West Ham United picked up a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace to earn just a second victory of the season and end their opponent's unbeaten run in the process.
The Hammers had Manuel Lanzini to thank for the three points, as his strike 19 minutes in proved to be the difference in a lively encounter at Selhurst Park.
Aaron Cresswell set that goal up but was later dismissed, with the visitors doing enough to see things through after being let off by a Christian Benteke penalty miss earlier in the game.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded in South London with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Crystal Palace and West Ham United at Selhurst Park. It has been a dismal start to the season for the Hammers, who make the short journey to South London looking to pick up just a second win of the campaign, while opponents Palace have European football in their sights at this early stage.
Palace started the afternoon in eighth place but can climb above Manchester United into seventh as things start, but supporters will know full well what can happen when you take your eye off the ball and start focusing on a potential place in Europe. West Ham will just want to get themselves out of the bottom three, meanwhile, having made their wort start to a top-flight campaign since 1988-89 when they, inevitably, faced the drop.
TEAM NEWS!
CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Mandanda; Ward, Tomkins, Delaney, Kelly; Ledley, McArthur; Zaha, Puncheon, Townsend; Benteke
WEST HAM UNITED XI: Adrian; Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Noble, Obiang, Kouyate; Lanzini, Zaza, Payet
Let us start by checking out the visiting side, which was always going to show changes from last time out. Slaven Bilic has been hampered by further injury problems over the past fortnight, including the loss of Gokhan Tore, but the good news is that Aaron Cresswell is back fit and available for action. The full-back comes in as one of three changes today, taking the place of Alvaro Arebeloa.
Tore's injury opens the door for Simone Zaza to come in, while Manuel Lanzini is also called upon in the absence of James Collins at the back. Arguably the division's most versatile player, Michail Antonio, is fielded in his weakest position of full-back, with the returning Cresswell - so important to the Hammers - on the opposite side. Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna pair up in the heart of defence, meanwhile, in what appears to be a 4-3-3 formation.
Dimitri Payet remains the star of this West Ham side, as emphasised with his fine solo goal last time out against Middlesbrough, and he forms part of a forward trio alongside those two returning players in Lanzini and Zaza. Obiang, Cheikhou Kouyate and Mark Noble will operate in a deeper midfield zone, as the Hammers aim to pick up just a second win of the season in this London derby showdown under the Selhurst Park lights.
In terms of the hosts, they remain unchanged from last time out as Alan Pardew sticks with what has largely been a winning formula. Skipper Scott Dann is still absent due to a hamstring strain, meaning Damien Delaney and former Hammer James Tomkins pair up in the heart of defence. Joel Ward and Martin Kelly once again operate in the full-back positions, meanwhile, in what is a 4-5-1 formation for the Eagles.
Pape Souare and Loic Remy are the two other absentees due to long-standing problems, so Christian Benteke will lead the line on his own following his big-money arrival at the end of the transfer window, playing just off the inventive attacking trio of Andros Townsend, Wilfried Zaha and Jason Puncheon. Joe Ledley and James McArthur sit in a deeper midfield position, looking to form a link between defence and attack, but perhaps both feeling the effects of gruelling international schedules for Wales and Scotland respectively.
BENCH WATCH!
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Fryers, Cabaye, Sako, Lee, Campbell, Wickham
WEST HAM UNITED SUBS: Spiegel, Collins, Nordtveit, Feghouli, Fernandes, Fletcher, Calleri
Jonathan Calleri and Havard Nordtveit are back to fitness as far as the Hammers are concerned, with both players back among the subs this evening. Palace have a number of attacking options to call upon, meanwhile, including Fraizer Campbell, Bakary Sakho and Connor Wickham, while Yohan Cabaye is also a valuable commodity to call upon should reinforcements be required in the engine room as this game wares on.
Slaven Bilic has made three changes to his West Ham United side from the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough, including a first appearance of the season for Aaron Cresswell at the back. Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace side remains unchanged from their last outing, meanwhile - a 1-1 draw away at Everton to stretch their unbeaten run in the Premier League to a fifth game.
