Saturday 21 March 2015 22:26, UK
Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann has singled out striker Glenn Murray for giving them the kind of options up front which led them to their 2-1 comeback win at Stoke.
Palace had fallen behind after quarter of an hour on Saturday at the Britannia Stadium to a Mame Biram Diouf goal.
But four minutes before half-time, Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic collided in the box with Yannick Bolassie, the penalty was awarded and Murray stepped up to hit the spot kick high into the net.
Four minutes later, Murray headed on a long punt from keeper Julian Speroni and Wilfried Zaha collected to score the winner for Palace.
It was just the sort of performance from Murray which has been a key in Palace's revival under Alan Pardew. The striker's strong form follows a loan spell at Reading as he recovered from an injury which had kept him out for part of last season.
He gives us that point of reference up front that people can gamble off.
Dann told Sky Sports: "When I first came to the club he was obviously on the back of a really bad injury and I think it done him a world of good going out and playing some games at Reading.
"He’s come back hungrier, a lot fitter and since he’s come back, he’s been great for us. He gives us that point of reference up front that people can gamble off and we’ve got two wide men with pace and power.
"If he’s flicking stuff on, in behind, we’re going to get in and we’re going to score goals."
Dann is also adamant a top half finish is still possible for Palace, who moved up to 11th after Saturday's results.
"If we keep getting wins like that then there is no reason why not," he insisted.
"Stoke are still a fair way off us. It’s five or six points. We’ve just gone above Newcastle into 11th and we’ve still got West Ham above us.
"There is no reason why not but we need to keep putting on battling performances like that; add a little bit of quality to it but I don’t see any reason why not."
