THE RESULTS

Crystal Palace Liverpool’s first chance of the afternoon after 11 minutes.

Coutinho’s corner was met by Joel Matip whose header bounced down and off the crossbar as West Ham somehow scrambled the ball clear.

Liverpool began to find some momentum and Sturridge freed Adam Lallana, who shot straight at Adrian.

The Hammers goalkeeper also had to be alert to keep out James Milner’s low drive before watching Coutinho’s long-range effort drift just over the top of his crossbar.

Milner dragged his shot wide when well placed but the breakthrough arrived via Sturridge in the 35th minute.

Coutinho split open the West Ham defence with a majestic long pass and Sturridge strode through, rounded Adrian and slotted home his first goal since January 2.

HULL RELEGATED Hull City crashed out of the EPL as Crystal Palace secured their own survival with a 4-0 thrashing of their relegation rivals at Selhurst Park.

Marco Silva’s side knew only a victory would give them a realistic chance of staying up, but goals from Wilfried Zaha, Christian Benteke, Luka Milivojevic and Patrick van Aanholt consigned them to the drop.

Third-bottom Hull, winners just once in their last six matches, return to the Championship just 12 months after their promotion via the play-offs. GIROUD BRACE KEEPS ARSENAL IN HUNT Olivier Giroud scored twice as Arsenal won 4-1 at Stoke City on Saturday to maintain manager Arsene Wenger’s hopes of a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. Arsenal endured an anxious spell in the second half after Stoke substitute Peter Crouch reduced the arrears to 2-1 with a goal scored using his arm that was allowed to stand.

But eventually Wenger’s side turned in a clinical display to move to within a point of Liverpool.

Giroud scored the opening goal on 42 minutes as Arsenal scythed their way through the Stoke defence impressively.

— AFP