Townsend relieved to be off the mark at Palace

After hitting his first goal for Crystal Palace, winger Andros Townsend admitted his relief at showing the Selhurst Park faithful the full extent of his capabilities.

Townsend joined Palace from Newcastle United this summer for £13million to try and add ingenuity to the front line.

But, ahead of the weekend, he was yet to register for the Eagles in an indifferent start to the campaign.

His best work had been done recovering the ball defensively, but on Sunday he found the net and laid on another as Palace put four goals past Stoke City.

Townsend said: “I was brought to this club to contribute with goals and assists.

(Ian Walton/Getty Images)

“I’ve been a little disappointed so far this season that I haven’t been able to do that, but to get a goal and an assist in one game, I’m delighted with that.

“Hopefully I can keep that going in the next few games.

“It was a great day all round.

“We knew if we started quickly, like we did against Middlesbrough [2-1 win last week], we’d get some early goals and it turned out that way.

“It turned out to be a great afternoon for us.”