MAMADOU SAKHO capped his first appearance as Crystal Palace skipper on Saturday with a close-range winner in added time — securing three crucial points for his side over Stoke City.

The Potters started the second half the better of the two teams following a largely uneventful opening 45 minutes.

Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri broke the deadlock after his winding run was topped off with a clinical finish from the edge of the area. 

The visitors’ manager Mark Hughes felt as if that goal was the only bit of quality shown in the game and that his side deserved more.

“In terms of the general game, I think the story should’ve been the great goal from Shaqiri, a great individual goal and that’s the one real piece of quality from both teams, in my view,” said the Welshman.

“We had more than enough opportunities to win this game, certainly in the first half, I thought. With a bit more care we could’ve scored and created more chances.

“Unfortunately, we let them back into a game which was probably slipping away from them and, if we’d kept the lead for a little bit longer, it would’ve been difficult for them to come back at us.”

Once the hosts went behind, you sensed that the game was heading towards familiar territory for Palace. They’ve struggled to come back from losing positions this season, doing so only once so far, against West Ham.

However, Andros Townsend’s dangerously whipped cross just moments later found Ruben Loftus-Cheek at the back post to bring the Eagles right back into the game.

Roy Hodgson sung the praises of his loanee signing and was delighted with the Chelsea man’s form — highlighting the potential which the youngster possesses.

“All Ruben needs really is games, experience and the knowledge that he can do it week after week,” said the Palace boss.

“He’s not what people might have thought he was — a talented man who can do things in fits and spurts in a game. 

“He’s actually a very, very talented player who in 95 minutes can make a huge difference to your team.”