Mamadou Sakho’s outstanding defensive contribution was central to Crystal Palace’s escape from relegation last season. Six months on, Roy Hodgson will hope a rare goal from the centre-back can help kick-start another successful survival bid.

The France international poked the ball home after a goalmouth scramble in added time to complete his side’s recovery after they had recovered from falling behind to Xherdan Shaqiri’s outstanding 53rd minute opening goal. Ruben Loftus-Cheek equalised within three minutes before Sakho’s first goal since completing a £26 million move from Liverpool ensured Palace experienced victory for only the second time in the Premier League this season.

Palace remain at the foot of the table but Hodgson, the manager, can be satisfied his side are showing more resilience and, after claiming eight points in six games following a dismal start when they failed to register a single point or goal in the first seven games, are moving in the right direction.



Xherdan Shaqiri put the visitors ahead in the second half (Getty)

For Stoke manager Mark Hughes, there was only frustration at his side's inability to claim at least a point and this result will nothing to ease the pressure on the Welshman.

Hodgson had reacted to his side’s 2-2 draw with Everton last time out by dropping keeper Julian Speroni and centre-back Scott Dann after they had combined to gift Everton a second equaliser that ultimately cost Palace two vital points.

The pair were joined on the bench by Christian Benteke who was once again denied a place in the starting line-up despite returning to full fitness after a seven-week lay-off with a knee injury. Hodgson had spoken positively of the contribution of Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha during Benteke’s absence and the two wingers were once again charged with leading the home side’s attack as Palace attempted to maintain their improved scoring record at Slehusrt Park that had brought two goals in each of their previous three home games.



Darren Fletcher is tackled by James Tomkins (Getty)

Hughes kept faith with the starting eleven that had secured a 2-2 draw at Brighton last Monday. With his side having won at Watford in the previous away outing, the Stoke manager had described his side as being “in good shape” ahead of this game, despite coming into the game just three points clear of the relegation zone.

The manager also believed the anxiety currently around Selhurst Park could play into his sides. Unfortunately for Hughes, his players appeared incapable of taking advantage with Shaquiri in particular guilty of failing to make more of two good openings that should have brought the opening goal. The Swiss fired wide after making space for himself on the edge of the home area and then should have done much better when sent clear by Darren Fletcher’s excellent through ball instead of allowing Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey and left-back Jeff Schlupp to combine to clear the danger.

Palace found openings hard to come by although Loftus-Cheek directed a first time shot straight at Erik Pieters after being set up by Zaha’s low cross and Stoke keeper Lee Grant did well to smother James McArthur’s close range effort.



James McArthur and Mame Biram Diouf tussle for possession (Getty)

Hodgson’s side appeared imbalanced, lacking a focal point to their attack when Zaha drifted wide to deliver the game’s most telling crosses while Loftus-Cheek was unable to find a telling final ball when he found himself with time and space on the flanks. A change was clearly needed and it came at half-time when Hodgson introduced Benteke for McArthur, releasing Townsend in particular to concentrate on providing Palace with more width.

That may have been the change required to freshen up the Eagles’ attacking play, but it was a combination of the home side’s poor defending and Shaqiri’s inspiration that led to the deadlock being broken in the 53rd minute after Zaha had lost possession just inside the Stoke half.

The ball broke free for Shaqiri who embarked on a weaving run, drifting in from the right and past four Palace defenders, none of whom were able to get close to the Stoke midfielder, before drilling a low shot, left-footed, across Hennessey and inside the keeper’s left hand post. It was an outstanding finish, but Hodgson was entitled to wonder why the Swiss international had been allowed to advance so far.



Loftus-Cheek levelled before Sakho's late show (Getty)

Palace’s response, though, was far more impressive. Just two minutes later Benteke demonstrated the value of a dominant presence up front when he headed Joel Ward’s cross back into the path of Townsend who delivered a low cross that was allowed to pass through the Stoke defence before being met by Loftus-Cheek’s first time shot at the far post.

A stalemate seemed certain before a late flurry from Palace led to Yohan Cabaye striking the post before the ball rebounded out to Sakho, who finished from close range.

Crystal Palace (4-4-2): Hennessey 7; Ward 6, Tomkins 6, Sakho 9, Schlupp 6; Loftus-Cheek 6, Cabaye 7, Milivojevic 6, McArthur 5 (Benteke 46,6); Townsend 8, Zaha 7

Subs: Speroni, Va Aanholt, Dann, Fosu-Mensah, Sako, Puncheon.

Stoke City (3-4-3): Grant 7; Zouma 7, Shawcross 7, Wimmer 6; Diouf 6 (Jese 73,6), Fletcher 7, Allen 7, Pieters 6; Shaqiri 8, Choupu-Moting 6, Sobhi 5 (Crouch 67,6) .

Subs: Haugaard, Jese, Afellay, Martins Indi, Edwards.