio Ranieri and Craig Shakespeare that they can be ruthless and reports this week have suggested that a change is under consideration.
The main positive for Leicester is that they know how to score goals. The goalless draw to Southampton was the first time that they have not found the back of the net in 11 matches. Leicester have also scored in all but three of their 17 fixtures away from home in the top flight this season. Only Manchester United, Bournemouth and Chelsea have kept Vardy and co out.
Talking of Vardy and he has already reached 20 goals in all competitions this season. It has not been a regular occurrence for the striker with the feat now only been achieved twice in six seasons.
PREDICTION! Palace have not necessarily been fantastic at home this season but we are backing the Eagles to edge out a Leicester side who are struggling to put together a complete performance as we move closer to the end of the campaign. Palace to win 2-1.
HEAD TO HEAD! Saturday's meeting represents the 69th competitive encounter between the teams, with Leicester registering 26 wins in comparison to 24 victories for Palace. Whether it has been in the Premier League, Championship or FA Cup, these two teams have faced each other in every year since 2006!
In general, Leicester have had the better of the last five contests but Palace ended a run of four matches without a win by thrashing the Foxes 3-0 at the King Power Stadium earlier this season. Click here to read back on that fixture.
It's time for the two teams to make their way out onto the pitch at Selhurst Park. The Palace fans have been pleased with their side's recent results but can the Eagles make it 11 points from a possible 18 with victory this afternoon?
A reminder of the two teams...
CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Hennessey; Ward, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt; Loftus-Cheek, McArthur, Cabaye, Milivojevic; Townsend, Zaha
LEICESTER CITY XI: Hamer; Albrighton, Maguire, Morgan, Chilwell; Gray, Choudhury, Ndidi, Mahrez; Iheanacho, Vardy
KICKOFF! Leicester get us underway.
CHANCE! The first chance of the game goes to McArthur who is able to run onto a pass from Townsend but the midfielder's low effort is weak and easily saved by Hamer.
Palace have started this game very positively. Zaha does well down the left before the home side win a corner. The delivery is only half cleared before Tomkins sees a shot deflected wide.
CHANCE! Much better from Leicester who put together a move started and finished by Iheanacho. However, the forward's header from a Chilwell cross goes over.
Both teams are certainly looking to play on the front foot where they can. It's expected from Palace but Leicester are also showing intent when they are in possession.
CHANCE! Hamer gets lucky here! The goalkeeper mistimes a punch from a corner and Tomkins sends a shot towards the bottom corner, only for Iheanacho to clear off the line!
It's gone a bit quiet around either penalty area but the ball is still being fiercely-contested in the middle of the pitch. This game is warming up nicely.
Even with a 4-4-2 formation, Palace are finding plenty of time on the ball and plenty of options in each area of the pitch. They are playing like a team full of confidence.
CHANCE! Ward clears off the line! The full-back played Vardy onside - who had latched onto Iheanacho's pass - and the striker's effort was finding the bottom corner until Ward got back to save the day.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-0 Leicester City (Wilfried Zaha)
What a goal this is! Loftus-Cheek, Cabaye and McArthur all combine on the edge of the penalty area before McArthur's back heel finds Zaha around 16 yards out and the winger kept his composure to lash a powerful shot into the top corner.
LATEST! That goal was the first of the 3pm kickoffs. There is a long way to go but if Palace remain ahead, they are all but safe, you would think.
Leicester have made a habit of conceding the first goal in matches and they need to find a way to come from behind in this fixture. The Foxes are playing well, but they are now chasing the game.
A clever free kick routine involving Mahrez leads to Iheanacho being able to get a volley away from just inside of the penalty area, but his effort was blocked by a defender.
I'm pretty sure that we are going to have a few more goals in this match. Both sides are playing to their strengths and that is by attacking.
LATEST! Southampton have taken the lead against Bournemouth. Dusan Tadic has gotten on the scoresheet for the Saints, who desperately need a win today.
By taking Benteke out of the side, Hodgson has given Palace a whole new dimension. Their movement in the final third is fantastic and Leicester can't handle it.
CHANCE! Hamer keeps Palace in this game. Another well-constructed move ends with Zaha getting a half-volley on goal but the stand-in Leicester stopper tips the ball wide of the post.
LATEST! Is the great escape still on? It would appear so. West Brom have taken the lead at Newcastle United! Click here to keep up-to-date with that fixture.
The last few minutes have belonged to Palace who continue to play with a swagger. Leicester need to reach the break facing no more than a one-goal deficit or else this could turn out to be a comfortable afternoon for the home team.
When Leicester do attack, it's in numbers. Albrighton and Chilwell are both offensively-minded and are taking every opportunity to get down the flank. They need to be careful when play comes back at them, however.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 2-0 Leicester City (James McArthur)
Palace have doubled their advantage and it's another cracking goal! I'm not sure that Zaha's pass is intended for McArthur but the Scot controls the ball before firing into the bottom corner on the turn from 14 yards out.
LATEST! Everton have gone in front at Huddersfield Town. The Terriers are also one win away from a points total which could keep them in the division but it's the Toffees who lead at the John Smith's Stadium.
