Crystal Palace maintained their 100% away record under Alan Pardew with a 3-1 victory over West Ham United at Upton Park today.
An Aaron Cresswell own goal and headers from Scott Dann and Glenn Murray gave the visitors a commanding lead before the latter was shown a red card for a second bookable offence.
The hosts pushed for an unlikely comeback and, having hit the woodwork twice, finally got on the scoresheet through Enner Valencia, but it was not enough to spark a recovery.
Here, Sports Mole rates how each player performed during an eventful London derby.
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WEST HAM
Goal
Adrian: Made a few good stops to deny Murray in the first half, although he would have expected to save each. Was helpless for all three of Palace's goal. (6/10)
Defence
Carl Jenkinson: Caught out on the break at times, with Bolasie proving to be a handful on more than one occasion. Never shy to get forward, but his final ball was lacking on too many occasions. (5/10)
James Tomkins: Struggled to deal with Murray's movement and always looked to be a bit on edge. Was caught napping for the second goal as the Palace striker nipped in front of him to glance a header home. (5/10)
Winston Reid: Also found it difficult to handle Murray. Made one or two important contributions, but they were mainly as a result of a poor starting position. Was also beaten too easily in the air for Palace's second goal. (5/10)
Aaron Cresswell: Shanked an attempted clearance past his own goalkeeper in what will surely be credited as an own goal to open the scoring. Was not great in possession either and put in perhaps his worst performance for the club to date. (4/10)
Midfield
Alex Song: Allowed Puncheon far too much space time after time, which enabled the Palace man to pull the strings. One moment in the second half summed his match up as he lazily allowed a Palace player to win the ball ahead of him when heading back towards his own goal. Hauled off just after the hour mark. (4/10)
Cheikhou Kouyate: Nowhere near the towering presence he was against Spurs as West Ham struggled to have things their own way in the middle of the park. (5/10)
Mark Noble: Struck the crossbar with a fine free kick early on and was one of his side's brighter players, particularly in the closing stages when he created a couple of good chances. (6/10)
Stewart Downing: Struggled to get into the match at all. He will claim an assist for the Valencia goal, but that was all about the finish. (5/10)
Attack
Diafra Sakho: Was instrumental against Spurs with his tireless pressure, but this was a different type of game and it didn't suit him. Was well marshalled by the Palace defence. (5/10)
Enner Valencia: His side's best player on the day, although that isn't saying much. Never stopped running and picked up his first home league goal for his efforts, producing a powerful finish from the edge of the box. (6/10)
Substitutes
Nene: Made his debut from the bench and showed glimpses of his talent, clipping the outside of the post with a fine curling effort and drawing another save from Adrian late on. (6/10)
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CRYSTAL PALACE
Goal
Julian Speroni: Made an incredible save to deny Valencia and was also called into action to thwart Jenkinson during West Ham's late barrage. Perhaps could have done more with the goal having got a hand to it, but on the whole a good display. (7/10)
Defence
Joel Ward: Kept busy by Valencia's tireless running but stood up to the challenge well. Got forward when possible but never shirked his defensive duties. (6/10)
Scott Dann: Got his name on the scoresheet with a towering header and kept the likes of Sakho and Valencia quiet at the other end until the red card. (8/10)
Damien Delaney: Another important part of Palace's defensive efforts. Dealt with Sakho well and helped to weather the late storm from the hosts. (7/10)
Martin Kelly: Solid performance at the back from Kelly, who contributed to a good defensive effort from the whole team. (6/10)
Midfield
Wilfried Zaha: Should have been more involved given Palace's gameplan of hitting West Ham on the break. Never really got into the game and, when he threatened to, his decision-making let him down. (6/10)
Jason Puncheon: The man of the match. Was given plenty of room by Song and took full advantage by threaded passes through for Murray. Supplied the three deliveries from set pieces that led to Palace's goals. (8/10)
Mile Jedinak: His first start under Pardew and a good, solid performance in the middle of the park. Whipped a free kick narrowly wide but was also lucky to escape a red card for an elbow on Sakho that could be looked at retrospectively. (6/10)
Jordon Mutch: Lasted little more than half an hour before being forced off with an injury. (6/10)
Yannick Bolasie: His pace posed a constant threat on the break that proved useful for Palace. Questions still linger over his end product, though. (7/10)
Attack
Glenn Murray: An eventful match. Will try to claim the first goal as his header drew the sliced clearance from Cresswell and got one that will definitely go down as his to put the Eagles 3-0 up. Fortunate not to be sent off in the first half for a second bookable offence and had no complaints when he finally received his marching orders with 20 minutes remaining. (7/10)
Substitutes
James McArthur: Replaced the injured Mutch in the first half and put in a good display in midfield, bringing energy and determination to the visitors. (6/10)
Shola Ameobi: Was originally meant to replace Murray, but the red card occurred before any change could be made. Eventually came on for Zaha with the match already won for his side. (6/10)
Joe Ledley: Came on in Bolasie's place with less than 10 minutes remaining as Palace held off the late fightback. (6/10)
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