It wasn't rocket science for Crystal Palace to hire 'survivor' Sam Allardyce, says West Ham chief

West Ham co-chairman David Gold believes Crystal Palace made the right decision appointing Sam Allardyce as manager because the 62-year-old is a "survivor".

Palace named Allardyce - who has managed a long list of clubs including West Ham, Newcastle and Sunderland - as their new boss in late December, just one day after the Eagles sacked Alan Pardew.

Despite initially overseeing a run of four losses and one draw, Allardyce has since lifted the fortunes of Palace - with the club beating league leaders Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge earlier this month and, on Monday, Arsenal.

The Eagles now sit six points above the drop zone and Gold believes Allardyce - who he knows from the latter's time managing West Ham - was always the best choice for Palace because of his experience at helping clubs survive relegation.

"Let's be honest, it wasn't rocket science to appoint him because this is the sort of thing that Sam has been doing at most clubs he's managed," Gold told Goal.

"The England thing was an absolute tragedy for the man - it was the one job above all others that he really wanted - but he's something of a survivor and has now come back and is doing what he's good at."

When then asked about Palace's comprehensive 3-0 home win over Arsenal on Monday, Gold admitted it was a result he had not expected particularly because the Gunners had beaten West Ham by the same scoreline just a week earlier.

"The win over Arsenal was extraordinary and really surprised me because they had beaten us 3-0 and played very well so to get turned over like that by Palace was an incredible result," he added.

"Palace really punished them."