Crystal Palace 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

Wilfried ZahaImage source, PA
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The impressive Wilfried Zaha scored the opener to take his goal tally for the season to nine

Crystal Palace's final-day victory over West Brom was "tinged with sadness" for Eagles boss Roy Hodgson as his former side finished bottom of the Premier League.

The game was dominated by the hosts, who ensured safety with victory over Stoke last week, but they were frustrated for long spells before Wilfried Zaha opened the scoring on 70 minutes, clipping in from Patrick van Aanholt's cross.

Van Aanholt added a second soon after, rounding goalkeeper Ben Foster after a deft passing move on the edge of the West Brom area.

Palace lost their opening seven games this season without scoring but finish 11th after an impressive revival under Hodgson, who led the Baggies from February 2011 to May 2012.

"It's a day that is tinged with sadness because I'm really sad to see West Brom go down," he told BBC Sport.

"They are a very good club with fantastic fans - at the start of the season I couldn't dream that West Brom would be one of the teams to go down.

"Our success is to their detriment to some extent. I spare a thought for them and their players, especially the ones I worked with."

West Brom were relegated on Tuesday after Southampton beat Swansea but have been resurgent under caretaker boss Darren Moore, with this their only defeat in his six matches in charge.

"It's been an end of the season where pride has been restored when it could've been terrible," said Moore, who replaced the sacked Alan Pardew last month.

"We achieved some great results and pulled back a points deficit to give us a glimmer of hope, but when it was confirmed, all that was hard to take - there was definitely a hangover from that. We just ran out of steam."

Palace cap stunning turnaround

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Palace boss Hodgson 'delighted to finish on high'

After seven games of the season, Palace were not just bottom of the table but pointless, goalless and had already sacked Frank de Boer.

Hodgson has overseen a stirring turnaround, with the ex-England manager the subject of warm applause and chants from both the home crowd and supporters of former side West Brom.

This victory underlined the nature of that reversal - Palace were organised in defence, comfortable keeping hold of the ball and moving it quickly, all while exploiting the pace and skill of Zaha in attack.

The Ivory Coast forward formed a dangerous combination with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Van Aanholt down the left to finally break down the Baggies, the former sliding in the left-back to cut the ball back across for Zaha to guide home.

Yohan Cabaye then sparked a sequence of first-time passes on the edge of the area to play in Van Aanholt, whose strike was confirmed by goalline technology when it was cleared after crossing the line. Two excellent goals and the end-of-season celebrations could start at Selhurst Park.

Those celebrations extended to Palace defender Pape Souare, who came on as a substitute to make his first appearance since a horrific car crash in September 2016 that threatened to end his career.

Instead of relegation, Palace are now disappointed to miss out on a top-10 finish after Newcastle's 3-0 victory over Chelsea, a mark of how far they have come under Hodgson, who has enjoyed redemption after England's chastening Euro 2016 exit.

The challenge will be how Hodgson takes this club forward, and whether they can hang on to Zaha.

Do West Brom want Moore?

The Baggies were 10th after seven games but end their eight-year stay in the top flight by finishing bottom following this result and Stoke's victory over fellow relegated side Swansea.

Unlike Palace, their managerial changes did not work out. Tony Pulis was sacked in November, followed by Pardew's ill-fated spell that ended last month and may be most memorable for the taxi incident during a training camp in Barcelona in February.

But then Moore took over and raised hope of an escape that would have been as dramatic as the Baggies' brilliant achievement in 2004-05, only for relegation to be confirmed on Tuesday.

Once again, West Brom were stubborn and well organised but struggled to create, with Grzegorz Krychowiak going closest when he dragged a volley just wide.

But will the Baggies make Moore's role permanent or opt for a more experienced manager in the Championship?

Moore himself would not be drawn, telling BBC Sport: "It would be unfair to speak about my future now but I will be part of any process going forward."

Motty's farewell

Image source, Getty Images
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Roy Hodgson presented John Motson with gifts to mark the legendary commentator's final Match of the Day game

This game was the final Match of the Day commentary by the legendary John Motson, who is retiring after 50 years with the BBC.

'Motty' was invited onto the pitch after full-time and applauded by the fans before Hodgson presented him with a framed copy of the programme from his first and last matches at Selhurst Park and a crystal microphone.

"It's been a fantastic day - I've always had a nice reception at Selhurst Park but this has been terrific," said Motson.

"I've had people running up to me for autographs, I really didn't expect it. I've had a great reception everywhere this season but I've not been received with quite the enthusiasm I've had here at Selhurst Park."

BBC Two will dedicate an evening of shows to the 72-year-old next Saturday - FA Cup final day.

Man of the match - Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

Image source, Reuters
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Palace's player of the season and a massive part of their revival, Wilfried Zaha put in another fine display against West Brom, scoring the opening goal

'A hurdle too far' - match reaction

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson: "We've really been safe for a couple of weeks now and were playing an already relegated side so this could've degenerated to a keep-ball session but you couldn't accuse us of that.

"We've worked hard to get this team playing this way so it would be a shame to see that go out of the window. I'm hoping we get reinforcements as it will be exciting to keep the bulk of this team together and add to it.

"I understand people coveting our players like Wilfried Zaha but he loves playing for the club, he's a Croydon boy and I don't think he's going to jump at the first opportunity."

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Baggies 'ran out of steam' after being relegated - Moore

West Brom caretaker boss Darren Moore: "It was disappointing. Mentally, this was a hurdle too far. Everyone has done really well over the last five weeks but this was a tough ask against a quality team.

"We lick our wounds, get to the summer and start the rebuilding process."

West Brom hit bottom for 10th time - stats

  • West Brom have finished bottom of the top flight for a record 10th season and the second time in the Premier League era (also 2008-09).

  • Palace won three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since April 2017.

  • Zaha has been involved in six goals in his past six Premier League games (5 goals, 1 assist).

  • Van Aanholt has scored five goals in his past 10 Premier League games, and scored and assisted in the same Premier League game for the first time.

  • The Baggies won none of their 17 Premier League games when they conceded first this season (D2 L15).

  • Moore suffered defeat as West Brom manager for the first time in his sixth match (W3 D2 L1).

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