ALAN PARDEW says there is "something about the cup" after seeing his side come from behind to beat Southampton 3-2 in an enthralling FA Cup tie.
Two goals from Marouane Chamakh and a first goal for loan signing Yaya Sanogo helped the Eagles to an impressive win on the south coast against the Premier League high-fliers, with Pardew winning for the first time at St Mary's since leaving the Saints four-and-a-half years ago.
All the goals came in a frenetic first half, with Palace breaching the Saints' defence three times in the opening 45 minutes, after Southampton had conceded just 16 goals in their 22 league games so far this season.
And Pardew admitted that it was a great cup tie for the neutral, while praising his side for their attacking display on a day when the Premier League's top three - Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton - all lost.
"There is something about the cup that gets players up for the game," he said.
"It was quite an open game and I can't quite put my finger on it why that would be so, more than in a Premier League game."
But Pardew said his side deserved credit for their performance, with the Eagles maintaining their 100 per cent record under the former Newcastle boss since he took over at Selhurst Park earlier this month.
"They [Southampton] have got good defenders and are difficult to open up, so I was very pleased with the way we went about attacking Southampton," he said.
"Both of their goals were poor goals from our point of view, but to score immediately was important for us and it increased our belief.
"We got ourselves in front and then we had to play a bit differently, because we knew that Southampton would keep coming and coming, but it was a great win for us.
"That is four games now where we have had to show different qualities, but we have shown we can win games."
