Crystal Palace 0 West Ham 1: Manuel Lanzini strike enough for Hammers to secure all three points as Aaron Cresswell sees red on his return

MANUEL LANZINI'S first half strike was enough for the Hammers to pick up just their second win of the season before Christian Benteke missed a first half penalty.

Aaron Cresswell, who returned to the squad for the first time this season and later saw red, produced a wonderful delivery and the Argentine side footed it home to cap off a slick move.

On the stroke of half time Angelo Ogbonna bundled down Benteke and the referee showed no hesitation pointing to the spot.

But the Belgian's spot kick was put hopelessly wide before the striker hit the post just minutes later as Alan Pardew's side cursed their luck.

With 15 mintues left to play Cresswell blocked off Wilfried Zaha on the flank and was shown a second yellow card as the home side piled on the pressure but to no avail.

FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS

• Kayla the eagle made her first appearance of the season, swooping across Selhurst Park before kick-off.
• Palace boss Alan Pardew had a fast car on hand – taking him to Selhurst Park after he went on a scouting mission to the lunchtime kick-off at Stamford Bridge.
• Goals may have been in short supply but in the press box were Mark Bright and Clive Allen – who scored more than 400 goals between them.
• Christian Benteke might have had a couple of sleepless nights this week. Not in apprehension of facing the Hammers, but because he became a father for the second time in midweek.
• Whoever typed up the team sheets might need a visit to the optician. Aaron Cresswell was given number 5 instead of three, and it was Andros Townend rather than Townsend.

• A contrast of protective tactics in the technical area in the driving rain. Alan Pardew pulled up the hood on his coat while Slaven Bilic went for a Hammers bobble hat.
• The weather was so bad that Palace we're unable to do their usual half time challenge – but they promised all the entrants would receive a prize.
• Don’t be surprised to see Christian Benteke’s embarrassing penalty miss end up on “You’ve Been Framed” – it was that bad.
• Aaron Cresswell’s accomplished display on his return from injury will surely lead to calls for Gareth Southgate to include him in his next England squad.
• Palace's England winger Andros Townsend will be black and blue as the visitors targeted him as the dangerman and hammered him at every opportunity.

THE BIG PICTURE

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

Crystal Palace: Mandanda 6, Ward 6, Tomkins 6, Delaney 5,  Kelly 5 (Fryers 46, 6) McArthur 6 (Wickham 70, 6), Ledley 6 (Cabaye 46, 7); Townsend 6, Puncheon 6, Zaha 5, Benteke 6.

Subs not used: Hennessey, Campbell, Sako, Lee Chung-Yong

West Ham: Adrian 7, Reid 8, Kouyate 7, Ogbonna 6, Cresswell 5, Antonio 7, Obiang 7, Noble 7, Lanzini 8 (Nordtveit 88, 6),  Payet 6 (Fernandes, 78, 6); Zaza 7 (Calleri 86, 6).

Subs not used:  Spiegel, Collins, Feghouli, Fletcher

STAR MAN: Manuel Lanzini 8

WHAT THEY SAID

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew: "I was disappointed with a lot of aspects of the game. We didn’t start well and they got a deserved lead. We were better in the second half.

"We should have at least got a draw. With the penalty I was thinking with the week Benteke has had it'll go in. The Hammers for their faults... you couldn't fault them today defensively."

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "First I would like to praise the team. We showed everything, character, spirit, we deserved to win. The goal we scored was an amazing move from many players.

"For me it was a penalty on Cresswell and then the second yellow card is very harsh – never a second yellow card, never.

“We showed how good a team we are and how good a unit we are.”