English Premiership/Blackburn 1 - Crystal Palace 0: Robbie Savage was allegedly involved in some argy-bargy in the tunnel at half-time but Blackburn were generally on their best behaviour. The damage their passing and movement inflicted on Iain Dowie's side was probably far more agonising than anything that might have been imparted by studs dragging down shins. While Mark Hughes's team finally banished lingering relegation fears, Palace remain deep in trouble.

Hughes claims to be "staggered and incensed" by media criticism of his side's combative tactics during last Saturday's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal. Moreover he cannot comprehend the violent conduct charge imposed on Andy Todd by the FA in the wake of his elbow ending up in the mouth of Robin van Persie.

Palace conceded a series of corners, one of which, from Morten Gamst Pedersen, had Gary Borrowdale heading off the line with Gabor Kiraly stranded. Kiraly did rather better to claw away a header from Jonathan Stead, reputedly bound for Sunderland and deputising for the injured Paul Dickov.

Having announced his return to first-team action with a booking for a foul on Mikele Leigertwood, Savage began to dominate central midfield. Moreover he nearly created a goal, Ryan Nelsen advancing to connect with his free-kick and drive it against the outside of a post from 12 yards.

Locals were hugely relieved, though, when Savage escaped unpunished after tripping Wayne Routledge just outside the area, and Andy Johnson saw his free-kick blocked.

Blackburn duly took the lead with the last kick of the first half. Savage curled in a free-kick from the left and the unmarked Pedersen bundled the ball over the line.

BLACKBURN: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Matteo, Mokoena, Emerton, Savage (Tugay 45 mins), Reid, Pedersen (Thompson 75 mins), Stead. Subs not used: Flitcroft, Enckelman, Gallagher. Booked: Savage, Reid, Mokoena. Goal: Pedersen 45.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Kiraly, Butterfield (Popovic 76 mins), Hall, Sorondo, Borrowdale, Routledge, Leigertwood, Hughes, Kolkka (Soares 45 mins), Johnson, Freedman (Torghelle 60 mins). Subs not used: Speroni, Shipperley. Booked: Sorondo, Butterfield.

Referee: P Walton (Northamptonshire).