Half-Time Report: Deflected header puts Crystal Palace ahead

A deflected Glenn Murray header has given Crystal Palace a 1-0 lead over West Ham United at half time in their Premier League clash at Upton Park this afternoon.

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West Ham applied the pressure early on as Aaron Cresswell intercepted a Jason Puncheon pass before curling it in towards the Palace goal, but his cross went behind.

The hosts came even closer a few minutes later when Mark Noble delivered a free kick, lifting it up and over the wall only to see his effort come back off the crossbar.

Palace started to come into the match more as half time approached, with Puncheon playing the ball in for Murray, who scuffed his finish wide.

Murray had another chance before the break, but it was a tight angle for the striker, leaving Adrian to make the save, before forcing the keeper into action again a few minutes later.

Murray did force the breakthrough shortly before the half-time whistle though, rising highest to head the ball towards Adrian, but it took a deflection off Cresswell to leave the keeper rooted to the spot.