Neil Warnock hailed Crystal Palace’s unlikely 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns on Saturday as one of the best results of his managerial life.

Alassane N’Diaye’s first goal for the Eagles in the 63rd minute secured all three Championship points as Palace upset the league leaders, who suffered their first league defeat of the season.

"This is what we are in the game for," said Warnock.

"Two weeks ago, the defeat to Scunthorpe was probably the lowest part of my career and this result is one of the highest.

"I thought we were super and everyone gave me everything.

"We didn't come to defend, we came to have a go at Albion and we pushed right up on them and I think we deserved the win.

"We had read that this was going to be Albion's ninth game without defeat and I think things like that help you.

"You have to defend for your lives against a team like this who are scoring goals for fun.

"That is what makes the result so satisfying for me and I am really proud of my lads."

With West Brom coming off the back of a 5-0 demolition of fellow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough in their own back yard the weekend before, you could have forgiven Warnock for lining Palace up 4-5-1, with Sean Scannell the lone forward.

Yet it was Palace who started the brightest against Roberto De Matteo’s men, Neil Danns’ showing the London side’s attacking intent after just two minutes when he lashed a 25 yard effort just wide of Scott Carson’s post.

Victor Moses, who was lively all game, saw a shot blocked after nine minutes as Palace silenced the noisy crowd with their passing and possession in the first 20 minutes.

West Brom came to life in the 23rd minute when Luke Moore should have scored from 12 yards following Gianni Zuiverloon’s centre but the former Villa striker blazed over.

Moments later Gonzalo Jara was played in but he could only shoot straight at Julian Speroni.

After weathering this storm, Palace looked the more likely to score before the break with Moses going close on two occasions although Paddy McCarthy was called upon to dispossess Moore in the penalty area as he was about to pull the trigger.

The start of the second half started in similar fashion to the first, Danns getting forward only to drag his long range effort wide.

Graham Dorrans then went close for the hosts in the 47th minute before Darren Ambrose was allowed the time and space to curl a shot just wide of Carson’s upright.

Just before the hour West Brom should have made the break through when the unmarked Moore received the ball in the box, only for Speroni to save his close range effort with his feet.

Moments later the Argentine was saving from Dorrans.

After this scare, Palace took the lead after substitute Alan Lee flicked on Danny Butterfield’s long free-kick into the path of N’Diaye, who held off Shelton Martis to poke the ball past Carson.

West Brom rarely threatened as the game drew to a close, save for a free-header from sub Reuben Reid that flew wide in the 86th minute, as Palace took a well earned three points.

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon (Reid 60), Olsson, Martis, Mattock, Jara, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Koren (Wood, 78), Moore (Cox, 60), Bednar. Subs Not Used: Kiely, Barnett, Teixeira, Meite.

Booked: Bednar, Mulumbu, Cox.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Fonte, McCarthy, Hill, Ambrose (Lee, 61), N'Diaye, Danns, Derry, Moses, Scannell (Carle, 72). Subs Not Used: Flahavan, Hills, Ertl, Davis, Cadogan.

Booked: Derry, Carle.

Goals: N'Diaye 63.

Att: 21,007

Ref: Russell Booth (Nottinghamshire).