Townsend put the hosts in front with a 29th-minute penalty, awarded after referee David Coote watched replays back pitchside of Ozan Kabak’s challenge on Allan.
Browsing: Andros Townsend
Wilfried Zaha, who pre-match became the first Premier League player not to take the knee, won the spot-kick and Roy Hodgson saw his players keep a third clean sheet from their last four games to secure a vital victory.
The 22-year-old was handed his full debut as Roy Hodgson’s men bowed out 11-10 on penalties to Bournemouth in the English League Cup on Tuesday evening.
Neil Warnock’s side needed to win their final two games to have a chance of overtaking Brighton, who enjoyed a four-point advantage and a far superior goal difference heading into the penultimate weekend.
Liverpool have moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League standings with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Crystal Palace in Saturday’s clash at Anfield.
The Red Devils were two down to Andros Townsend and Patrick van Aanholt strikes but recovered to snatch three points which return them to second in the table
Benteke, Wilfried Zaha and Bakary Sako all notched on the break at the King Power Stadium for the Eagles, who ended a run of ten consecutive games without an away goal in the top flight in order to record their first win on the road since April.
It was the third home win for Crystal Palace
A handful of senior figures, including Michael Carrick and Leighton Baines, have been left out of the setup, while Theo Walcott has also been snubbed after struggling to hold down a regular place in Arsenal’s team this season
Yannick Bolasie was looking like the most dangerous player on the pitch in the first half, and he tried his luck from a long way out on a counter-attack only to see his powerful effort fly a couple of yards past the post