Taylor pins promotion hopes on happy Christmas

Peter Taylor believes Palace must take maximum points over the Christmas period, or kiss goodbye to their slim hopes of reaching the play-offs.

The Eagles have slipped perilously close to the relegation spots over the last couple of months, and face tough matches against Sunderland, Southampton and Cardiff over the festive period.

But Taylor refuses to rule out a promotion charge, and reckons a nine point haul from those games could get his side back in the picture.

"It takes time for any manager to stamp his authority," said Taylor. "If we don't have a good Christmas, we'll have to admit we're not getting promotion.

"But three wins would put us back in the picture."