To Leicester's credit, they are still trying to play football but they are just getting overpowered by a rampant Palace side. It's difficult to see Palace letting this lead slip.
Albrighton surges down the right flank and gets fouled by Loftus-Cheek. The Foxes have a chance to get the ball into the box from the flank.
Mahrez's delivery is a good one but Hennessey comes out to punch clear. There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Crystal Palace 2-0 Leicester City
The half-time whistle goes at Selhurst Park and Palace hold a convincing 2-0 lead at the break thanks to goals from Zaha and McArthur. The home side have been excellent and fully deserve to be in front, and you have to question whether Leicester are capable of overturning things after the break. Puel has plenty of work to do.
When all it said and done at the end of the season, Palace's opener will be up there with their best of the season. Three players all made quick passes on the edge of the area before a back-heel found the run of Zaha, who then lashed a shot into the roof of the net from just inside of the penalty area.
Palace's second was also well made. Zaha played a pass along the edge of the area and although it probably was not intended for McArthur, the Scot took hold of the ball before finding the bottom corner of the net. It's his first goal since December.
Leicester have had their opportunities but aside from a Vardy effort which was cleared off the line, Hennessey has not had much work to do. The issue has not been with Leicester's play, however. It has been trying to find a balance between defence and attack.
Puel is making two changes. Adrien Silva and Fousseni Diabate are replacing Choudhury and Iheanacho.
KICKOFF! Palace get us back underway. Before half time, Bournemouth found an equaliser against Southampton, which is good news for Palace.
Leicester are straight onto the front foot with only a fine block from a Palace defender preventing an Albrighton cross from being fired into a middle.
SUBSTITUTION! This is a disaster for Puel. Having already made two changes, he is now being forced into a third. Ndidi has picked up a knock and will be replaced by Dragovic.
Maguire has been moved into midfield with Dragovic going into defence. Leicester continue to go on the offensive but no chances to speak of just yet.
BOOKING! Cabaye has been booked for a late challenge in the middle of the park.
Cabaye needs to be careful. He's just stopped another move and then stood in front of the ball to prevent a free kick being taken! Don't be surprised to see him substituted before too long.
RED CARD! Albrighton has been sent off for pulling down Zaha when the ball was delivered over the top. The goalkeeper would have probably got there first but it's the right decision from the referee.
You would think that is that as far as the game is concerned. Leicester are down to 10 men and are out of substitutions!
LATEST! Southampton have retaken the lead against Bournemouth. Right now, it's the only thing which is going against Palace this afternoon.
I've no idea what formation Leicester are trying to play now but it doesn't involve many defenders. Chilwell may be being used in a back three. Palace are waiting to pounce on the break.
We have not had many chances since the restart and this game may continue down that path. For Palace, it's all about seeing out the match.
Still nothing much to talk about aside from Leicester playing the ball about and Palace being content to wait for a chance to break.
Sakho just found himself as the man furthest forward but such is Palace's mentality now that the centre-back turned straight back to play a simple pass.
CHANCE! Palace are finally starting to up the tempo again. McArthur is played in down the left-hand side of the area but his dinked shot floats over the crossbar.
LATEST! As it stands, West Brom and Southampton are winning their games and Huddersfield are losing. It could be about to get tighter at the bottom of the standings.
Hodgson will surely take the chance to make some changes during the final 15 minutes. There is very little danger of this match swinging in Leicester's favour and it would be a good opportunity to take off Cabaye, who is on a booking.
CHANCE! Almost a chance for Leicester! Silva's cross was on its way to finding Vardy at the near post but Tomkins got himself in the way to divert the ball behind for a corner.
BOOKING! Silva goes into the book for a foul in the middle of the pitch. Only the Portugese and Cabaye are carrying yellow cards.
With 10 minutes to go, Hodgson is finally contemplating a change. It will have to wait until his team have given up possession.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 3-0 Leicester City (Ruben Loftus-Cheek)
Game over! Sakho is urged to shoot from the halfway line but instead, he threads the ball through to Loftus-Cheek who beats the offside trap. The Chelsea loanee bides his time before rounding Hamer and tapping into an empty net.
GOAL! Crystal Palace 4-0 Leicester City (Patrick van Aanholt)
It's four! Schlupp - who has just come on - beats the offside trap and sees a shot blocked by Hamer but after the ball rebounds to Van Aanholt on the edge of the box, he curls the ball into an empty net from 20 yards.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Hodgson has made two more changes with Lee and Benteke replacing Loftus-Cheek and Townsend.
It's party time at Selhurst Park. Morgan has just tried to score from 40 yards for Leicester. You can imagine the reaction from the crowd.
PENALTY TO CRYSTAL PALACE! Palace get a penalty after Benteke is felled by Maguire. Benteke to take...
GOAL! Crystal Palace 5-0 Leicester City (Christian Benteke)
Benteke slips when taking the penalty but the ball still goes down the middle and into the net. It's his first goal at Selhurst Park this season!
FULL TIME: Crystal Palace 5-0 Leicester City
The full-time whistle goes at Selhurst Park and Palace have hit five without reply against Leicester. The home side were superb and fully deserve the margin of their victory. As for Leicester, this may be the result which leads to Puel not being in charge next season.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
