Payet scores again from free kick, Palace holds Hammers 2-2

Posted April 02, 2016 7:00 am

The Associated Press

West Ham United's Dimitri Payet celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game, during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at Upton Park, in London, Saturday April 2, 2016. (Steve Paston/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) - Dimitri Payet's latest stunning free kick wasn't enough to earn 10-man West Ham a victory in its pursuit of Champions League football next season as Crystal Palace scored late to earn a 2-2 draw in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Payet has scored from free kicks in three of his last 4 games

The result stalled West Ham's top-four ambitions, with the Hammers remaining fifth, 3 points behind Man City.

Palace started well with Damien Delaney's headed goal in the 15th.

West Ham then took charge, Manuel Lanzini scoring just three minutes later, followed by a sublime Payet free kick just before halftime.

The game turned when West Ham was reduced to 10 men, Cheikhou Kouyate receiving a red card for a foul on Gayle in the 67th minute. Gayle then leveled eight minutes later with a strike from 12 meters out.

Crystal Palace was still without a win this year.

Things began brightly for Crystal Palace, with Delaney's header giving its fans hope that it could end its baron run in 2016. Moments later, however, Lanzini struck at the near post.

It was then Payet who took center-stage. A perfect 22-meter free kick which dipped beautifully into the top corner past Wayne Hennessey gave West Ham the lead, highlighting the skill that the Frenchman has shown this season.

Payet's hard work was undone when Mark Clattenburg judged Kouyate's challenge on Gayle to be worthy of a straight red card, and Gayle went on to equalize.

West Ham United's Manuel Lanzani celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during their English Premier League soccer match against Crystal Palace at Upton Park, London, Saturday, April 2, 2016. (Steve Paston/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES The Associated Press

West Ham United's Mark Noble, left, and Crystal Palace's Joe Ledley, center, battle for the ball during their English Premier League soccer match at Upton Park, London, Saturday, April 2, 2016. (Steve Paston/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES The Associated Press

Crystal Palace's Damien Delaney celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game during their English Premier League soccer match against West Ham at Upton Park, London, Saturday, April 2, 2016. (Steve Paston/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES The Associated Press

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