Crystal Palace 0 Albion 2 - Report and pictures
A fabulous goal from Craig Gardner capped a priceless win for West Brom as they moved a huge step closer to Premier League safety with victory at Selhurst Park.
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Tony Pulis' winning return to his former club was aided by a second-minute opener from James Morrison, before Gardner struck on 53 minutes.
The victory – Albion's first on the road in the Premier League under Pulis – moves the Baggies to 36 points and surely far enough clear of the relegation zone to breathe easy.
And it was witnessed by 2,600 travelling fans who were bathed in sunshine after 33 free coaches had made the trip from the Hawthorns.
Albion made a dream start as they led within two minutes.
Saido Berahino broke on the left and forced a corner and, when Chris Brunt delivered, Morrison escaped a flat-footed Jason Puncheon and made no mistake with a free header from eight yards.
Palace responded well and forced a couple of half-chances.
Glenn Murray miscued a shot from a short free-kick and then James McArthur had a long-range effort held comfortably by goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.
Goals: Morrison 2, Gardner 53
Crystal Palace (4-3-3-1): Speroni, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Ledley (Souare 46), Puncheon, Jedinak (Gayle 46), McArthur (Sanogo 80), Zaha, Murray, Bolasie.
Substitutes not used: Hennessey (GK), Hangeland, Sanogo, Ameobi, Kelly.
Albion (4-4-2): Myhill, Dawson (Wisdom 52), McAuley, Lescott, Brunt, Morrison, Fletcher, Yacob, Gardner (Olsson 81), Berahino (Baird 88), Anichebe.
Substitutes not used: Rose (GK), Ideye, McManaman, Sessegnon.
Referee: Jon Moss (West Yorkshire)
Attendance: 24,765[/breakout]
Albion claimed a penalty when Victor Anichebe went down under a challenge from Mile Jedinak.
The Australian appeared to make contact with the striker but referee Jonathan Moss ruled it was not enough to constitute a foul.
Myhill then made a smart save low down with his legs to deny Yannick Bolasie, after Albion failed to clear their lines.
And the hosts then claimed a penalty of their own, when Gardner appeared to barge into Wilfried Zaha in the box as they contested a cross.
Myhill was called into action again when he reacted quickly and showed strong hands to push away a fine overhead kick from Bolasie.
Palace made a double change at half-time, with Dwight Gayle and Pape Souare added to the mix.
But they found themselves 2-0 down eight minutes after the restart thanks to Gardner's thunderbolt.
He collected a half-cleared Brunt corner and advanced towards goal before letting fly from an angle and beating goalkeeper Julian Speroni with a superb effort from 30 yards.
That sparked a period of Palace pressure, although Berahino went close to a third for Albion with an effort from the corner of the box that dipped just wide.
Palace enjoyed some possession but it was Albion who had the better chances to score with Speroni saving well from Berahino after he pounced on some hesitant defending.
That was until the final minutes when Yaya Sanogo turned in a cross-shot from Jason Puncheon and turned away to celebrate, only for an offside flag to keep Albion's two-goal lead intact.
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