Palace with a chance to climb into seventh place with victory over their London rivals this evening, then, having recovered well from a shaky start to the campaign. A home defeat to West Bromwich Albion on the opening day, followed up by loss to Tottenham Hotspur up the road, left supporters wondering how long their bleak run of form would continue. Then came a fortunate draw with Bournemouth here, but that would prove to be the start of a strong run.
Pardew was starting to feel the heat a little, having won two and lost 14 in their opening 22 games of this calendar year, but there is now a far more positive outlook in this part of South London thanks to a run of 10 points from the last 12 on offer, and 11 from the last 14, which has lifted the Eagles into eighth place at the start of play today. The Palace boss talked of Europe at Christmas time last year, only to be dragged into a relegation battle of sorts, so he will be keeping his expectations in check this time around.
The arrival of Benteke from Liverpool really was a huge piece of business for the club and, despite what some said at the time, it was a risky move. The Belgian was hugely impressive at Aston Villa, of course, but he was barely given a look-in under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield and has needed to get used to playing regular football again - something he has more than done thanks to a positive start to life at his latest top-flight club.
Since the transfer window closed, Palace have yet to taste defeat and have managed to earn wins over Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Sunderland - the latter coming after finding themselves two goals down to once more show the character in the squad. The 1-1 draw at Goodison Park a fortnight ago was also a credible point to add to the tally, and there is a nice run of games to look forward to ahead of the next international break; Leicester City, Liverpool and Burnley all to play after the visit of West Ham.
Palace did exit the EFL Cup to Southampton when they were going through that tough early-season run, so all focus now is simply on the Premier League until the New Year when the FA Cup - a competition they reached the final of last term - resumes. A worry for Pardew has come at the back, where his side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 outings, though they are now registering up the other end of the field with 11 goals overall so far.
One man who has been quietly efficient for the Eagles in Jason Puncheon, stationed behind Christian Benteke once more today in a three-man attacking midfield. The former Southampton wideman has created 24 chances for his side so far this season - more than any other player in the division prior to this latest round of matches. Ahead of him, Benteke now has 19 goals with his head since making a move to the Premier League four years ago, which is bettered only by Arsenal's Olivier Giroud in that time.
DID YOU KNOW? Crystal Palace can equal their Premier League club-record run of six games unbeaten this evening should they avoid defeat to their rivals, something which they have achieved twice before - November-December 2015 and February-March 1993. This coming after a run of two wins and a whopping 14 defeats from their opening 22 games of 2016, remember, so that is quite some turnaround from the relegation form of past.
While Palace are stress-free at this moment in time, it is an entirely different story across London at West Ham. The Hammers are inside the relegation zone after this worst start to a season in a century, having taken just four points from the first 21 on offer this term. Throw into the mix an early exit from the Europa League, following defeat to Astra Giurgiu in the playoff round, and you can see just why supporters are so concerned.
That setback at the hands of Astra provided a sign of things to come at the London Stadium, where there has been nothing but problems in the first couple of months at their new home. The Hammers did score a late winner against Bournemouth in their opening league fixture there in August, which provided a rare high note for the season, but it has been nothing but glum since then following a tough run.
The biggest issue for the Hammers at this stage is the sheer number of goals they are shipping, with their backline being constantly drawn out of position and allowing opposition players in behind. This has been put down to a slightly different style of play adopted this season, as United see slightly more of the ball but struggle to do much with it as their dire points tally seven games in goes to show.
Slaven Bilic has his work cut out at the London Stadium this season, following on the back of such an impressive campaign in the Hammers' final year at Upton Park last time out. West Ham have struggled at the back and have also yet to truly get going in an attacking sense, taking four points from the first 21 on offer to find themselves kept off the bottom of the table by only Sunderland.
