Allardyce: We didn't let Arsenal play

Cape Town - Sam Allardyce was delighted with the way his side executed their game plan at Selhurst Park on Monday to record a comprehensive 3-0 win over Arsenal.

Goals from Andros Townsend, Yohan Cabaye and a Luka Milivojevic sealed the win, leaving Crystal Palace six points clear of the relegation places, in 16th.

The former Bolton and Newcastle manager has now picked up five wins from his last six games, and speaking after the game, he heaped praise on his squad for a well deserved win.

He said: "That’s two great victories in such a short space of time which you don’t expect. 

"It was a well-deserved one tonight – the whole emphasis on the players’ ability to shut Arsenal down and crowd them out of their fluent play was the key area to our success, and then to expose and exploit the space that Arsenal leave because of their attacking style of play.

“The quality of our final third play today and particularly Yohan Cabaye’s goal was outstanding, but the moves and the runs we made into the space Arsenal left were also a massive element to the success."

He added: "Arsenal didn’t have a shot on target in the second half and our defensive solidarity gives us the platform to win football matches. 

"Our attacking players are enjoying themselves more than they ever have this season and are flourishing in possession and scoring goals, so we have everything right at the moment and we just have to keep it up for a little bit longer.”