Sam Allardyce briefly escapes Crystal Palace’s relegation dogfight with a night at book launch… and a meal at Nando’s

SAM ALLARDYCE booked a night away from the pressures of Crystal Palace’s relegation plight -by eating alone at Nando’s.

The Eagles boss was also pictured with celebrities TV presenter Lizzie Cundy and legendary ex-jockey Willie Carson for DJ and businessman Tony Prince’s book launch at the Hard Rock Cafe in Mayfair, London.

Allardyce showed a grinning mentality despite Palace‘s 4-0 home humiliation against bottom side Sunderland as he looked totally at ease mingling and chatting.

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The ex-Sunderland, Newcastle and West Ham chief, who lasted just one game as England manager, also showed he is not afraid to show his face in public places – by dining at popular chicken eatery Nando’s.

This time, though, his serious face suggested he was finding the task of choosing his dish as hard as selecting his next Palace line-up.

Allardyce joined the Eagles on December 23 on a two-and-a-half-year contract, a day after Alan Pardew’s sacking.

But if anything their freefall has sped up.

Allardyce‘s only Premier League win with Palace was 2-0 at Bournemouth on January 31.

But they followed that up with a Selhurst Park surrender against the Black Cats on Saturday .

The Eagles now sit two points and two places below safety ahead of this Saturday’s trip to mid-table Stoke.