Coming off the back of a performance of the highest quality to defeat Liverpool at Anfield – one recognised by the League Managers’ Association as the best of the gameweek – the Eagles had plenty of wind beneath their wings for the arrival of David Moyes’ Hammers, who had been competing in the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals.
In a first-half of near perfection, Palace were first to every loose ball, snapping into tackles, shifting the ball forwards quickly, finding runners – and sprawling all over their East London opposition – to go into the half-time break leading 4-1.