The good news for United is that they have a nice run of games ahead, which should - if all goes to plan - see them finally build some momentum and climb the table. That is the hope for Bilic, at least, as he prepares his side for games against Palace, Sunderland, Everton and Stoke - all winnable fixture should the Hammers show the form of last season. There is also the small matter of an EFL Cup tie with Chelsea in a little over a week's time, which is one that Bilic will surely not have to charge his players up for.
The whole situation at the London Stadium has been described as a "perfect storm", with player injuries cropping up, luck going against the Hammers at certain times - such as a late defeat to Chelsea on the opening day - and also the whole stadium move. Supporters are struggling to get to grips with life at a new home, and their anger may well turn to the players after certain members of the squad were spotted partying into the early hours recently.
United have conceded 17 goals already this season - more than any other side at the start of today's action - and have also failed to score a first-half goal of their own in six of their seven Premier League outings. It all points to form of a side that will likely be in a relegation battle come next April and May, and the stats indeed only go to emphasise that; nine of the 15 teams in the bottom three at this stage in the past five seasons going on to face the drop.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Palace have won just one of the last four top-flight encounters between these two teams. West Ham have won on their last two visits here, too, but have never actually won three in a row - read into that what you like. There has also been a sending off in the last three meetings; Cheikhou Kouyate, Dwight Gayle and Glenn Murray each being dismissed in what has proved to be a feisty fixture.
With kickoff at Selhurst Park now less than 10 minutes away, let us turn attention to some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Alan Pardew: "It is part of the managerial role we have that everything is centred on the results. Sometimes all the stuff that goes on around them makes it difficult to get those results. But [Slaven's] an experienced manager - an experienced international manager - and he'll know how to deal with it. Better than I will. I have no doubt he'll get it right sooner rather than later."
Slaven Bilic: "Crystal Palace didn't start well but the last four games they have got 10 points and they probably didn't want the break. We played really well there last year and won 3-1 and hopefully we can do the same on Saturday."
Bilic using his side's victory at this ground last season as inspiration to kick-start a new run of form, then, with the Hammers looking so bright this time last year but failing to push on this term. Pardew is full of praise for his under-fire opposite number, meanwhile, who he says has the experience - acquired over a coaching career at both club and international level - which should see him through.
Both sets of players are about to make their way to the tunnel area, with kickoff at Selhurst Park now around five minutes or so away. West Ham have a good record here in recent years, winning both of the most recent fixtures, and they are in desperate need to repeat that success here today. Victory for Palace today will see them move into seventh, while the Hammers will move out of the drop zone with three points of their own.
Alan Pardew was going through a tough spell of his own recently, which is now completely forgotten about following a five-game unbeaten run to lift Palace into the top half of the table. Palace are unchanged from their last match, a 1-1 draw with Everton, while West Ham - with just one win all term - bring in three new faces from the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough a fortnight ago.
KICKOFF! West Ham United appear to be lining up with a five-at-the-back system this evening, which Bilic will have drilled into his players over the two-week break. Crystal Palace just looking to set the tempo in the opening stages.
Cresswell looks to play in Zaza down the left, but Tomkins is across well to deny the Italy international. The Hammers the side just about on top in the opening throes of the contest, but they are merely probing and not asking any real questions.
Cresswell already the most lively player in the opening five minutes of his return to action. The full-back, or wing-back as it is today, is played into acres of space but can only send his bullet drive into the stand. Not a bad attempt this early in proceedings.
SAVE! A really bright start from the Hammers, who are constantly looking to get at their opponents. Zaza is picked out on the edge of the box, and he is able to work just a yard of space to test Mandanda down the middle with a tame attempt.
Payet turns on the style and the ball is so nearly worked to Zaza, but it just had too much on it and Mandanda was there to collect. A slow start for the hosts at Selhurst Park, who are looking to grow into things but are so far second best.
CLOSE! Well it may have been a slow start, but Palace have just created the game's best chance so far. Zaha was slotted in with plenty of room inside the box, yet he failed to hit the target and rather dragged his shot across the face of goal.
