Crystal Palace suffered a 1-0 defeat to West Brom in their opening game of the Premier League season this afternoon.
The Eagles were the better side for long periods but were made to rue a string of missed opportunities as Salomon Rondon's header was enough to secure all three points in a tight encounter.
Andros Townsend has been brought in to add a degree of consistency to Palace's attack and his superb set-piece delivery created an early opening for Connor Wickham, who steered his header just wide of the post.
Another chance went begging as Mile Jedinak launched a rare foray forward down the left flank before squaring for Wickham, who dragged his effort wide of the target.
Despite a somewhat surprising decision to name both Saido Berahino and Rondon in his side, Tony Pulis's men retained their defensive shape well and restricted Palace's influence the wide areas of the pitch.
Townsend and Zaha both struggled to get into the game and the hosts were fortunate not to go into break behind as Scott Dann flicked the ball to safety after Berahino had skipped past a poor challenge by Pape Souare.
Pardew switched Zaha and Townsend to opposite flanks for the second half and the alteration almost yielded immediate results when Zaha was denied twice by Ben Foster after breaking clean through the Baggies' defence.
Townsend also went close just after the hour mark when he picked up the ball wide before drifting inside and lashing an effort over the bar.
And, with the game in need of added impetus, Pardew called upon Yannick Bolasie, who has been strongly linked with a move to Everton, to make a breakthrough.
But it was West Brom who produced the decisive moment of quality when Rondon rose highest to guide James McClean's cross into the corner or the net.
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Having struggled to score goals regularly on home turf for most of last season, today's result will do little other than reinforce the view that Pardew needs to add to his frontline - and fast - if Palace are to progress rather than stagnate this term.
