Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur may have got on the scoresheet in Saturday's 3-1 win over QPR, but he is all about the team ethic.

The Scottish international’s goal in the 40th minute made it 2-0 to the Eagles and was sandwiched between two other first-half strikes from Wilfried Zaha and Joel Ward, as the Eagles secured a comfortable victory and send their London rivals ever closer to the Premier League trapdoor.

As for Palace, they are eight points clear of danger ahead of this weekend's trip to Stoke City.

McArthur said: “We played very well in the first half and thought we were going to score a couple more.

“Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha were causing major problems for them and that’s the quality we’ve got, but the second half was a disappointing performance but it got us the result in the end.”

Bolasie and Zaha were the constant thorn in QPR’s side, exploiting the masses of space on either flank and punishing the visitors with their accurate pinpoint crossing and assists.

Palace 3-1 QPR - Bolasie's in the dog house, but the Eagles soar

The summer 2014 transfer window signing from Wigan was quick to sing their praises - and that of manager Alan Pardew for his hard work and thinking on the training ground.

“They’re top quality players with pace, power, tricks and a final ball,” said McArthur about Zaha and Bolasie.

“The manager has been on Wilf to get inside and try to get more goals - he’s listened to the gaffer and got that goal and I am really pleased for him, but the manager needs to take credit for the goals as he’s been speaking about us getting in those positions.

“Obviously we’ve scored the goals, but if we’re not in the right position or not got the desire to get on the end of them then you’re not going to score goals.

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Team game: Julian Speroni pulls off a late save in the win over London rivals QPR

“You know Yannick is going to get behind the player and with Glenn Murray up front you know he’s going to hold the ball up - as a midfielder it’s great to have players like that in front of you.”

The third and final scorer was Ward - his first strike for the club and his first since 2012 when he scored for former club Portsmouth - and McArthur was happy to see him on the scoresheet.

“He’s a true professional,” exclaimed McArthur. “Every single thing he does is 100 per cent effort; he’s a seven or eight out of 10 for us in every single match.

“He’s a real key player for the team and I am really, really delighted for him to get a goal and so are all the boys.”

The sense of unity within the current Eagles squad is evident both on and off the pitch with McArthur highlighting a lack of egos in the dressing room as the reason for the current performances and results, praising players for their ability to adapt into the team.

“We’re not going to get anywhere as individuals, we are going to get there as a team and we’ve done that this year,” he explained.

“I wasn’t here last year but watching you could see a team cohesion and togetherness - that’s the reason why they’ve pulled together and stayed up and that’s why we’re doing so well.”

“It’s down to how good the characters are who we’ve got in the changing room. No-one’s got a down about maybe doing a job for the team.

“Everyone has got an understanding on the pitch, but look at Jason Puncheon who’s come into midfield and done a fantastic job.

“He’s not really played that position before but he’s nailing it down to a tee. He’s knows how to play, he’s an experienced pro.

"He knows where to be and that’s great for us; he’s got that extra bit of quality - he takes his time and gets on it and causes teams’ problems.”