Others claim plaudits but James McArthur is unsung hero at Crystal Palace

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Crystal Palace thumped Leicester City 4-1 at the King Power Stadium on Saturday to enhance their Premier League survival chances.

The Eagles are now six unbeaten in all competitions and moved six points clear of the relegation zone.

Goals from Michy Batshuayi, Luka Milivojević and a brace from Wilfried Zaha completed the emphatic rout for Roy Hodgson’s team.

It is another Eagles performer who is quietly going about his business but is becoming a vitally important cog in Hodgson’s engine room.

James McArthur has played in every single league game for Palace this season.

The 31-year-old is a dependable figure and capped a fine performance at the weekend with two assists.

A Scotland international, McArthur isn’t perhaps the most glamorous name on the Palace team-sheet but he thoroughly deserves plaudits.

The likes of Zaha, Wan-Bissaka and Andros Townsend have taken the praise for Palace, but McArthur’s calming influence allows the attacking talent the freedom to get forward.

At the King Power Stadium, he worked superbly well in a midfield three with Milivojević and Jeffrey Schlupp.

McArthur is vastly underrated and his five assists this season highlight what he is capable of.

Palace will need players like McArthur to continue stepping up each week if they are to keep climbing the table.