No end yet to Allardyce’s Palace woes

Sam Allardyce is still waiting for his first win as Crystal Palace manager – and the Eagles are now in the Premier League’s relegation zone.

Seamus Coleman hit a late winner for Everton at Selhurst Park on Saturday, with Allardyce claiming offside in vain.

Allardyce’s influence is beginning to be felt, with Palace looking more solid, and keeper Wayne Hennessey admitted that the Palace squad were left “devastated” as they slipped to 18th place, two points adrift of safety.

The Welsh international made a string of fine saves, and he said: “Their goalkeeper’s made a good save really need the end. If that goes in then it’s a completely different game. We’ve definitely lost a point there.

“It’s not like we’re playing and not creating chances or anything like that, we’re actually doing really well – it’s just not running for us at the moment [in the final third]. Hopefully that can change.”

Hennessey confessed: “I need to start keeping more clean sheets.”

Debutant Jeffrey Schlupp added: “There are plenty of positives to take – we created a lot and looked dangerous going forward. We need to take that into the next game and start picking up some points.”

Palace host Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday before two crucial league games, away to Bournemouth (January 31) and at home to Sunderland (February 4).