Crystal Palace 1 West Brom 0 – Milivojevic penalty seals three points for South Londoners

Luka Milivojevic scored the only goal as Crystal Palace defeated relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion at Selhurst Park.

The midfielder’s 37th-minute penalty came after Darnell Furlong had handled Wilfried Zaha’s cross. It was an otherwise tetchy affair with few chances.

Baggies boss Sam Allardyce described this fixture as being more important for his side than it would be for Palace – who moved up to 11th on 37 points thanks to this win. The defeat for the Midlands outfit leaves them eight points from safety.

Conor Gallagher should have put the visitors ahead early on but decided to take a touch instead of shoot when a loose ball fell to the former Charlton loanee in the penalty area.

Palace took the lead eight minutes before half-time. Zaha found space on the edge of the penalty area to clip a cross into the box, but it appeared to be diverted away by the arm of Furlong. Referee Simon Hooper did not initially award a penalty but eventually did so after reviewing the footage on his pitchside monitor.

Milivojevic converted to score his first goal of the season.

There were few chances for either side in the second half, although it did seem likelier that the Eagles would extend their lead. Christian Benteke’s powerful drive was tipped over by Sam Johnstone and the Baggies goalkeeper also held on to an Ebere Eze strike from distance.

Vicente Guaita had little to do although was involved in some rare confusion among Palace’s defence. The Spaniard collided with Mbaye Diagne but Hooper saw little that would make him point to the spot for the second time.

The victory is Palace’s first in four matches and moves the South Londoners closer to the top half of the Premier League table.