Jason Puncheon scored the only goal of the game to help Crystal Palace beat Stoke City 1-0 in their Premier League match at Selhurst Park, and move them off the bottom of the table.

Marouane Chamakh had the first opportunity of the afternoon, but could only direct his diving header from close-range wide of the far post.

Jason Puncheon of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mates during the Barclays Premier League match against Stoke City on January 18, 2014 © Getty Images

Stoke came close with a chance of their own soon after, as Peter Crouch saw his header from a Charlie Adam free kick pushed wide by Julian Speroni.

Erik Pieters tried his luck for the visitors, but put his long-range volley wide of the post.

Within a minute of the restart Stoke almost took the lead, when Adam fired wide from the edge of the box, after latching onto Crouch's knock-down.

Jonathan Walters of Stoke City is challenged by Adlene Guedioura of Crystal Palace during the Barclays Premier League match on January 18, 2014 © Getty Images

In the 51st minute of the match, Palace took the lead. Puncheon collected the ball in the area, and worked the ball onto his left foot, before drilling a low strike into the bottom corner.

Crouch came within inches of equalising for the visitors, but his curling effort drifted just wide of the far post.

The home side were denied a second in the closing stages as Jack Butland saved Joel Ward's effort, before denying Puncheon and Stuart O'Keefe's close-range follow-ups.