Christian Benteke scored twice as Crystal Palace eased some of the growing pressure on under-fire manager Alan Pardew with a 3-0 Premier League victory over Southampton at Selhurst Park.
Pardew's position has come under scrutiny after the Eagles lost six consecutive top-flight
matches, including last week's incredible 5-4 defeat to Swansea City, and they were only outside of the relegation zone on goal difference prior to Saturday's contest.
But Palace were given a huge helping hand against their manager's former club via an
uncharacteristic error from Fraser Forster, whose woeful missed kick allowed Benteke to open the scoring with his first goal for the club on home soil in the 33rd minute.
Southampton again did not cover themselves in glory for Palace's second just three minutes later as James Tomkins bundled home from a corner.
Claude Puel's side were much improved in the second half with teenager Josh Sims – who scored the winner on his debut against Everton last weekend – going close and Virgil van Dijk seeing a header hit the crossbar.
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