October 1 2008

Action

Crystal Palace recorded a fine win over neighbours Charlton and here's how the lads rated.

Speroni 8

Not the busiest of nights for Julian but he deserved the clean sheet and made a key save in first half where he did well not only to get to the ball, but to divert it into a safe area. Slight aberration during a 5 minute panic for the team but recovered well. Destined for the top division, let's hope it's with us.

Butterfield 9 MOM

Truly vintage display from Danny. He gets a lot of stick for his defending at times but, barring a couple of moments of indecision, he was faultless. Moreover, the longer the game went on, the better he looked. He began defending in such an assured way I had to look twice to make sure it was him.

Really classy stuff and got heavily involved all over the pitch. If he can produce this sort of form on a regular basis then we will rocket up the table. He was well supported by Ifill in the first half and Derry & Watson in the 2nd half where possible but was often left with 2 players to defend against and managed perfectly well. Well done Danny.

Hill 8

He's never going to be a cultured player but he seems to have shrugged off the average form in the last couple of games. He was excellent in the ait today, which was a help with Charlton unexpectedly hitting a lot of high-balls. He also looked very assured on the deck with his distribution looking a lot neater. I suspect this was down to the amount of space Charlton allowed us (earned from our hard work) as much as anything but Hill was key in keeping that clean sheet.

Fonte 8

One minor criticism where he slightly misjudged a header and ended up flicking it on to a Charlton player (Varney I think) but other than that he was typically brilliant. Reads the game so well it seems almost effortless from him and looks to be forming an excellent partnership with McCarthy.

McCarthy 8

Well up for the fight and, although he fouled a lot (most of which he got away with) we are starting to see him bed in very well. I can certainly understand why we signed him and think he will get stronger with every game.

Derry 8

Terrific work-rate, a real captain's display. From the moment he started the game by running up to the Holmesdale and demanding we raise the noise I knew that there was no chance he would be anything other than his best today.

He fought all game long and managed to get on the ball a fair amount too and spread play. Some of the efforts where he sprinted to get back and support the defence were truly inspiring and raised the game of those around him. He is at his best when he leads by example.

Watson 8

Close to Man of the Match in my view. I thought it was the hardest I have ever seen Ben work for the team and certainly shut me up from doubting if he could be 100% committed, even if he wanted to be. He was at the heart of our best football but also did the nasty stuff really well. Better than he ever has. When he goes, someone is getting a seriously improved player.

CARLe 7

Terrier-like in the midfield but seemed to have been singled out for some close attention so a lot of his work was in winning the ball back and being the link in passing moves. A couple of excellent runs and a few occasions where he could have passed earlier. Is settling well and improving all the time. Nearly got an 8!

Moses 8

Good first half, Excellent 2nd half when he seemed to realise how easily he could beat their defenders. Seems to have started to get to grips with his role and it has dawned on him that he can take up some natural striking positions on a fairly regular basis. He's flying and it'll take more than 2 players on him to stop him now. Great performance.

Ifill 7

Didn't really seem to go how he wanted it today but some occasional decent play and he got through a huge amount of work. Defended from the front and won the ball back on countless occasions. People seem to have written him off, even now, but a lot of his work today would have gone relatively unnoticed as he was unselfish. Linked play together and did what he was required. Can be a lot better but the 7 is for the effort.

Beattie 7

I thought he looked sluggish at first and a little unwilling to chase the ball down (we were spoilt in that sense by AJ and every striker since seems lazy in comparison). Showed his class when it mattered and led the line well.Still looks like he could do with a couple more games to get match fit.

Subs:

Kuqi 6

Did well to threaten in the time he was on but I am not sure how good an idea it is to play him at home right now. Did OK overall.

FLETCHER 6

Helped to calm things down and see out the win.

Scannell 6

No time to do anything, 6 for being there!

Manager

Warnock 9

Other than picking Kuqi, perfect. The team were as they should be and the subs were made at exactly the right time. Some wanted us to go more attacking but we wouldn't have seen the game out so comfortably if we hadn't countered their change in formation. It's clicking for Neil and the team right now. Bring on Forest!

Ratings by Chris Hambling.

Do you agree? Rate the players' performance here