Pardew: Palace safe from drop

Cape Town - Wednesday night's draw against Everton was enough to secure Crystal Palace's place in next season's Premier League, says manager Alan Pardew.

Crystral Palace earned a vital point against the Toffees, a result that Alan Pardew feels is sufficient to keep them safe from relegation.

"That point might be crucial. I'd be very surprised if anyone in the bottom three can catch us," Pardew said.

While the point would no doubt be welcomed by the Eagles supporters, they may feel somewhat disappointed that their team couldn't grab all three on offer. Shortly after half-time, Toffees midfielder James McCarthy was shown a second yellow card, reducing Everton to ten men, but Palace failed to capitalise, despite the return of strikers Connor Wickham and Emmanuel Adebayor.

"We'd have liked to have won the game. We had some great chances. It's frustrating. But although I'm frustrated, I'm pleased with another good performance," Pardew added.

Given before the Norwich game the pressure we were under, I would've taken four points. The next two games are important. We've got two draws and a win, that's not bad after the run we were on."

Next weekend, the two clubs will be playing for the opportunity to face each other in the FA Cup final, with Everton facing Manchester United and Palace taking on Watford.