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Crystal Palace 3-0 Southampton: A birthday brace for Christian Benteke seals a vital three points for Alan Pardew's men

Crystal Palace sealed a vital three points with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Claude Puel's in-form Southampton.

A brace from birthday boy Christian Benteke and an instinctive finish by defender James Tomkins were enough to give the Eagles all three points and send the Saints back down to the south coast empty handed.

Benteke was able to put the Eagles ahead on his birthday after being gifted an opportunity by Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster - who pulled off a howler of an 'air shot' in front of new England manager Gareth Southgate, before Tomkins slotted in a second and the Belgian striker himself completed the rout.