Pardew: Premier League big boys will bounce back

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew is expecting a response from the Premier League's big teams sooner rather than later in a season of unprecedented upsets.

Pardew will be hoping that response is delayed at least another week as Palace welcome title holders Chelsea to Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Chelsea have endured a slow start to the season, resulting in the departure of club's most successful manager Jose Mourinho, but Pardew feels they can still push for a top-six finish.

"For Chelsea, it is a freak year which I don't think is going to happen again," Pardew told a news conference.

"I think they are going to find it hard to get into the top six, but they will push."

Manchester United have also struggled this season, with under-fire manager Louis van Gaal spanning eight matches without a win in all competitions prior to Saturday's 2-1 victory against Swansea City.

"It's a season that's thrown up a few surprises, but the top clubs will react," Pardew added.

"Don't think [United and Chelsea] are just going to say 'OK' and roll over. We will drive them to get better.

"At the moment the top clubs, apart from Arsenal, who have come through the process and are on an even keel, are searching on how to deal with the up-and-coming stars while running a Champions League campaign. It is proving very difficult for them."

But Pardew feels the struggles of the big clubs have offered teams such as Palace a unique opportunity to close the gap on the Premier League elite.

"Suddenly the opportunity has come to get past them and, because we have been able to go out and buy better players, we can compete," Pardew said.

"It hasn't totally happened yet, but the opportunity is there. We have definitely upped our game."