Patrick Vieira makes special promise to Roy Hodgson as Crystal Palace take on Watford

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira says Roy Hodgson will always be part of the fabric of Palace because of the role he’s played in the club in recent years.

The Eagles could relegate the Hornets this afternoon  in the Premier League with Hodgson’s side needing to win the rest of their remaining games and hope that other results go their way to stay up.

It’s been a tough few years for Watford as relegation this season is more of when rather than if at the moment, with the entire squad looking flat and resigned to their fate.

Roy Hodgson though made an emotional return to Selhurst, his home since 2017 and it was under him that the club cemented their Premier League status and allowed Vieira to now come in to try and add flair, energy and ambition to the squad.

Despite the pickle Watford are in, Selhurst gave Roy a brilliant reception with Blue and Red balloons up in the air and all Palace players shaking hands with their former boss.

There was even a warm embrace between James McArthur and his former boss and manager Patrick Vieira promised he would have wine with Hodgson after the game.

The Crystal Palace boss said to reporters ahead of the game: “I speak to Roy and I can say to you that we will have wine after the game, definitely we would have wine.

“He will always be a part of this club’s history because of what he’s done and I have no doubts that he will have a great welcome here.”

Palace finished last season on 44 points, if they can get all three points which will relegate Watford, they would have equalled their points tally from last season with three games to spare.