Jason Puncheon does not score many goals but he has a knack of grabbing important ones on big occasions for Crystal Palace. And the midfielder hopes to continue that habit when Palace face Hull in their crunch relegation clash at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Puncheon secured a crucial 1-0 win against Norwich at the end of last season to help Palace retain their Premier League status and also found the net in the FA Cup Final against Manchester United. The Palace captain has yet to score this season and knows this weekend would be the perfect time to end that run.
A point against Hull would be enough to guarantee safety and Puncheon said: “There have been some important goals and, hopefully, I can do that again on Sunday. If I am honest, it does play on my mind a little bit that I have not scored this season, but if I beat myself up it only affects my performances.
“I just worry about doing my best for the team. Sunday would be a good time to get my first of the season but the most important thing is the points. Would I take another 1-0 and scoring the winner like against Norwich last season? Definitely. But if it’s not me, hopefully it will be someone else. I would take any 1-0, even an own goal, as long as we get the points.”
Palace looked safe when they reached the 38-point mark but three straight defeats has dragged them back into trouble and Puncheon describes the Hull game as the “biggest in our history”. Defeat would take it to the final day, when Palace travel to Old Trafford.
Even though United boss Jose Mourinho has said he will field a weakened team with the club having reached the Europa League Final, Palace will want to have wrapped things up by then.
Crystal Palace's Premier League run-in
“We all understand the importance of Sunday,” says Puncheon. “It is bigger than the FA Cup Final for me and it is bigger than Norwich because of the stage we are at in the season. But there is no reason for us to panic.
“Since we have been in the Premier League we have always been a team with our backs against the wall. But we have always come out shining. I like to believe that will happen on Sunday.”
