Crystal Palace striker Glenn Murray was delighted to justify Alan Pardew’s team selection with a brace during the Eagles’ 3-1 victory over West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday.

Murray spent the first half of the season on loan at Reading after seemingly being out of favour under Neil Warnock.

But he was drafted back to Selhurst by Alan Pardew and has signed new a one-year contract extension with the club.

The striker demonstrated his ability at the Hammers with two goals from Jason Puncheon crosses, either side of a Scott Dann header, to ensure the Eagles’ unbeaten away run under Pardew continues.

Murray said: “He (Pardew) showed faith in me by giving me a new deal midway through January – that gave me a confidence boost.

“He just said ‘I want you to be here, you’ll get your chance and I want you to be in and around the club to be part of it’.

“So it was just a case of waiting for my chance.”

Murray came off the bench one week earlier to score in the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, a cameo which booked his place in the starting XI at Upton Park.

“Last weekend I got on the score-sheet and he rewarded me with a start today,” the striker explained.

“I took that momentum and confidence into this game and luckily got a couple of goals.

“Everyone speaks about the first half of the season, unfortunately I wasn’t here so I didn’t see what was going on.

“But since I’ve been back, with the new gaffer it’s been good.

“The training ground’s a positive place and we’re getting results.”

Murray’s first goal came four minutes before the break and his second, a glancing header from one of Puncheon’s three assists, sealed the victory after 63 minutes.

However, his afternoon came to an abrupt end when he was dismissed for a second yellow card.

“The first goal was a little bit lucky but sometimes that’s what you need to break the deadlock,” the 31-year-old said.

“I feel as though I’ve done my job but I made it tough for the team towards the end there.

“It (the sending off) was an accumulation. It was just a natural reaction in the box to try and get on the end of a cross.

“But that’s the sort of team we are, we’ve dug in, hung on and got the three points.

“West Ham have done very well this year and it’s a difficult place to come, so we’re delighted with the win.”

Murray will now be unavailable for tonight’s trip to Southampton – follow @NewsShopperSprt for live updates from St Mary’s.