Murray’s mint double leaves Big Sam fuming at Hammers

PERFECT 10: Rooney celebrates after taking his season’s goals tally

into double figures from the penalty spot WEST HAM boss Sam Allardyce admitted he was left stunned after Glenn Murray’s double set up Palace’s away- day win.

Murray ( above) struck twice for Alan Pardew’s side – either side of a headed effort from Scott Dann – before being sent off after collecting a second yellow card.

But the Hammers were unable to find a way back against 10 men, with Enner Valencia’s 75th- minute effort the home side’s only response.

That meant more misery for Allardyce and his players, who have now gone six games without a win. And the manager said: “I’m shocked. Our level of performance wasn’t where I expected it to be.

“It’s disappointing when we’ve built expectation levels so high at home.

“It’s about the basics, really. If we don’t play to our best, we’ll struggle.

“We warned the lads about the Palace set- plays because 50 per cent of their goals have come from set- plays – and we’ve conceded from two corners and a free- kick.”

Allardyce was convinced that Murray could have collected two yellows in the first half.

And Pardew said: “It was a mixed afternoon for Glenn. He could have had a hat- trick in the first half. He gets into the right positions.

“The sending- off was a little bit unlucky. He has to go for the ball and I don’t think he deserved that.

“I spoke to him at half- time. We all knew he was on a knife edge. But I’m absolutely delighted with him. It shouldn’t take away from a terrific performance. Up until the sending- off we were in total control, but we don’t make it easy for ourselves.”

Murray put Palace ahead four minutes before the break and Dann’s 51st-minute header turned up the heat on the Hammers.

Murray then put the vistors three goals clear from Jason Puncheon’s 63rd-minute free-kick before the clash with Winston Reid that led to his early exit.

Valencia kick- started a home fightback and Nene almost netted on his debut when he hit the post, but Palace held on.