LONDON (AFP) - Crystal Palace pushed QPR deeper into the relegation mire with a 3-1 win over their London rivals at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Alan Pardew's side swept into a three-goal lead by half-time, thanks to strikes from Wilfried Zaha, James McArthur and Joel Ward.

Matt Phillips produced one of the goals of the season in the closing stages but the winger's brilliant drive, from at least 40 yards out, came too late to spark a QPR fightback.

QPR's fourth successive Premier League loss extended their miserable run to nine defeats in their last 10 games, leaving the west Londoners third bottom and three points from safety.

While QPR have shown no signs of improvement since Chris Ramsey replaced Harry Redknapp as manager in February, Palace have been in the ascendency since Pardew took over from Neil Warnock.

The Eagles look certain to retain their top-flight status for another season after moving 11 points clear of the bottom three.