Victory at Liverpool in late April looked to have secured Crystal Palace’s Premier League status but a hat trick of defeats later, including Saturday’s most recently thrashing at Manchester City, has seen Palace dragged back into the dogfight.
Palace, who hold a four point cushion on third-bottom Hull, have to face Marco Silva’s side next weekend in a crucial relegation six pointer at Selhurst Park. The Tigers, along with Swansea, a place above the drop zone and one below the Eagles, can also overtake us.
However, a win against Hull on Sunday and Palace’s Premier League survival will be confirmed.
Sam Allardyce was left in little doubt Saturday’s 5-0 drubbing at the Etihad Stadium, this thrashing by Man City, fourth, was the biggest Palace have suffered all season, is one we’ve got to put right.
The boss also said, when quoted by the BBC, he wants our topflight status to be determined by what Palace achieve, not the shortcomings of others. But, and I think I speak for all, I say we’ll happily take Hull and/or Swansea failing to get the results they need to stay in the Premier League if it means we do!
Allardyce said: ‘It’s our responsibility to try to beat Hull next week. I want to win that one, there is no way I want other people to be slipping up and us staying safe because of that. I want to win it and do it ourselves.’
What a huge game that will be at Selhurst, not quite a winner takes all one as a Hull win wouldn’t secure their safety, but a Palace victory and it confirms we’ll be at the top table next season.
