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5 things we learned

West Brom held on for a thrilling win at The Hawthorns after Connor Wickham led a stirring Palace fightback.

But this latest defeat sees Alan Pardew’s side slipping slowly towards the relegation zone after a tenth consecutive Premier League game without a win.

Facing his former club, Tony Pulis’ side were three goals up after only 30 minutes through goals from Craig Gardner, Craig Dawson and a stunning volley from Saido Berahino. And Gardner hit the post with a deflected free kick in first-half injury time the Baggies seemed set to romp to their biggest win of the season..

But the half-time introduction of Yannick Bolassie lifted the visiting side and Wickham pulled a goal back after 48 minutes. Berahino then hit the corner of the post and bar with a shot on a counterattack before Wickham scored his second after 80 minutes – and then sub Mile Jedinak had a header cleared off the line by Gardner.

All of Albion’s previous eight Premier League wins this season have also been by a single goal.

The win lifts Albion above Palace into 13 place and 11 points clear of the drop zone with 11 matches remaining. Wickham, whose season has been dogged by injury and suspension, had scored only one Premier League goal before tonight.

Read our ‘5 things we learned’ from the game here.

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Screamer from Wickham sets up big finale

Whatever you’re doing tonight, record Match of the Day.

This has been a thriller, and Connor Wickham’s second goal is the best of the lot so far.

His volley flew right into the top corner to set up a fine finale.

Can Palace do it?

Connor Wickham celebrates scoring Crystal Palace's first goal as Craig Dawson looks on (
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Action Images via Reuters / Ed Sykes)
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Olsson howler gifts Wickham goal

Crystal Palace are back in it here, thanks to a defensive mix-up.

A long header from the back looks fairly innocuous, but West Brom’s Jonas Olsson makes a complete mess of it, trying to leave it for Ben Foster.

Connor Wickham nips in, lifts the ball over the keeper and finishes.

Could there be a comeback on the cards?

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Half-time: Baggies running riot

Well that was pretty one-sided.

West Brom dominated the first half at the Hawthorns, running riot in attack and netting three unanswered goals.

There will surely be something of an inquest in the Palace dressing room, for they have been flat beyond belief.

Tony Pulis will have a spring in his step, however.

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Three and easy for West Brom

This gets better and better for the hosts, who get their third with a lovely move.

Salomon Rondon nods the ball down to Stephane Sessegnon, who clips a glorious ball over the Palace defence.

It is met by Saido Berahino, who guides the ball into the corner.

Lovely stuff. What’s up with Palace, though?

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Dawson nods home to make it 2-0

Yep, this is definitely no bore fest. West Brom have their second goal before the 20-minute mark!

Craig Gardner turns provider this time, whipping in a free-kick that Craig Dawson nods home.

The Baggies are rampant.

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Gardner strikes to put Baggies ahead

Man expected this one to be a cagey affair.

But we have an early goal to get things started at the Hawthorns.

It’s Craig Gardner who gets it, turning home from close range after Salomon Rondon’s shot is blocked by Wayne Hennessey.

Tony Pulis loved that.

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Baggies fans collecting money for Brunt charities

Last week, Chris Brunt was hit in the face by a coin thrown by a West Brom fan.

This week, Baggies fans are collecting money for an altogether better cause.

Supporters are going round with buckets at the Hawthorns, with the proceedings to be given to charities of Brunt’s choice.

Good stuff.

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Team news

The teams are in from the Hawthorns. Saido Berahino starts in attack for the hosts, getting the nod over Victor Anichebe in Tony Pulis’ side. There’s no Jonny Evans, who is injured.

For Crystal Palace, Martin Kelly keeps his place at the back, while Emmanuel Adebayor continues in attack.

  • West Brom: Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Brunt, Yacob, Gardner, Fletcher, Berahino, Sessegnon, Rondon
  • Subs: Myhill, Chester, Anichebe, McClean, Lambert, Pritchard, Sandro
  • Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Kelly, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Zaha, Ledley, Cabaye, Mutch, Wickham, Adebayor
  • Subs: Speroni, Mariappa, Jedinak, Lee, Bolasie, Chamakh, Gayle
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Pards to stay despite porr form?

Alan Pardew is ready to sign a new contract at Crystal Palace when their Premier League survival is guaranteed this season.

The Eagles boss, who will be a contender to succeed Roy Hodgson this summer, signed a three-and-a-half year deal when he moved from Newcastle last January.

Despite reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, Palace have slid down the table to 13th before tomorrow’s visit to Tony Pulis’ West Brom after failing to win in nine Premier League games.

Co-owner Steve Parish was in New York this week discussing the club’s future with new American investors David Blizter and Joshua Harris.

Asked about his contract talks, Pardew said: “They have progressed to a level where we are probably agreed and waiting to make sure we are a Premier League club next year which is nothing to do with Steve and more to do with me. When I get this team over the line, then I will sit down and finalise it and I won’t do that until I do.”

Follow all the action here as Pardew’s side face West Brom at the Hawthorns in the tea-time kick off.

Alan Pardew: Set for a new deal with the Eagles? (
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