Odone Edouard’s first-half goal was enough to give Crystal Palace a 1-0 victory over Southampton.
Before the Eagles took the initiative, the away team put pressure on the hosts and showed a more dangerous side throughout.
Che Adams returned to the starting lineup for Ralph Hasenfutl and looked set to ruin an afternoon for the Eagles, but could only see his best effort hit the post.
It was a satisfying third straight win at home for the hosts, who will not return to Selhurst Park until Boxing Day.
Palace’s first chance came when Michael Olise scored a free kick into goal, but Southampton keeper Gavin Baznu turned it over.
A powerful shot from captain Luka Milivojević was blocked by Ryanko to give Palace a boost.
The Eagles supplied the ball to Wilfried Zaha with brilliant footwork from World Cup prospect Eberechi Eze, who shot across the front of the goal from the left.
The hosts managed to avoid what has become an unwelcome signing for Patrick Vieira this season, conceding a first-half lead after Adams slipped through multiple Palace shirts and shot into the right post.
And when Bazunu dove in to block a low effort at the left post, Eze, frustrated on the other side, opened slightly wide from the same spot.
The hosts thought they had scored the first goal when Eduardo found the net in the 32nd minute, but the Saints were saved by an offside flag.
Shortly after, the Southampton goalkeeper successfully saved Joachim Andersen’s header, but Palace looked to break the deadlock as they maintained their strength in the final third.
It was Edouard who finally found the net. After a few quick touches, neat Tyrick Mitchell put enough into his pass and in the 38th minute he scored the first goal from six yards out.
Southampton looked rejuvenated for the start of the second half, but Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita was forced to kneel and save from Adams’ powerful shot before evading Stuart Armstrong’s low shot at the left post. Until then, no action was taken.
As the Eagles tried to extend their advantage, Guaita blocked another attempt by Adams, Zaha was caught on a long ball from Orise but was unable to put in a shot, and Milivojević’s long-range effort ended with woodwork. I sailed at a fairly high place.
Saints skipper James Ward-Prowse tried for an equalizer but missed it wide as the game approached the 70th minute.
Substitute Jordan Ayou drove into the right area and looked as if he wasted an opportunity when he opted to pass in an attempt to double the Eagles’ lead.
The decision did not come at a cost as Palace avoided five minutes of injury time and Guaita dashed any hopes of both teams sharing points.
