Pulis effect paying off

Crystal Palace 2 Cardiff City 0

The former Stoke boss took charge at Selhurst Park a little over two weeks ago and has already steered the Eagles to two Premier League wins. Only an inferior goal difference is keeping Palace in the bottom three after Jerome and strike partner Marouane Chamakh both found the back of the net in a comfortable win over Cardiff.

“From a personal point of view and the team’s point of view, it’s magnificent that someone like that has come in,” the 27-year-old said of Pulis. “Since he’s come in he has carried on the momentum caretaker manager Keith Millen built up over those three or four games. Tony has come in and he has had a big impact. The boys have responded well to him and we’re getting good results.”

But whereas Palace are starting to rejoin the pack looking to secure top-flight safety, Cardiff have now won just once in their last nine Premier League games. Their derby success against rivals Swansea remains their only victory during that time and, although they held Manchester United to a 2-2 draw, Malky Mackay’s side are now just one point clear of Palace.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Speroni, Ward, Gabbidon, Delaney, Moxey (Mariappa 25), Puncheon, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Bannan (O’Keefe 84), Chamakh, Jerome.

CARDIFF: Marshall, Theophile-Catherine, Caulker, Turner, John, Cowie (Noone 46), Medel, Mutch, Whittingham, Kim (Odemwingie 60), Campbell (Cornelius 68).

Att: 23,705

Ref: Mike Jones (Cheshire).