Crystal Palace 2-0 Burnley: Wilfried Zaha stars as Eagles earn first home win

Burnley manager Sean Dyche says his team have lost their "eye of the tiger" following their defeat by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Clarets, without a win in seven matches, did not deserve to take anything from the game and have dropped to 19th in the Premier League after Southampton drew 2-2 with Manchester United in Saturday's 17:30 GMT kick-off.

Palace's first home victory of the season saw them end a run of eight league games without a win and move up three places to 14th.

"The best side won, simple as that," Dyche told BBC Sport. "We are in the position where the eye of the tiger has gone. Last season everyone was on it.

"To get the eye of the tiger back, a boxer has to get back in the gym. We've got to get back on the training ground and work hard.

"It's frustrating, they have given so much to the cause but then fear comes in, it's a tough thing. It plays tricks with you, and players get stretched as individuals."

The Eagles took the lead early on when James McArthur's low cross eluded everyone to drift in at the back post, before Andros Townsend added a second with a superb left-footed drive 12 minutes from time.

It could have been worse for Burnley, who had Joe Hart to thank for a number of fine saves, while Palace missed several good chances prior to Townsend's stunner.

• Relive how Palace beat Burnley

• Reaction to Saturday's Premier League games

Impressive Eagles claim deserved victory

Prior to Saturday's result, the Selhurst Park season-ticket holders had not witnessed a home win since the final game of 2017-18 - but it was worth the wait.

Given the way Palace started the game, it was difficult to believe they had only claimed two points at home prior to this match.

Roy Hodgson's side dominated from the first whistle, with Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend doing the bulk of the damage.

They deservedly - and perhaps fortunately - took the lead on 16 minutes thanks to McArthur's intended cross from the left, but they could have gone ahead earlier.

Cheikhou Kouyate was inches away from tapping in a Zaha cross on four minutes, and Hart had to be at his best shortly after when he tipped Max Meyer's curling effort round a post.

The Eagles missed a spate of chances in the second period - with Meyer, Luka Milivojevic, Zaha, Townsend and Patrick van Aanholt all guilty parties.

It felt like they could pay for their poor finishing, but Townsend's goal-of-the-month contender made the result safe late on.

"I don't think we are as bad as our position would suggest, and I think our performance today showed that," Hodgson told BBC Sport.

"It was a game we needed to win, but though we haven't played that badly, we have not taken the points."

Zaha shines brightest for Palace

Following his return from injury at Old Trafford last Saturday, Zaha was back to his brilliant best against the Clarets.

Palace peppered Joe Hart's goal throughout

The Ivorian forward was a constant menace, using his pace and trickery to put Burnley's defenders on the back foot throughout.

He was also able to bring his team-mates into the game, too, linking up particularly well with Meyer and Van Aanholt, who charged forward from left-back at every opportunity.

The only thing missing from his performance was a goal.

That's not to say he didn't have chances. On multiple occasions he was able to weave his way into the Clarets' box, only to find Hart or a despairing block in his way.

Although his lack of end product may be a slight concern for Hodgson, it must not take away from a masterful overall performance.

Burnley's awful form continues

Burnley failed to register a victory in either October or November and that dismal form continued into December.

Their winless run does include defeats by Chelsea and Manchester City, but nonetheless it illustrates the rut Dyche's side find themselves in.

The Clarets offered little. Their first shot did not come until the 65th minute, and even then Johann Berg Gudmundsson's effort was easily blocked.

They finished with four shots - none of which were on target - and Palace had 29.

Jack Cork and Steven Defour were helpless to stop Meyer's runs from deep, while Eagles skipper Milivojevic was able to dictate play with ease.

At times, it looked like centre-back Kevin Long, who made six tackles and seven clearances, was the only man standing in the way of a marauding Palace front line.

England centre-back James Tarkowski has recovered from a hernia operation and was named in the matchday squad for the first time since 3 November.

But it seems Burnley need more than a fit-again Tarkowski to fix a back line which has conceded 29 goals in 14 league games.

Man of the match - Wilfried Zaha

Zaha had six shots on goal during his side’s victory – more than Burnley managed overall

'Questions do get asked' - what they said

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson, speaking to Match of the Day: "I'm delighted because we played very well, we have had teams on the rack at home and not got the win we needed, so it was good to get a win after a good performance.

"It's good to see the team playing well, and I didn't think we were going to relinquish our grip and let them back in. We did what we needed to do and I am delighted we won it with such a good goal."

Burnley boss Sean Dyche told BBC Sport: "We have to be a team, and we are a bit stretched at the moment. The effort's good, but it's a bit misguided at the moment, we have to remind them how they can play.

"Questions do get asked, they are bound to - we are in a results business. There's work to be done, the players are involved in that work and they wish to be. But I have not forgotten how we got here and how we built it. I'm pretty level about that, but I know there is more needs to be done."

Shot-happy Palace - the stats

• Crystal Palace's 29 shots was the most they have had in any Premier League game since 2003-04.

• Burnley have claimed just two wins in their past 19 Premier League games (D5 L12), after winning five in a row before that run.

• Palace registered their first victory in their past nine Premier League games (D3 L5).

• Burnley haven't won any of their past 22 away top-flight matches in December (D7 L15) since a 1-0 win in December 1969 against West Bromwich Albion.

• In league competition, Burnley have won just one of their past 13 away matches against Crystal Palace (D6 L6).

• Crystal Palace's Andros Townsend has scored and assisted in the same Premier League game for only the fourth time and the first since December 2017 (for Palace against Arsenal).

What's next?

Crystal Palace travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton on Tuesday, 4 December (19:45 GMT).

Burnley host Liverpool on Wednesday, 5 December (19:45).