LONDON: Crystal Palace failed to benefit from the Roy Hodgson effect as an early Steven Davis goal and two saves by Fraser Forster helped Southampton beat the Premier League's bottom club 1-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Palace were playing for the first time under new manager Hodgson but were reeling in the sixth minute when Davis steered the ball into the bottom corner after home goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey beat out a low right cross from Dusan Tadic.
Palace are without a goal in their opening five league matches, a Premier League record, but not for want of trying. Ruben Loftus-Cheek twice came close after half an hour and Forster also had to make a good save from Christian Benteke.
Former England manager Hodgson took charge at Palace this week after Dutchman Frank de Boer was sacked following four defeats and no goals in his debut Premier League season.
The victory moves the Saints into fifth place pending the outcome of later matches on Saturday, with eight points from five games.