Southampton's Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring the winning goal during the English Premier League match against Crystal Palace, at St Mary's stadium in Southampton, yesterday. - AP photos

SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP):

Sadio Mane grabbed a late winner for Southampton in a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League yesterday, boosting the south-coast side's chances of securing European football for next season.

Southampton's three-match winless run ended when the Senegal forward pounced from close range in the 83rd minute, chipping Julian Speroni after the Palace goalkeeper failed to hold a shot from James Ward-Prowse. It was Southampton's first goal in more than six hours.

The win provisionally lifted Ronald Koeman's team above Liverpool to fifth and within a point of Manchester United, which occupies the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot.

Palace's away record has been strong under new manager Alan Pardew and the visitors created the better chances before the goal, with Wilfried Zaha hitting the post.