West Ham have adapted well to this five-at-the-back system so far, but the gaps at the back are already opening up when Cresswell gets high up the pitch. Zaha failed to capitalise a short while ago, though chances will certainly be there tonight for the Englishman.
CLOSE! The ball is spread out well to the right, where a dangerous cross is played into the Palace box. The hosts taking no risks as the ball is booted out of play for a corner, which Kouyate heads wide of goal with Antonio inches from helping the ball the right side of the upright.
Bilic will be delighted with how this match is panning out so far, as his side continue to take control of things. Antonio and Cresswell both right up the field, more advanced than Payet at times, but they have not found a route through yet.
GOAL! CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 WEST HAM UNITED (MANUEL LANZINI)
West Ham take what is a deserved lead in the match through Lanzini, who has now scored in all three games he has played against Palace. It was a well-worked goal, too, as Cresswell and Payet linked down the left for the former to swing in a cross, which Lanzini reacted quickest to as he opened up his body and placed the ball out of Mandanda's reach.
YELLOW CARD! Mark Noble becomes the first player to see yellow following a tackle on Townsend. That was Lanzini's eighth goal for the Hammers, incidentally, six of which have come away from home and three of them coming against today's opponents.
Palace have responded well to going back, with the Hammers living rather dangerously at the back. It is often one-against-one in the air when the ball is aimed towards Benteke, but the Belgian has failed to get his head to the ball so far.
Zaza lifts the ball into the danger zone, but it is well headed away. West Ham have failed to push on since going ahead and it is now Palace who are really bossing things as they search for a leveller in South London.
A superb deep ball into the box looked destined for the head of Benteke, only for Kouyate to get his leap spot on and instead get his head to the ball first. That experiment to move him into a defensive position is working well so far.
Crosses galore at the moment, with this latest delivery superbly headed behind by Noble before Zaza could direct it goalwards. The Hammers really holding on at the moment but, in fairness to them, Palace have yet to test Adrian so far.
Torrential rain at Selhurst Park now, with some of the rain beginning to settle on the field. No risk of the game being called off but it could have a say on the contest, as the ball is likely to start sticking when it is punted forward.
Ogbonna surges up the pitch and lays the ball off nicely to Cresswell, who sends a dangerous cross into the box. Only one player in a white shirt around, but Ledley did not get the call and he blasts it behind for a corner under little pressure.
A cross into the box is flicked on by Zaza; the ball ending a yard or so wide of the post in the end. The Italian is desperate for a goal and has looked lively this evening, but Lanzini's goal is the difference so far.
A nice cross from Kelly is almost met by McCarthur, but he just halted his run a little and was unable to get to the ball. The game has settled over the past five or 10 minutes which is suiting West Ham more as they are the side who lead.
Half a chance for Zaza, who gets his head to Payet's corner but can only head into the ground. The ball takes a deflection and ends over the bar, with the second Payet delivery this time being cleared with a little more ease.
We are now into the final five minutes of the half and Palace have still yet to have a single attempt on target; this despite being the form team, remember! Adrian plucks the ball out of the air and takes further pressure off his side.
Payet's deliveries have asked some serious questions of the Palace defence in this first half, but this latest free kick - from a very deep position - is straight into the welcoming arms of Mandanda. Ward gets up the field and earns his side a corner.
SAVE! Well after a really bright opening quarter to this game, we have not seen any real action in front of goal. That changed just seconds ago, however, as Lanzini let leash from range with a shot that Mandanda did well to get behind in these wet conditions.
PENALTY TO CRYSTAL PALACE! West Ham, on top for large parts of the half, concede a needless penalty with just seconds until the interval. Ogbonna brought down Benteke and now the Belgian has a chance to convert from the spot.
PENALTY MISSED! Incredible! Benteke opens up his body in an over-elaborate manner, and in the end he simply got under the ball and sent it wide of the target. Palace still yet to hit the target!
