Crystal Palace 2 - 1 Cardiff City

Palace ended their 7 match winless run at Selhurst this afternoon with victory over a spirited Cardiff side. Goals from Wayne Routledge, just before half time and Neil Shipperley two minutes after the break ensured that the pressure eased on under fire boss Steve Kember. Palace produced their best performance of the season, and their best for a number of seasons today. Every player played at the peak of his performance and some of the football was a delight to watch. Palace seemed to have an outlet no matter who had the ball. Tommy Black, back from suspension, terrorised former Arsenal full back Rhys Weston, turning him inside out every time he had the ball, and Neil Shipperley led the line with power and intelligence. At the back we never looked in any trouble at all with Hayden Mullins in outstanding form. Wayne Routledge seemed to relish the opportunity of playing just off the front two and saw a lot more of the ball as a result. The only threat came from the superb Graham Kavanagh, who almost equalised just before the break with a great 20 yard free kick that whistled just wide of Berthelin's left hand post. Kavanagh brought the visiting supporters to their feet, and even the Palace supporters applauded, when he exchanged passes with Robert Earnshaw and without breaking stride rifled a brilliant shot into the roof of the net. A truly wonderful effort in a game full of good football. The only sour notes were the needless sendings off of Willie Boland for a crude hack on Routledge and Andy Campbell for swinging his arm and thumping Shaun Derry on the side of the head.
An excellent afternoon's entertainment.

Berthelin 8
Fleming 8
Mullins 9
Powell 8
Butterfield 8
Derry 8
Hughes 9
Black 8
Routledge 8
Freedman 8
Shipperley 9