CRYSTAL Palace manager Neil Warnock has been sacked after his side lost 3-1 to Saints on Boxing Day.

Warnock becomes the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season after coming under heavy pressure in recent weeks.

And Saints' triumph at Selhurst Park appears to have been the last straw for the Palace board.

Sadio Mane, Ryan Bertrand and Toby Alderweireld put Saints in control before Palace defender Scott Dann added a late consolation.

Daily Echo:

Sadio Mane rounds Crystal Palace 'keeper Julian Speroni to score Saints' first goal

Warnock, 66, joined the Eagles for a second time in August, after Tony Pulis resigned.

The win put Saints back in the top four on 32 points.

Palace currently sit in the Premier League relegation zone, one point below 17th placed Hull City.