Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward is delighted with their start to the season.

The Eagles are in eighth place and just three points off top spot. A start to the season that will no doubt be pleasing Ward and his teammates.

“For us as a squad, we can only look up," Ward told the club's website. “We need to look forward and make sure that we give ourselves the best chance of pushing into that top-half of the table... where we believe we should be.

“I think the beauty of the Premier League is that you go through spells. There's always gonna be times when you're picking up results or you get on a bit of a run and there's times when things are difficult.

“Over the years we've seen the quality of the Premier League increase so much and if there is a mistake then you're punished for that mistake, and I think that's what sets the Premier League apart."