Crystal Palace edged closer to safety on Wednesday night, securing a 0-0 draw against Roberto Martinez’s Everton side at Selhurst Park.
Ahead of the game, Alan Pardew said he wanted one more win from his side to absolutely guarantee their Premier League status ahead of next season, but the likelihood is that they will comfortably be safe after the goalless affair.
Palace were the better side against an Everton team who played almost the whole second half with 10 men following James McCarthy’s dismissal. Despite dominating proceedings and changing their entire front three during the second half, the hosts couldn’t force the opener.
A win against Norwich City at the weekend was important but remains the only time in the last 16 league matches that the Eagles have picked up all three points, a run which includes seven away games without a win.
Hopefully that will remain the case in north London on Sunday. Though Arsenal are all but out of the title race, points are still needed to confirm Champions League football. With six games remaining, both Manchester clubs and West Ham United are within just a few points of the Gunners, who can’t afford to stop now.
Palace, meanwhile, are now seven points clear of 17th placed Norwich City. Sunderland and Newcastle, in 18th and 19th, both have games in hand but are 11 and 13 points behind Alan Pardew’s men respectively. It looks like Palace are safe and they may just take their eyes off the ball this weekend.