May 12 2014

Tony Pulis

Crystal Palace's Tony Pulis has been named LMA Premier League Manager of the Year.

Pulis, 56, beat off competition from Manchester City's Manuel Pellegrini and Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers, who was the hot favourite, to claim the prize.

The top flight bosses voted for Pulis at the prestigious League Manager's Association awards ceremony after his incredible season with Palace.

On receiving the award, Pulis said: "We finished sixth in the Championship last season and 11th in the Premier League this season. That's a 15 place jump!

"But it's not just about me. It's about Steve Parish (chairman) and three other directors, the supporters and the players."

Pulis beat the odds by taking the relegation-bound Eagles out of the Premier League's bottom three to a remarkable 11th place finish.

Palace have picked up just five points fewer than Manchester United since Pulis took charge in November.

The great escape was even more amazing as Palace have the lowest budget in the top flight - and it's the first time an Eagles chief has ever won it.