Mane scores only goal after Speroni parry
Southampton now one point off top four
Second Saints win in six league matches
Palace had won four of last seven games
Pardew had won every away match as Eagles boss
Image source, Getty ImagesBrilliant from Filip Djuricic. Absolutely sublime. The Serb produces some lovely skill to beat Martin Kelly, races into Palace's half before setting Nathaniel Clyne free down the right. His low cross is cleared by Scott Dann with Graziano Pelle on his heels.
Image source, Andrew Matthews/PA WireCrystal Palace are far more of an attacking threat this half. Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha are combing well and the home fans might be starting to fear the worst - again.
Dusan Tadic's first contribution is to swing a dangerous corner in from the right but, with Graziano Pelle waiting to nod home, Palace clear. Signs of this coming to life at last.
Dusan Tadic replaces Eljero Elia for Southampton and will slot in just behind lone striker Graziano Pelle.
Hobbsie:, external Get Pelle off and get Long on; we need a goal !!
Image source, ReutersSo lucky for Southampton. Wilfried Zaha plays Yannick Bolasie through on goal and his smart strike is parried away by goalkeeper Fraser Forster. From the loose ball, Zaha himself advances on goal but strikes a low shot against the far post.
Palace looking the more likely to open the scoring now.
A sustained spell of pressure for Southampton as they force a second successive corner... The home fans do their best to lift their team with a chorus of "Come on you Saints" but the corner is easily cleared. Another anti-climax.
Image source, APAdam from Southampton: It's becoming painful watching saints try to thread a ball into the net . Shoot damn it !!!
Almost an opener from the visitors. Jason Puncheon receives the ball inside the area with his back to goal from Yannick Bolasie, he turns and hits a powerful strike that is blocked by goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Palace's first shot on target.
Alan Pardew has won all five away games he has been in charge of as Crystal Palace boss and he will fancy grabbing the three points again here. Palace start the half on the attack...
Southampton are in real danger of dropping down the Premier League table after a campaign that has surprised many.
With one just win in five league matches, they know the importance of getting things back on track and to do that they need to score. They won't care how.
Game on.
ayotunde sobogun:, external I guess Southampton now need some of the goals against Sunderland back.
Hard to believe this Southampton scored eight against Sunderland earlier in the season. They did though...
Mark: Woeful game at St Mary's.
The understatement of the evening right there.
A glance at the touch map of striker Dwight Gayle shows how little attacking Crystal Palace did in that half.
The Eagles had just one attempt at goal - and that was Wilfried Zaha's very weak header - compared to Southampton's nine. Having said that, the Saints only had one shot on target.
There will be few disappointed that that 45 minutes has come to an end. Crystal Palace's defence look solid, Southampton have played some neat football at times - but entertainment? There's been none. An awful half.
Plenty of possession for Southampton still but, as you can see from the graphic above, most of the play has been in the middle third. Both goalkeepers have had a very, very quiet half.
One minute of added on time.
Better from Southampton as Ryan Bertrand combines well with Eljero Elia and his cross is headed clear at the near post by Damien Delaney with Graziano Pelle waiting. Seconds later, Elia's fierce strike on the turn is palmed out by goalkeeper Julian Speroni and again Pelle is just beaten to the rebound.
Sadio Mane drives through Crystal Palace's midfield but his 25-yard shot is woeful. The ball flies yards wide of the goal.
Almost a disaster for Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Yannick Bolasie's ballooned cross looks easy for Forster but, under no pressure, he fumbles and just manages to grab the loose ball before Wilfied Zaha gets there.
Image source, AFPCrystal Palace fans launch into a rendition of "Champions League, you're having a laugh" towards Southampton. On this toothless showing, they have a point.