Joel Ward paid tribute to the unstoppable Yannick Bolasie after the winger provided two assists in Crystal Palace's 3-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday.
Bolasie was a constant threat all afternoon and his excellent performance helped Neil Warnock’s side recover from an early setback to earn a much-needed victory.
It was a win which ended a run of two straight defeats and moved Palace out of the Premier League’s relegation zone.
And Ward believes the confidence Bolasie played with was a huge factor in inspiring the rest of the squad to their best performance of the season.
The defender said: “Bolasie was on his game and he was unstoppable.
“His confidence ran right through the team.
“It was a massive result for us.
“We had results go against us on Saturday and it was vitally important that we picked up a result.
“Everyone played their best and we showed we can handle ourselves against a team like Liverpool and deserved the win.”
Ward added: “We put in a solid display from back to front.
“The front lads worked tremendously hard and we know if we stay in the game then we’ve got a chance.
“We have got a great character and unity and it showed today.”
Palace got off to the worst possible start when Rickie Lambert gave Liverpool the lead within 90 seconds of the kick-off.
But the Eagles were level in the 17th minute after Bolasie’s long-range drive cannoned back off the post for Dwight Gayle to slot home.
Bolasie then provided a superb assist for Joe Ledley to give Palace the lead in the 78th minute before and Mile Jedinak’s stunning free-kick a few minute later sealed all three points.
Ward described Jedinak’s goal as amazing.
He said: “I was standing behind him and said to him ‘come on, you’ve got this’, and then he stuck it in the top corner.
“It was a fantastic strike and he was a great leader for us again on Sunday.”
Palace’s next Premier League assignment is a trip to Swansea on Saturday and the defender wants his team to build on this victory and move even further up the table.
“It is going to be a tough game because we know what they’re capable of,” said Ward.
“They’re one of the best passing teams in the country so we’re going to be up against it, but if we put up a performance like that we’ll do well.”
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