Alan Pardew: Jason Puncheon has Crystal Palace in his heart

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew lauded Jason Puncheon after the midfielder’s first goal of the season all but mathematically sealed Premier League survival.

Palace had lost nine of their prior 14 games — six straight at home — before Puncheon’s strike earned a 1-0 win over Norwich and surely secured the Eagles’ top-flight status.

Pardew refused to celebrate survival with Palace 16th, on 37 points and 10 points clear of third bottom Sunderland with six games to go. But he did praise Puncheon.