By Harry Pratt

ROY HODGSON refused to accept Crystal Palace are safe, Ruben Selles refused to accept Southampton are down.

Now it takes a brave man to quibble with anything living legend Hodgson says just now – with his rejuvenated side having secured a hat-trick of wins since he returned.

But on this occasion it is hard not to accuse the exengland coach of being overcautious.

The Eagles are soaring upwards, on 36 points and nine clear of danger.

Hodgson, in his second spell at Palace, said: “Certainly we feel more comfortable and we’re inching towards a total we think will keep us up. But we’re not there yet.

“We were good in the second half today. Ebe Eze’s goals put us in a commanding position – and were a knife to our opponents’ throats.”

Selles’ optimistic statement about his basement boys actually has some credibility given they are only four points from safety despite this 20th defeat of the season.

The Spaniard said: “We will keep fighting. Absolutely. I know we can survive because I see it every day. And the gap isn’t that big. We are in touch.”

In the 13th minute Hodgson, at 75 the oldest managerial swinger in the Premier League, was punching the air in delight before an offside flag curtailed the euphoria of Michael Olise finding the net.

Selles, 37, is the youngest coach in the top flight and was a contrasting bundle of energy – arms waving and bellowing instructions frantically.

He came close to celebrating an opener three times before the break. Joe Aribo blazed two chances high and wide before Theo Walcott had him jumping about in disbelief.

Clean through, the former England winger should have known to shoot towards the far corner instead of slicing past the near post. Bad habits refuse to die.

As the game drifted at the end of the opening period, Selles’ antics became the real show.

Having been told to sit down by one irate fan, the St Mary’s manager – on a