A superb long-range goal from Jose Fonte helped Crystal Palace claim a 2-1 win over Stoke which lifts the Eagles into the Championship play-off places.

The Palace centre-back scored on the stroke of half-time to double his side's advantage after Tom Soares had headed Palace in front in the 21st minute.

Glenn Whelan pulled a goal back for the Potters six minutes from time but Palace held on and climb up to sixth place at the expense of Wolves, while Stoke remain a point behind leaders Bristol City in second place.

Stoke had threatened straight from the kick-off and had a chance to break the deadlock in the first minute when Andy Griffin whipped a low cross into the penalty area but the Palace defence were able to clear their lines.

Victor Moses then responded for Palace moments later with a jinking run before he curled a shot over the bar from the corner of the 18-yard box.

The Potters hit the woodwork in the ninth minute when Sidibe rose to meet a long throw-in from Delap.

Sidibe's header crashed against the post with goalkeeper Julian Speroni well beaten and rolled across the face of goal but no Stoke players were able to follow up.

But it was Palace who broke the deadlock 12 minutes later against the run of play.

On-loan Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair found space down the right flank and delivered a dangerous ball into the penalty area.

Soares evaded the attention of the Stoke defence and powerfully headed the ball past goalkeeper Carlo Nash from close range.

Tony Pulis' side responded and on-loan Derby midfielder Stephen Pearson lashed a long-range shot at goal in the 29th minute which flew just over the crossbar.

Sidibe was then sent clear six minutes before the interval but was denied after a superb last-ditch tackle from Eagles defender Fonte.

Fonte then doubled Palace's advantage on the stroke of half-time when he latched on to a loose ball on the edge of penalty area.

The Palace centre-back unleashed a superb first-time shot which flew past Nash and into the top-right corner of the net.

The Potters began the second half positively and Richard Cresswell's drive from a narrow angle was tipped over the bar by Speroni seven minutes after the interval.

Stoke continued to look dangerous from set pieces but the Palace defence remained focussed and goalkeeper Speroni confidently claimed high balls into the box on a number of occasions.

Speroni then produced a fantastic save to deny substitute Ricardo Fuller in the 69th minute.

The former Portsmouth striker raced on to a long ball into the penalty area but Speroni narrowed the angle and dived to his left to block the shot.

Palace made a rare foray into the Stoke half in the 74th minute and Sinclair created a shooting opportunity but his effort flew into the side netting.

Stoke's pressure eventually paid off in the 84th minute when Whelan pulled a goal back.

The midfielder found space outside the penalty and struck a powerful right-footed shot which beat the dive of Speroni and flew into the top-right corner of the net.

Stoke pressed for an equaliser but the Palace defence were not to be breached for a second time and held on to claim maximum points.

Teams

Stoke Nash, Griffin, Riggott, Cort, Pugh, Whelan, Delap,Pearson (Bothroyd 77), Cresswell, Sidibe (Fuller 56), Ameobi.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Shawcross, Dickinson.

Goals: Whelan 85.

Crystal Palace Speroni, Lawrence, Hudson, Fonte, Hill,Sinclair (Fletcher 89), Soares (Scannell 89), Watson, Derry,Moses (Reid 56), Morrison.

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Butterfield.

Booked: Hudson, Fletcher.

Goals: Soares 23, Fonte 45.

Att: 15,756

Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).