Crystal Palace 1 West Ham 0: Tony Pulis praises Marouane Chamakh

Tony Pulis singled out Marouane Chamakh for special praise after the striker’s goal against West Ham earned the new Crystal Palace manager his first win.

Chamakh, who joined the Eagles from Arsenal in the summer, headed home his first goal since August from Barry Bannan’s cross three minutes before half-time at Selhurst Park.

The win hoisted Palace off the bottom of the Premier League table and just three points from safety, and Pulis praised Chamakh’s work-rate after the final whistle.

We gave away the most ridiculous goal, from our point of view, that I’ve seen for a very long time

Sam Allardyce

“In the first 20 minutes we were on the back foot, we didn’t start well and looked pretty nervous but then we got into the game,” said Pulis.

“I’m very pleased for Marouane Chamakh, he has really worked hard. He and Cameron Jerome were a handful.”

The defeat left West Ham in 15th place and just three points above the drop zone.

And Hammers boss Sam Allardyce conceded that his side were made to pay for not putting away their chances.

“We did not have enough cutting edge, that was the problem for us and having had no problems in the first half we were looking to try and probe and get on target in the first half,” said Allardyce.

“But we gave away the most ridiculous goal, from our point of view, that I’ve seen for a very long time.”