Alan Pardew has defended the “outstanding” Quique Sanchez Flores’ record at Watford amid increasing speculation about the manager’s position.

Louis van Gaal is unconcerned by Paul Scholes’ criticism of Manchester United for “lacking creativity”, citing the nursery rhyme: “Sticks and stones can break my bones but names can never hurt me.”

Chelsea 1 Crystal Palace 2: It might not be a fully-blown crisis at Stamford Bridge, but there are clearly problems for Jose Mourinho to address after Chelsea’s worst start in over a decade, and Crystal Palace skipper Damien Delaney agrees with the Portuguese that it is all about one thing — hunger.

Crystal Palace 1  Arsenal 2:

Crystal Palace 1 Man United 2: Ashley Young’s popular – or more correctly unpopular – image is that of a player who dives to ground rather than rising to a challenge, but there is no denying the determination of a man who has transformed his own and Manchester United’s fortunes over the past year.

Manchester United’s victory at Crystal Palace may have been unconvincing, but Louis van Gaal’s men will not mind after edging closer to a Champions League return.

Crystal Palace 2 Man City 1: Manchester City’s title defence is all but over after a defeat that leaves Manuel Pellegrini’s side languishing in fourth place, nine points adrift of the leaders Chelsea.

Crystal Pailace 3, QPR 1:

QPR's Premier League status is looking more precarious than ever after Crystal Palace ran amok in the first half at Selhurst Park today.

Premier League

Liverpool exorcised some demons at Selhurst Park by reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals with an impressive win against Crystal Palace.

Southampton will be without Shane Long for up to six weeks after he fractured a couple of ribs, it is understood.

Premier League

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew believes once striker Dwight Gayle finds his inner confidence he will be a real handful for Barclays Premier League defences.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew could be on the verge of bringing a tumultuous four-year reign on Tyneside to an end and agreeing terms to take over as the new manager of Crystal Palace.

Tottenham’s poor home form made a worrying return as they stumbled to a 0-0 draw against relegation-threatened Crystal Palace.

Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0

Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0

Although Tony Pulis may still not admit it, his Crystal Palace side are all-but safe after earning a deserved victory over a poor Aston Villa side at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace 1 Chelsea 0

John Terry’s own goal blew the race for the Barclays Premier League title wide open once again as Crystal Palace snatched an unlikely lifeline.

England striker Daniel Sturridge scored twice in as many minutes – including a stunning lob – as Liverpool thrashed Everton 4-0 in the Merseyside derby.

Juan Mata has been handed his first Manchester United start for their Barclays Premier League encounter with Cardiff – and Robin van Persie returned too as David Moyes’ men looked to kick-start their season.

Crystal Palace 1 Stoke 0

Crystal Palace 1 Norwich 1

Manchester City 1 Crystal Palace 0

Man City 1 Crystal Palace 0

Chelsea 2 Crystal Palace 1

Chelsea 2 Crystal Palace 1

West Brom 2 Crystal Palace 0

Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 2

Crystal Palace 0 Arsenal 2

Southampton 2 Crystal Palace 0

Stoke came from behind with two goals in four minutes against Crystal Palace to ensure Mark Hughes’ first home game in charge of the Potters ended in victory.

Crystal Palace 0 Tottenham 1

Crystal Palace 1 Watford 0 (AET)

Crystal Palace 2 Blackpool 2

Leeds 2 Crystal Palace 1

CHELSEA’S progress into the fourth round of the FA Cup was anything but serene, no matter what the scoreline might suggest, and the rewards were most certainly mixed.

Chelsea 4 Portsmouth 0

Andre Villas-Boas named a strong-looking Chelsea line-up for this afternoon’s FA Cup third round tie with Portsmouth.

West Ham 4 Portsmouth 3

BILLY DAVIES’ best laid plans flew out of the window after just 23 minutes but the Nottingham Forest manager was delighted with his players after the battling 1-1 draw at QPR yesterday.