Crystal Palace 4 Hull 0: Wilfried Zaha pounces on Andrea Ranocchia’s mistake, before Christian Benteke headed home to confirm Eagles’ saftey inside first 45 minutes
Swansea's win over Sunderland meant nothing but three points would do for Marco Silva's men and they confirmed their fate
Despite a good recent run, Sam Allaryce's men still need a win to confirm their own safety — and the three points were secured inside the first half when Christian Benteke headed home a second.
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Wilfried Zaha pounces on an Andrea Ranocchia mistake to make it 1-0Credit: PA:Press Association
With just five minutes remaining on the clock, it was another experienced defender in Michael Dawson who was at fault when he brought down Jason Puncheon in the box and Luka Milivojevic coolly slotted home the penalty.
Patrick van Aanholt added a late fourth to complete the rout.
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Hull have been relegated to the Championship joining Middlesbrough and SunderlandCredit: Reuters
Luka Milivojevic celebrates after making it 3-0 with a coolly-taken penaltyCredit: Reuters
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It was 4-0 to Crystal Palace through Patrick van Aanholt's late goalCredit: Reuters
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FACTS, STATS AND LOLS
These were nervous times at Palace let alone Hull. Sam Allardyce responded to the 5-0 battering at Manchester City and three successive losses by making two changes. James Tomkins started in the centre of defence in place of Patrick van Aanholt while French midfielder Yohan Cabaye came in James McArthur. There were also two changes for Hull. Brazilian midfielder Evandro and defender Michael Dawson replaced injured duo Lazar Markovic and Abel Hernandez.
The atmosphere at matches in the Premier League is often pretty poor — but Palace is still one place where it is decent. The crowd were certainly up for and their mood certainly improved after a few minutes.
Hull needed a nice, steady start. So they managed the absolute opposite. Michael Dawson headed the ball towards Andrea Ranocchia, he completely miskicked and Wilf Zaha showed composure to slot the ball past Eldin Jakupovic. Just two minutes and 13 seconds gone.
Luka Milivojevic has been a revelation for Palace and is not afraid to show his emotions. He gave Martin Kelly a verbal ear bashing following a Hull attack which could have led to the goal. On this occasion, Milivojevic should have kept quiet as he was the one caught out of position. But managed to get on the scoresheet with a cool penalty.
Harry Maguire is a top defender and will get a move this summer — but he will not be bought as a right-back. Maguire was played in this position against Palace and looked uncomfortable before switching at the break.
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Hull boss Marco Silva can hardly watch as his team drop out of the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
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Hull played leave the pitch at the end of the match after relegation is confirmedCredit: Reuters
And Maguire was then beaten in the air as Palace grabbed their second to condemn Hull to relegation — before half-time. Christian Benteke did well to get up in the air and connect to Jason Puncheon’s corner. It was the Belgian’s 17th goal for the season for Palace.
Silva made two half-time subs, taking both Ranocchia and Andy Robertson off with Jarrod Bowen and Shaun Maloney coming on. Maguire reverted to his better position in central defence but that lasted just a couple of minutes as he went off injured due to a problem with his right leg. Curtis Davies was his replacement. Hull did not get any better.
Hull were really poor away from home but this should not been any surprise. While their home form under Silva has been outstanding, it has been dreadful on their travels. Just two points from nine away under the manager.
Palace fans were singing “we are staying up.” The win guarantees Premier League football at Selhurst Park for a fifth successive year.
With five to go, Palace grabbed a third. Milivojevic netted from the penalty spot after Jeffrey Schlupp was brought down by Michael Dawson — and there was still time for a fourth.
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Sam Allardyce and Marco Silva shake hands at the end of the Selhurt Park matchCredit: Reuters
SOCIAL SAYS
WHAT THEY SAID
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The experienced Michael Dawson had a day to forget as Hull went downCredit: PA:Press Association
Hull captain Michael Dawson: "It is very hard. Giving them a goal so early on and we were 2-0 down at half time. With their pace, we the got caught with two more goals.
"The season has been a long hard slog and it is a sad day.
"The home performance against Sunderland put us in a bad position.
"We were chasing the game all afternoon, to get beaten 4-0 and get relegated it has not gone well.
"The boys in the dressing room and the staff are very disappointed.
"You work hard all year and then you get relegated, you have to pick yourselves up and we know what to do in the Championship.
"Marco Silva has done a fantastic job since he came in.
"He has done remarkably well to give us half a chance but we just came up short."
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Wilfried Zaha celebrates after opening scoring for Crystal Palace against HullCredit: Reuters
Wilfried Zaha: "It is massive, this win."We knew how big the game was and I am glad everyone delivered. I am happy to have played my part.
"I could not even dream of getting through on goal like I did and had to keep my cool.
"We were in control of the game after that. I was thinking, I have GOT to score this.
"I was buzzing when i did. The best thing to do is be calm and that is what I tried to do, just relax.
"Sometimes a lot goes your way and today it did. It has been a hard couple of months but we have managed to get out of it.
"We need to make sure we don't get in this position again.
"The fans have supported us through the losses, so it is massive for us and them."
