English Premier League round-up: There is more to survival than just a Chelsea upset

No Crystal Palace side has ever spent longer than a single season in the Premier League and Tony Pulis, who boasts a record of never being relegated during his managerial career, believes there is still plenty of work to be done.

Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis was happy with his team’s shocking win over first-place Chelsea last weekend but the next big test is Cardiff City, who were promoted alongside Palace last year. ScotShow more

Tony Pulis has insisted that last weekend’s victory over Chelsea did not mean Crystal Palace have secured Premier League status and knows the win will have counted for little if they fall to Cardiff City on Saturday.

A John Terry own goal was enough to give Palace a surprise 1-0 victory over Jose Mourinho’s title-chasing side at Selhurst Park, moving them five points clear of the relegation zone in the process.

No Palace side has ever spent longer than a single season in the Premier League and Pulis, who boasts a record of never being relegated during his managerial career, believes there is still plenty of work to be done if he is to become the first man to steer the south London side to safety.

“It was three points against Chelsea but that is gone now,” he said.

“The most important thing is to focus on the next game, which is probably going to be more difficult. The lads can take a lot from the way they played last weekend but that goes out the window when we kick-off on Saturday.

“All that counts now is the Cardiff game. We need to make sure we put in enough performances like last weekend to get us over the line.

“If people think it is all over and done with after the Chelsea game it isn’t, we have still got to get the points because everyone down there is fighting. We have got to focus on getting the points as quickly as we can.”

With Cardiff – promoted alongside Palace last season – also fighting for their lives, Pulis is anticipating a challenge when he takes his side to south Wales and reckons even a third away win of the campaign would not mean top-flight football is guaranteed for next season.

“Cardiff will want to drag us back into it,” he said. “They have got some good players.

“It will be a very difficult game for us but we have known that all season. We have been the underdogs all season and that will continue, irrespective of where we are in the table.”

Palace could be aided by the return from injury of striker Marouane Chamakh. Pulis said: “Chamakh is important to us. He has got tremendous technical ability and can open the door for us.”

Ramsey among several Arsenal players expected back in action

Aaron Ramsey could return to Arsenal’s squad for the first time this year in Sunday’s Premier League clash at Everton, manager Arsene Wenger said.

Ramsey has not featured since suffering a thigh strain at West Ham on Boxing Day, robbing Wenger of one of his key performers with the midfielder, 23, having scored an impressive 13 goals in the opening part of the season.

Having initially expected only a six-week absence, Ramsey suffered a couple of niggling setbacks, but is now in line to make the trip to Merseyside as Arsenal look to take a grip on fourth place ahead of their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Monday.

“Aaron and Nacho Monreal are back training with the squad, so that is good news. (Abou) Diaby is back on the pitches, so that is good news,” Wenger said.

Midfielder Diaby has not featured for more than a year because of a serious knee injury for the combative France international.

Pochettino optimistic ahead of meeting with Manchester City

Mauricio Pochettino is confident Southampton can derail Manchester City’s title bid this weekend, even if Sergio Aguero is back from injury.

As the season enters the home stretch, Manuel Pellegrini’s side are fighting it out with Liverpool and Chelsea for the Premier League crown. Southampton have yet to lose to City during Pochettino’s tenure.

“We always have the belief that we are going to win,” he said.

Injury will sideline Benteke for 2014 World Cup

Belgium striker Christian Benteke will miss the World Cup after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in training and was ruled out for six months on Thursday.

“It’s a terrible blow both for Christian and for the club,” Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert said. “But he’ll work hard and he’ll come back stronger.”

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