Sunday 5 March 2017 13:58, UK
Sam Allardyce believes the pressure is beginning to lift from his Crystal Palace players following their 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend netted in the second half at The Hawthorns to secure a vital three points that lifted Palace out of the relegation zone.
It was Palace's second successive win - the first time they have won two in a row since Allardyce took charge in December - and it ensured they opened up a three-point gap between themselves and Middlesbrough in 18th.
Allardyce, who has managed five other clubs in the Premier League and never been relegated from the top flight, said: "All the players are working hard, and they were working hard without really knowing it because the pressure is coming off them.
"They are relieving themselves of all that pressure they have been putting themselves under for most of this season.
"When you get results that pressure lifts and you are running around with more freedom. You're not realising how much running you're doing because you're enjoying it that little bit more.
"And the lads deserve to enjoy what they have done here."
West Brom boss Tony Pulis admitted his side had produced a "tepid" performance and also stressed the importance of his players not allowing the season to drift away having already reached the all-important 40 point mark.
Pulis said: "We weren't what we have been and played very slowly when we had the ball.
"We don't want the season to drift away. They have done fantastic to get to 40 points and it is important we try to get as many points as we possibly can.
"We have spoken about what we want to do, how we want to do it and what players we need to improve the group and we are working behind the scenes to get that done. It is small steps here and we move forward."