OFF THE POST! What an end to this first half at Selhurst Park! Benteke, desperate to make amends, leapt highest but saw his header hit the outside of the post on its way through. That is the final act of the half.
HALF TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 WEST HAM UNITED
Referee Martin Atkinson brings the first half to a close - and what a half of football it was! Well, the opening quarter and the final five minutes or so, anyway, which has provided us with plenty of talking points at this midway stage. As things stand, Manuel Lanzini's strike is the difference between the sides.
The visitors experimented with a different five-at-the-back system in an attempt to wake up from their slump, and it appeared to work early on as they bossed possession and picked up the ball in some dangerous positions. The first chance fell to Simone Zaza five minutes in, with the Italian seeing his shot kept out by Steve Mandanda as his wait for a first Hammers goal went on.
Despite their slow start to the game, Palace were still finding gaps at the back as a result of the returning Aaron Cresswell and makeshift wing-back Michail Antonio springing up the field, but Wilfried Zaha dragged his shot wide when picked out in acres of space. United made the breakthrough with a little under a quarter of the match played after some patient build-up play, which culminated in Cresswell sending in a cross for Manuel Lanzini to delicately place past Mandanda.
That was the Argentinian ace's third goal in the same number of games against the Eagles, and a goal that West Ham deserved on the basis of their play up until that stage in the game, but they struggled to truly push on for the remainder of the half. A Lanzini shot aside, which Mandanda did well to get behind in the west conditions, the following 20 minutes proved to be bland with neither side able to truly muster any openings.
The match finally burst back into life shortly before the interval, though, as Angelo Ogbonna tripped up Christian Benteke inside the box, seconds after Antonio had done likewise on Zaza, to give the Belgian a chance to level up from the spot. A terrible penalty followed; Benteke sending his attempt wide of the target, before skimming the post with a headed attempt moments later, to ensure that his side went into the break without testing Adrian on a single occasion.
West Ham United lead by a single goal at the break, then, but it could have been so different had Crystal Palace converted from the spot on the brink of half time. Will either manager make a change at the break? Let us remind ourselves of the options available to both.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Fryers, Cabaye, Sako, Lee, Campbell, Wickham
WEST HAM UNITED SUBS: Spiegel, Collins, Nordtveit, Feghouli, Fernandes, Fletcher, Calleri
RESTART! We are back up and running at Selhurst Park, and home manager Alan Pardew has indeed decided to change things around at the break. Yohan Cabaye and Zeki Fryers are on, with Joe Ledley and Martin Kelly the men to make way.
YELLOW CARD! Benteke is cautioned for a foul on Reid, levelling things up in that regard. Palace looking to inject some pace and power to their attacks, though they have so far been unable to get in behind.
Benteke is still too isolated up top, but McCarthur is starting to bridge that divide thanks to the introduction of Cabaye who is happy to sit deep. Mandanda had to read the danger well up the other end to prevent Payet a clean shot on goal.
Antonio works the ball to Zaza inside the box, with the Italian opening up a yard of space but failing to take on the shot. It was crying out to be hit, though he took too long and a better chance did not arise. The wait for a goal goes on.
A promising situation for the hosts as the ball is spread to Ward on the right, but his cross was rather poor. The ball fell to Cabaye in the next attacking move, only for his shot to be dragged a yard wide of the target.
CHANCE! A good chance for United to extend their lead, as Mandanda races out to prevent Lanzini taking on the shot. The Argentinian ace laid the ball off to Payet, but he in turn saw his shot well blocked by the Palace keeper.
SAVE! Palace starting to build up some momentum now. Townsend cuts inside and sends a shot down the middle which Adrian easily kept out - the hosts' first shot on target of the evening. Small steps, and all that!
Really open feel to the game now, with West Ham not quite content to simply sit back and soak up pressure. Lanzini is looking the visitors' biggest threat this evening - his goal aside he has looked to quickly get the ball forward at every opportunity.
