May 15 2016

Jason Puncheon

Crystal Palace finished their league campaign with a dismal 4-1 defeat at Southampton.

Manager Alan Pardew made five changes to the team from their last game and the makeshift line-up endured another miserable league trip.

With Wayne Hennessey, Scott Dann, Wilfried Zaha, Yohan Cabaye, Yannick Bolasie and Connor Wickham rested, the Eagles failed to sparkle.

Julian Speroni, who equalled John Jackson's goalkeeper record of 388 appearances, was at fault for the opening goal two minutes before the half ended. The goalie climbed over Damian Delaney to weakly punch out Ryan Bertrand's cross and Sadio Mane lofted the ball into an open net.

Pardew introduced winger Sullay Kaikai at the break for his Premier League debut, with Graziano Pelle coming on for the Saints. And it was the Southampton man who extended their lead with a far post header from Cuco Martina's right-wing cross just past the hour mark.

Three minutes later, the Eagles pulled a goal back as Fraser Forster made a poor fist out himself and Jason Puncheon blasted an unstoppable shot into the top left corner.

Bertrand made it 3-1 to Saints with a 75th-minute penalty after Mane was fouled on the edge of the area between Adrian Mariappa and Delaney.

An unmarked Steven Davis add a fourth goal for Saints in the 87th minute with a low strike as Palace ended the season just five points above relegated Newcastle.

2015/16 match reports

2015/16 squad stats

Premier League table

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