Jason Puncheon revealed Dwight Gayle was always meant to take the free-kick from which he scored Crystal Palace’s winner against Stoke City on Saturday.

Gayle stepped up to curl a long-range set-piece into the top corner, having already cancelled out Charlie Adam’s opener.

And although Puncheon backed the Palace striker from such distance, he revealed his instruction helped pave the way for the goal.

“I said to him before the game, we spoke about it,” said Puncheon.

“If there’s one on that side he’s going to hit it – especially from that distance – because he hits it with so much pace and power.

“I knew straight away it was going in.

“One of the guys stood at the end of the wall and it didn’t look like Gayley could get it round.

“So I said to Joel [Ward] go and stand over there, and the guy moved. That gave Gayley the extra yard to hit it round to score.”

Gayle’s winner saw Palace move onto 42 points for the season, guaranteeing their Premier League status for another year.

And Puncheon was full of praise for his teammate, who has only managed 15 league appearances this season.

“It was good to win, but great credit to Dwight Gayle,” Puncheon added.

“He’s been out for a long time, come back, got his chance and he’s took his two goals.

“Definitely not,” said Puncheon, when asked if there was ever any doubt Gayle would finish his chances.

“He’s done well since he came back and in the chances he has had in the game. I’m happy for him.”

Gayle will be one of the Palace players hoping to continue his run in the side against Southampton on the final day of the league season on Sunday, in the hope he can earn a place in the starting XI for the FA Cup final.

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