STUART O’Keefe believes the Eagles finally got what they deserved by beating Stoke City 1-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

The former Ipswich youth product made his return from injury to shore up the midfield in the closing stages as the home side clinched a crucial three points and hauled themselves out of the relegation zone.

O’Keefe said: “Personally, it was pleasing to get onto the pitch again after my injury.

“The gaffer just told me to go out there and keep it tight and to try to get out to their midfield a bit and that’s what I tried to do.

“It’s a good result for everyone at the club because the performances of late have been really pleasing, especially since Chelsea.

“We haven’t got as many points we deserved from those matches.

“But we dug in today and got a big three points today and now we are up to 16th.”

Next up for the Eagles is a weekend FA Cup fourth round trip to holders Wigan before they return to SE25 next Tuesday for another must-win Premier League against another of their drop rivals.

“We’ve got Hull coming up next, which is a huge game because it comes before a difficult run of games,” added O’Keefe.

“So we have to make the most of it, especially as it is at home where we have been so strong.

“Obviously our main focus is on the league but there is no reason we can go up to Wigan and beat them.

“It is another chance to get a win and winning becomes a good habit to have.”

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