September 3 2007

Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace lost their first home game of the season as Charlton won the South London derby by 1-0, writes Simon Pophale.

Svetoslav Todorov did the damage in the 74th minute, as LEON CORT and Julian Speroni hesitated following a long ball and Todorov looped the ball over the advancing Argentine to win the match.

Following the closure of the transfer window, both managers paraded new signings. Alan Pardew, afforded a warm reception from both sets of fans, started with Danny Mills at left back while Peter Taylor had on-loan striker Besian Idirizaj on the bench.

Paul Dickov made an appearance at half-time, as he signed too late to take part for this game.

Being a local derby, the match started at a frenetic pace. Both sets of players were up for it and Scowcroft put a header wide in the 2nd minute.

With both sides getting early corners, Scowcroft again could have put Palace into the lead when his header was pushed around the post by Nicky Weaver.

Darren Ambrose and Andy Reid were pulling the strings in midfield and Reid nearly set up Chris Iwelumo with a trademark cross. Iwelumo, playing on his own up front, then narrowly shot over on 23 minutes following a corner, the ball just touching the bar.

Despite Charlton imposing themselves, we battled back into the match and Speroni was not troubled for the rest of the half, as Charlton could only manage a couple of long range efforts which were off target.

Chances were at a premium and although we did not create too many clear cut chances, a lot of the decisions from referee Miller were going Charltons way, much to the anger of the home crowd. Morrison was denied a penalty after Jonathan Fortune collided with him in the box as the half drew to a close.

The 2nd half started in a similar manner, but with still few chances being created Taylor brought on Paul Ifill and his first contribution was to send a stinging shot wide on 62 minutes. Zheng Zyi then broke and crossed for Iwelumo who again put the ball wide from close range.

Clinton Morrison, who is chasing his 100th goal, was substituted after never really looking like scoring and Besian Idrizaj nearly got a fairy-tale equaliser as his header was saved by Weaver.

As time ebbed away Charlton could have added a second goal, as Zyi sent Iwelumo though in added time with only Speroni to beat, yet this time the Palace keeper blocked the effort.

One goal was only ever going to be enough and after the disappointment of the defeat to Ipswich last week, this match was not going to offer any solace after Todorovs’ strike.

At the final whistle, it was only the away support of the 18,556 crowd that were satisified with the result. With now 2 weeks before the next match, Taylor will have to wait to ensure that Palace do not make it 3 defeats in a row.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, Craig, Hudson, CORT, Hughes (Ifill 56), Fletcher (Martin 79), Kennedy, Soares, Morrison (Idrizaj 71), Scowcroft Subs not used, Flinders, Fonte.