Alan Pardew hailed his Eagles after Saturday’s 4-1 win at Sunderland, claiming they could have scored even more.

Yannick Bolasie hit a hat-trick, and Glenn Murray also got on the scoresheet, to keep Palace 11th in the Premier League table, while the Black Cats’ battle for top flight survival continues.

Pardew said: “We were terrific and we caused Sunderland a lot of problems.

“It was an emphatic win and the scoreline did not even do us justice. We had so many chances and never looked in any danger.”

He added: “This performance won’t get many headlines as we’re mid-table, but it was an outstanding performance.

“We were great and that’s seven away wins out of our past eight games.

“At a professional level that’s unbelievable.”

Crystal Palace host West Bromwich Albion this weekend at Selhurst Park.

Bolasie, the first Palace player to score a Premier League hat-trick, said: “It’s frightening really, I have not scored as many goals this season as I should, and to score three in 10 minutes is mad.

“You have to enjoy moments like this because they don’t come round very often.”

He added: “Tactically we were spot on, so all credit to the manager.”