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Jason Puncheon says the Crystal Palace players are starting to understand what Sam Allardyce wants

Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

Jason Puncheon believes the Sam Allardyce effect is starting to rub off on Crystal Palace.

Palace moved out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win against Middlesbrough and Puncheon says survival expert Allardyce is beginning to have an impact at Selhurst Park.

Allardyce has admitted it has taken Palace players some time to latch on to his methods but a resilient display on Saturday, and only a second win in the Premier League since he took over, was evidence the Eagles may well have turned a corner in their bid to stay up.

Puncheon said: “You saw the benefits of working more on what he wants from us players. That showed on Saturday. I think we are starting to understand what he wants from us.

“It has been difficult for both the fans and the players but it is nice to go home with a smile on your face knowing that you are out of the bottom three.

“That win was needed. I think that was the best we have played in a long time at home, perhaps even going back to last season. We have got to build on this now. Hopefully we can carry this momentum into the West Brom game next week.”

Palace are a point above the bottom three with just seven points separating seven teams at the foot of the table.

Allardyce said: “If we had lost it would have made life extremely difficult. If we had drawn it would be another point, but the win was what we were looking for.

“It brings a lot of pleasure, seeing the lads applying themselves like they did and doing what was needed for 90 minutes to win the game.”

Palace will drop back into the relegation zone tonight if Leicester City beat Liverpool in their first game since Claudio Ranieri was sacked so unexpectedly last Friday.

Leicester are stepping up their search for a new manager with Guus Hiddink, Roberto Mancini and former Palace boss Alan Pardew among the names being linked with the job.

Caretaker manager Craig Shakespeare, former No2 to Ranieri, is also said to be a contender.

Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel spoke out over the weekend to strongly deny any involvement in the sacking of Ranieri.