Cyrstal Palace boss Alan Pardew labelled defender Brede Hangeland an indirect hero after his side's 1-0 win at Leicester City.

The towering centre back set-up Joe Ledley's headed winner at the King Power stadium, having only come on as a half time replacement for the unfortunate Scott Dann.

Dann went off after colliding with Foxes defender Wes Morgan and Pardew admitted the change - along with the introduction of Yaya Sanogo - tipped the balance in his side's favour.

"We showed great resilience. We didn't quite have the right balance between defence and attack in the first half and we had to change that a little bit," said the manager.

"We were better in the second half and I was pleased we managed to get the goal because we had numerous chances on the break and should have capitalised before we did.

"Scott has got a large golf ball sized lump on his head. He did not feel quite right. I don't think he was concussed, but he just felt a little bit uncomfortable.

"That actually turned out to be significant for us, because Hangelenad was the best player.

"He was calm, great defensively, won everything and contributed to the goal. Indirectly it kind of worked for us."

Palace have now won five out of Pardew's six games in charge and are looking up the table instead of over their shoulders at the drop.

But Pardew insists remaining in the top flight remains the priority.

"We are very much focused on being a Premier League team next season," he added.

"With the new TV rights negotiated this week and the TV rights for next year already in place - and being a London club - we can build very quickly."

"But we need to stay in the division it is as simply as that."