EPL: Southampton 1-2 Crystal Palace
Luka Milivojevic celebrates
Luka Milivojevic's 80th-minute strike sealed a vital three points for Crystal Palace as they came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Southampton at St Mary's.
It was all going so well for the Saints as Shane Long ended his goal drought with his first strike since last February but James McArthur drew Palace level when he fired in from close range from Christian Benteke's knockdown.
The Eagles crowned an improved second-half performance as Andros Townsend set up Milivojevic who found the bottom corner from the edge of the box to complete the turnaround.
Palace's resurgence under Roy Hodgson continues with the side now up to 14th while Southampton are now 17th, outside of the drop zone on goal difference.
Pressure grows on Mauricio Pellegrino, whose side had an extra day to prepare for the game and looked the sharper team in the first half. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg came close to capping a fine move after 15 minutes but his 25-yard shot was tipped over by Wayne Hennessey.
But Palace - who have now won 11 points from losing positions this season - hadn't heeded the warning as two minutes later, they fell behind through an unlikely source.
Long had waited 1,320 minutes since his last goal - scored in a routine 4-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light - and produced a confident finish as he swivelled and fired low past Hennessey having collected Jeremy Pied's pass 12 yards out.
The relief was written across his face, and the Republic of Ireland forward played with a newly-found swagger as he nearly met Dusan Tadic's through-ball to double his account on the stroke of half-time.
Aware his side had been second best, Hodgson made a tactical change at the break as Wilfried Zaha was moved closer to Benteke and Patrick van Aanholt was introduced but it was his second change which had a significant impact.
Bakary Sako had watched on from the bench for over an hour but within five minutes of coming on, Palace were level. Sako lifted the travelling fans and after winning his side a free-kick, Townsend's delivery at the second attempt was knocked down by Benteke for McArthur to score.
Southampton offered little after the interval. Palace, sensing their opponents were out of ideas, completed the turnaround as after Sako combined with Townsend down the right, Milivojevic was in the right place to sweep home a sublime winner.
The Eagles crowned an improved second-half performance as Andros Townsend set up Milivojevic who found the bottom corner from the edge of the box to complete the turnaround.
Palace's resurgence under Roy Hodgson continues with the side now up to 14th while Southampton are now 17th, outside of the drop zone on goal difference.
Pressure grows on Mauricio Pellegrino, whose side had an extra day to prepare for the game and looked the sharper team in the first half. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg came close to capping a fine move after 15 minutes but his 25-yard shot was tipped over by Wayne Hennessey.
But Palace - who have now won 11 points from losing positions this season - hadn't heeded the warning as two minutes later, they fell behind through an unlikely source.
Long had waited 1,320 minutes since his last goal - scored in a routine 4-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light - and produced a confident finish as he swivelled and fired low past Hennessey having collected Jeremy Pied's pass 12 yards out.
The relief was written across his face, and the Republic of Ireland forward played with a newly-found swagger as he nearly met Dusan Tadic's through-ball to double his account on the stroke of half-time.
Aware his side had been second best, Hodgson made a tactical change at the break as Wilfried Zaha was moved closer to Benteke and Patrick van Aanholt was introduced but it was his second change which had a significant impact.
Bakary Sako had watched on from the bench for over an hour but within five minutes of coming on, Palace were level. Sako lifted the travelling fans and after winning his side a free-kick, Townsend's delivery at the second attempt was knocked down by Benteke for McArthur to score.
Southampton offered little after the interval. Palace, sensing their opponents were out of ideas, completed the turnaround as after Sako combined with Townsend down the right, Milivojevic was in the right place to sweep home a sublime winner.