Stoke 1-0 Crystal Palace: Joe Allen strikes cultured finish to heap more misery on Sam Allardyce's men

Daily Mail | February 11, 2017

Joe Allen's impressive season for Stoke continued as his wonderfully cultured effort in the second half proved to be enough to claim three points against struggling Crystal Palace.

The home side dominated the first 45 minutes in terms of possession but in truth the opening period was a cagey affair with defences well on top.

Allen was the man to break the deadlock with a cultured finish, low into the bottom corner and Palace were unable to mount a fightback as their relegation-threatened season took another turn for the worse.

More to follow...

Joe Allen raises his arm in celebration after scoring his side's opening goal of the game with a well taken low finish

Allen placed his finish and the precision proved to be decisive as Damien Delaney failed to position himself for the blocku00a0 — Allen placed his finish and the precision proved to be decisive as Damien Delaney failed to position himself for the block

Allen and Ramadan Sobhi wheel away in delight as Stoke finally managed to find a breakthrough in the gameu00a0 — Allen and Ramadan Sobhi wheel away in delight as Stoke finally managed to find a breakthrough in the game

Ryan Shawcross was a picture of delight after seeing his home side take the lead in the 67th minute of the matchu00a0 — Ryan Shawcross was a picture of delight after seeing his home side take the lead in the 67th minute of the match

Andros Townsend does well to hold off Marko Arnautovic who finds himself on the wrong side of the Palace winger

Townsend brings the ball down in plenty of space after controlling the ball on his chest before assessing his options

Peter Crouch shows his class by plucking the ball out of the air with instant control under the attention of Damien Delaney

Allen attempts to shake off Patrick van Aanholt as the Welshman accelerates away down the right wing

Delaney clashes in the air with Ramadan Sobhi as both players commit fully to win the ball for their sidesu00a0 — Delaney clashes in the air with Ramadan Sobhi as both players commit fully to win the ball for their sides

Wilfried Zaha is a picture of focus as he attempts to elude Charlie Adam and Erik Pieters with his dribbling skillu00a0 — Wilfried Zaha is a picture of focus as he attempts to elude Charlie Adam and Erik Pieters with his dribbling skill

Zaha takes a tumble which the Ivorian feels warranted a free kick but the referee dismissed his protestsu00a0 — Zaha takes a tumble which the Ivorian feels warranted a free kick but the referee dismissed his protests

Andros Townsend escapes on the touchline with a well timed drag back under pressure from two Stoke playersu00a0 — Andros Townsend escapes on the touchline with a well timed drag back under pressure from two Stoke players

Sam Allardyce directs his players from the sidelines in a first half of very few chances for either teamu00a0 — Sam Allardyce directs his players from the sidelines in a first half of very few chances for either team

Arnautovic manages to unleash a shot from the edge of the box with Puncheon and James Tomkins attempting to block

Zaha raises one hand in apology to the referee as Martin Atkinson shows the Palace forward a yellow cardu00a0 — Zaha raises one hand in apology to the referee as Martin Atkinson shows the Palace forward a yellow card

Arnautovic and Charlie Adam writhe on the turf in pain after colliding late in the game at Bet365 Stadium

Townsend whips the ball in as Palace chased an equaliser with Bruno Martins Indi stretching out his leg to block