Sakho’s calming presence key to Palace upturn, says Tomkins

James Tomkins has hailed the presence of Liverpool loanee Mamadou Sakho as a major part of Crystal Palace’s improved form.

The Eagles have won their last two Premier League games, against Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion, without conceding a goal.

Sam Allardyce’s men are now out of the relegation zone, having kept back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since April 2016.

Tomkins and Sakho have been centre-back partners in both those games, and the former West Ham man hailed the French international’s calming influence on the Eagles backline.

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“Mamadou has come in and he’s good to play alongside because he is so chilled and calm,” said 27-year-old Tomkins, who joined Palace last summer for £12 million.

“He has been brilliant since he has been here and it’s a joy to play with him and I am enjoying my time as we learn from each other and let’s hope it can keep going.

“From a personal point of view I think I have been playing well and it’s so big to be keeping clean sheets in the Premier League.

“[Clean sheets] is something the manager has always been big on and he has not changed one bit.

“He is trying to keep us as solid as we can and we will always have goals in us at the other end from our front three.”