Sunday 19 April 2015 11:20, UK
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis was delighted with his side’s resilience as they secured a vital 2-0 win at Crystal Palace – their first away win for five months.
James Morrison’s early header and Craig Gardner’s long-range blast secured the victory in front of 2,600 ecstatic supporters, a result that lifts Albion up to 13th place – eight clear of the relegation zone.
Pulis savoured the win on his first return to south London since his sudden departure from Selhurst Park in August.
He said: "We worked on a couple of things in respect to what I thought Palace would do - we worked during the week on that.
"We scored from a corner that we have worked on, which was really pleasing. I thought we should have had a penalty in the first half and then Gardner's strike to make it 2-0 was crucial really in lots of respects.
"I thought we were resilient and defended well and in the end I thought we deserved the points."
The Palace supporters gave the 57-year-old, who won the manager of the year award last season for guiding them to 11th, a warm hand and it was something Pulis appreciated.
"Obviously it is lovely coming back to a former club," he said.
"It is funny coming here, we played Stoke here last year and I had a great reception from the Stoke fans and to come here and get that today from the Palace supporters was first class.
"You never know (what kind of reaction you will get) - the fans did well for me last year and I hope I repaid them a little bit in respect to what we did in the dressing room and on the pitch.
"It is a good club. It has got unbelievable potential and I mean that. The supporters are wonderful and they have a good manager. They can push on – if Alan is given the money and the opportunity to push this club forward this club could be a good, good club."
Despite the victory, Pulis still wants to collect at least another four points before the end of the season.
He said: "I have just spoken to them (the players), we lost to Leicester and QPR at home, and we needed a 90 minute performance and they were resolute and determined.
"Their concentration levels were good on the basis that we still need the points to stay in the league. I said to them afterwards, give me 40 points – I think it has been a good season for us that is what we should be aiming for."