YELLOW CARD! Angelo Ogbonna takes on for the team by halting Zaha's run on the edge of the box. The free kick is awful, though, as the ball is shifted to Ward who was not expecting it - the full-back simply blasting it high over the bar.
A real frantic pace to the game now, with Palace being given plenty of space to run into but still struggling to really get in behind. Zaha goes down in the box but referee Martin Atkinson waves away his appeal, which looked to be the right call.
Still no sign of a West Ham change, despite those legs tiring out on the field. Pardew has just one more alteration available after that double-change at the break, but his side still require some inspiration from somewhere.
A couple of classic 50-50 challenges over the past few minutes, but not even that has really sparked the home fans into life. Pardew about to make his third and final change - a final roll of the dice, with Wickham the man being readied to come on.
CRYSTAL PALACE SUB! James McArthur makes way for Wickham with 20 minutes to go in South London, meaning two target men for the hosts to now look for. There is real carnage inside the box but Reid simply chests the ball back to his keeper.
SHOT! A rare shot from the Eagles, with Puncheon's drive being stopped down low in a routine manner by Adrian. Bilic must surely be thinking of making a change around about now as the rain begins to stop at Selhurst Park.
OFF THE LINE! Obiang, who has had a real solid game, gets forward once again and sees his deflected shot trickle behind for a corner. The resulting set-piece delivery is met by Antonio, who sees the ball cleared off the line by Puncheon.
RED CARD! A potentially huge moment in this match, with just under a quarter of the contest left to play. Cresswell was booked for diving in the Palace box, which was slightly harsh as there did look to be slight contact, and then he picked up a second yellow 60 seconds later for halting Zaha's run.
A cross comes into the box, which Tomkins gets a touch on only for Adrian to read it well and collect the ball. That, incidentally, is the fourth dismissal in four outings between these two sides. Bilic is about to bring on some fresh legs.
CLOSE! A free header for Benteke right in the middle of the box, which he fails to make the most of. His attempt ends over the bar, with Adrian getting nowhere near his attempted punch. Palace throwing all they have at United now.
Townsend's pass is overhit and Untied can regroup once again. Fernandes was brought on for Payet a few moments ago, with Bilic reverting to a more defensive shape now after losing Cresswell to that red card.
Puncheon has Benteke and Wickham to aim for, but his cross is again overhit and rolls straight out of play. Just six minutes to go now - West Ham having to do plenty of defending but looking fairly comfortable.
Half a chance for Benteke who fails to adjust - it has just not been his day so far. Still four minutes, plus around the same amount of time to be added on, but West Ham are not looking all that troubled despite being a man light.
WEST HAM UNITED SUB! A third change of the evening for West Ham, as Nordtveit comes on for Lanzini to sit in front of the back four. Calleri, back to fitness after picking up an injury, came on for Zaza moments beforehand.
A fine cross from Cabaye, who has been lively since coming on, is just about dealt with by the visitors before Benteke can get a telling touch to the ball. The corner is met by Adrian, and we are now into added time in South London.
We are halfway through four minutes of added on time at Selhurst Park. There could still be one big chance in this match for the Eagles, but in truth they have not done near enough to trouble their opponents since that rather harsh Cresswell red.
SAVE! Great save by Adrian to somehow deny Wickham right at the death. Two corners follow, both of which are dealt with, and we are now just seconds away from full time at Selhurst Park.
FULL TIME: CRYSTAL PALACE 0-1 WEST HAM UNITED
The full-time whistle sounds at Selhurst Park, where West Ham United have held on to pick up just a second win of the season. What a huge victory it was, too, at the home of their London rivals and secured thanks to a well-taken Manuel Lanzini strike 19 minutes in. Crystal Palace just could not create enough openings, with their unbeaten run ending in a disappointing manner.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Selhurst Park, but be sure to hang around for reaction from this and all the day's other Premier League matches. If you are still hungry for more football then updates from the La Liga clash between Real Betis and Real Madrid can be found right here.
