Payet scores again from free kick, Palace holds Hammers 2-2

LONDON (AP) — Dimitri Payet's latest stunning free kick wasn't enough to earn 10-man West Ham a victory in its pursuit of Champions League football next season as Crystal Palace scored late to earn a 2-2 draw in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Payet has scored from free kicks in three of his last 4 games

The result stalled West Ham's top-four ambitions, with the Hammers remaining fifth, 3 points behind Man City.

Palace started well with Damien Delaney's headed goal in the 15th.

West Ham then took charge, Manuel Lanzini scoring just three minutes later, followed by a sublime Payet free kick just before halftime.

The game turned when West Ham was reduced to 10 men, Cheikhou Kouyate receiving a red card for a foul on Gayle in the 67th minute. Gayle then leveled eight minutes later with a strike from 12 meters out.

Crystal Palace was still without a win this year.

Things began brightly for Crystal Palace, with Delaney's header giving its fans hope that it could end its baron run in 2016. Moments later, however, Lanzini struck at the near post.

It was then Payet who took center-stage. A perfect 22-meter free kick which dipped beautifully into the top corner past Wayne Hennessey gave West Ham the lead, highlighting the skill that the Frenchman has shown this season.

Payet's hard work was undone when Mark Clattenburg judged Kouyate's challenge on Gayle to be worthy of a straight red card, and Gayle went on to equalize.