Crystal Palace 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

Yannick Bolasie's goal was his first in 46 home league games

Crystal Palace continued their excellent start to the season with a comfortable victory over West Brom.

Yannick Bolasie opened the scoring midway through the second half when he headed home Yohan Cabaye's inviting curling cross.

Cabaye added the second from the spot after Wilfried Zaha, a constant menace on the right wing for Alan Pardew's side, was tripped by Chris Brunt.

The defeat was West Brom's first away league loss of the season.

Palace, meanwhile, climb to third, a point behind leaders Manchester United.

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Baggies' miserly away run ended

West Brom came into the match as the only team in the Premier League yet to concede an away goal.

But when Zaha burst past left-back Brunt and fired just wide after seven minutes, it became clear Tony Pulis's side would have their work cut out to preserve that record.

Their task was made more difficult when centre-back Jonny Evans limped off midway through the first half, forcing West Brom into a defensive reorganisation for the second match running.

From that point onward, the visitors' primary ambition seemed to be to add to their tally of 14 clean sheets in 2015 - the best total in the league - but they were undone with just over 20 minutes to go.

Bolasie headed past Boaz Myhill from close range to register his first goal at Selhurst Park since New Year's Day 2013 - 46 home games ago.

Zaha zest gives Palace home comforts

While Palace winger Wilfried Zaha (left) had 10 touches in the opposition penalty area, West Brom's Saido Berahino, who also played in a wide role today, had none

Pardew publicly criticised Zaha last month and dropped him to the bench for last week's win over Watford, but that move paid dividends as a rejuvenated Zaha turned in an inspired performance.

The one-cap England international was the game's outstanding player with his direct running and it was fitting that he should create the second goal for the hosts.

He ran at Brunt once again and, having surged into the penalty box, knocked the ball ahead as the Northern Irishman lunged in.

It was the second penalty Zaha had won in as many matches, and when the reliable Cabaye stepped up, the result was the same as in the match against Watford.

Victory at home was a relief for the Eagles, who had lost six of their past eight league matches at Selhurst Park.

Man of the match - Wilfried Zaha

Wilfried Zaha gave Chris Brunt a torrid afternoon down West Brom's left-hand side and set up several chances

What they said

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew: "We were very, very good. It was a great performance. Wilfried Zaha can beat players and when you have players like that in your side it gives you great creativity.

"Wilf was on the end of some fantastic passing from Puncheon and Cabaye, which he exploited. I was really pleased to get that second goal, because it just gives you the rubber stamp on that performance.

"We've got ourselves in a great position and if the players come back fit and well from the international break there's no reason we can't keep putting in performances like that. I can compare this team to the team I had at Newcastle when we finished fifth."

West Brom manager Tony Pulis: "You can't believe it was the same team that played against Aston Villa, they played so well there and this performance was like chalk and cheese.

"They were much better than us. Saido was one of a number of players who didn't play near the level they are capable of."

The stats you need to know

• Palace had 13 shots in the first half, the most they have managed in the opening period of a Premier League game since being promoted in 2013

• Bolasie's goal was his first at Selhurst Park for 1,005 days

• Fifteen of the 18 goals (for and against) in Palace's Premier League games this season have come in the second half

• The last time Palace had this many points after eight games of a top-flight season was in 1990-91 (16), when they ended the campaign in third

What next?

After the international break, Palace host West Ham on Saturday, 17 October, while West Brom play Sunderland on the same day.