Salomon Rondon proved West Bromwich Albion’s match winner as Crystal Palace were beaten in their opening match of the Premier League campaign at Selhurst Park.
Rondon made the difference when he rose to meet James McClean’s in-swinging free-kick past Wayne Hennessey on 74 minutes.
There were chances for both sides in the first half, with Rondon going close when thwarted by a spectacular save by Hennessey on eight minutes.
The West Brom striker also nodded Craig Gardner’s cross wide five minutes before the interval.
For Palace, Connor Wickham also proved a threat, heading Andros Townsend’s cross wide after 13 minutes and sending a left-foot shot wide midway through the first half.
Wilfried Zaha might have broken the deadlock during the opening stages of the second half when sent clean through but Ben Foster dived bravely at his feet and Craig Dawson made a goal-saving block from the Eagles winger on the follow-up.
But in a close-fought contest it was West Brom head coach Tony Pulis who got the better of his former side.
Read: Crystal Palace match report
Read: West Brom match report
