Crystal Palace came from behind to claim a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Southampton and move within touching distance of the top half of the table.

The Saints went in front inside 10 minutes when Oriol Romeu headed James Ward-Prowse's corner in off the woodwork.

Palace drew level on the hour mark however as Eberechi Eze steered a low finish in after Nathaniel Clyne dug out a cross from the byline. 

Wilfried Zaha then dramatically won it for the Eagles in stoppage time, pinning Jan Bednarek on the edge of the area before swivelling and hitting a low drive into the bottom corner.

Palace manager Patrick Vieira was thrilled with the character and performance of his men.

He said: "At half-time in the dressing room there was a lot of positive energy because we felt that we didn't deserve to go 1-0 down. 

"We strongly believed there was a space for us to get back into the game and to even win it. 

"It was a really positive vibe in the dressing room and we wanted to go back and start in the best way possible to get into the game. 

"The team didn’t deserve to go 1-0 down. We had a lot of possession and we didn’t use the ball well. 

"The message about the last 30 yards, [was to] be a little bit more ruthless and try to have a little bit more quality in the last pass, try to make the right decision to put team-mates in a good position to score goals. 

"We came back in the second half a bit more quicker in our passing and we managed to score those two goals. 

"I was really pleased with not just the character we showed but the quality of our game, our passing.

"It was a really good performance away from home and that's why I was really pleased — that we bounced back and won the game. 

"The players really deserved those three points because they [not only] worked hard but worked really well."

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl demanded a response from his side after the defeat.

He said: "I mean, we know about the quality in the Premier League and we know we had a lot of work to do to make the 40 points [this season]. 

"There is still three games to come and we have not made the job easier. What we have done today would have been much easier and a big chance to step forward. 

"We didn't take it again and this is the frustrating thing. It’s on me to lift everyone again to push back, because we have to. The last three games are tough. 

"Two away games and Liverpool, we have to show up and come back stronger. Finding the right players able to deliver what we want to see."

Did you know?

This is just the second time Southampton have lost a home Premier League game against Crystal Palace (won eight, drawn three), with their previous defeat coming in January 2018 by the same scoreline.

Southampton have dropped more points from winning positions (26) than any other side in the Premier League this season, 18 of which have been at St Mary’s (drawn six, lost two).

Palace came from behind to win a Premier League game for the first time this season — last doing so against Aston Villa in May 2021.

Zaha came on to make his 400th appearance in English league football (excluding play-offs — 386 for Crystal Palace, 12 for Cardiff and two for Manchester United).

Since making his Premier League debut for Southampton in August 2012, only Chris Brunt (22) and Christian Eriksen (21) have more assists from dead-ball situations than Ward-Prowse (20). 

Ward-Prowse has either scored (three) or assisted (one) four of his side’s last five Premier League goals.