April 12 2014

Jason Puncheon (Photo: Andy Roberts)

Crystal Palace edged nearer to another season in the Premier League after a 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

Jason Puncheon was again on target after his two goals against Cardiff last weekend as Palace secured their third success on the bounce.

There was little to say in the opening stages apart from Kagisho Dikgacoi's substitution through injury on 18 minutes, with Marouane Chamakh replacing him.

Palace had strong appeals for a penalty turned away by referee Howard Webb seven minutes before half-time.

A well-worked free-kick move between Joel Ward, Mile Jedinak and Jason Puncheon saw Yannick Bolasie on goal but he failed to connect under a challenge from Grant Holt with Webb waving away the Palace protests.

Chamakh nodded Adrian Mariappa's deep cross wide of the goal as the Eagles started to get going into the game.

After the interval, the hosts should have gone in front after Bolasie's cross from the left was pushed away by keeper Brad Guzan but straight to Cameron Jerome who shot against the bar from two yards out.

Bolasie was inches away from netting with a powerful, low strike that flew just past Guzan's post.

Then just past the hour mark, Webb awarded a penalty to the Eagles after Nathan Baker appeared to handle in the box - only to change his mind after consulting the linesman.

Palace finally got the goal they deserved on 76 minutes as Bolasie's cross fell to Puncheon who scored in off the post for his sixth goal of the season.

Moments later, he almost added another after he broke down the right and cut inside but his strike hit the upright.

Villa almost snatched a very late equaliser but Julian Speroni made a magnificent save to his left to keep out sub Andreas Weimann's effort.

Palace are seven points above the bottom three places, leapfrogging Villa, with five games remaining.

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