SWANSEA, United Kingdom (AFP) - Glenn Murray ended almost a year of frustration by scoring his first ever Premier League goal through a second-half penalty to secure a 1-1 draw for Crystal Palace against Swansea on Sunday.
The 30-year-old, who was Palace's leading scorer last season with 31 goals but had not played since May because of injury and had only returned to action against Manchester United last weekend, slotted home the penalty eight minutes from time.
Jonathan De Guzman had given the hosts the lead in the first-half but Murray's goal, only Palace's sixth away goal of the season and first since Dec 26, earned his side a valuable point in the relegation battle.
Swansea are five points above the relegation places as a result while Palace, who have played a game fewer than the Swans, are three points clear of third from bottom Sunderland.
Sunderland have a game in hand on the London side and two on the Welsh outfit.
Swansea dominated possession from the outset.
It still took them over 20 minutes to turn that into creating chances but it was worth waiting for from the home fans' point of view as De Guzman netted.
It was a fine passing movement too as skipper Ashley Williams, Wilfried Bony and the recalled Leon Britton were all involved before De Guzman beat the Palace defence to the ball and slotted it home.
Palace's woeful away goals record did not look like improving when Moroccan international striker Marouane Chamakh limped off in the first-half clutching his hamstring.
Swansea almost doubled their lead just after his exit as the impressive Bony leapt to head goalwards only for Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni to make a remarkable save and deny him his 11th league goal of the season.
Palace manager Tony Pulis changed his lineup at half-time sending on Murray but the striker had to delay his entrance as he injured his hand warming up.
However, initially Murray failed to add much to the Palace attack and the match looked to be petering out tamely until Chico Flores brought down the striker in the area.
Flores was red-carded for the foul and Murray slotted home the penalty.
