February 3 2007

Leon Cort

Palace disposed of Ipswich 2-0, winning with goals in each half from Leon Cort and Paul Ifill, reports Peter Gillman.

Palace finished on ten men after Tom Soares was sent off but even then Ipswich hardly posed a threat.

There was little to cheer in a dour opening half-hour. Then on 32 minutes Butterfield swung in a deep cross from the right following a Palace corner and Cort was there to head back across goal into the corner of the net.

Ifill added the second six minutes after the break. Shefti Kuqi knocked a pass into the area where Ifill collected the ball and slotted his shot past Ipswich keeper Price.

Ipswich’s best chance came on 62 minutes when Walters turned in the box but placed his shot wide of both Kiraly and the right-hand post.

Palace were pressing now and Cort had a second goal-bound header saved on the line. Carl Fletcher tried one of his 30-yard blasters which was well saved. On 71 minutes Kuqi broke clear in the area but his shot was turned past the post.

Moments later, there was a clash in the middle of the pitch between Soares and Ipswich’s O’Callaghan. Players crowded round and both men were booked.

Just three minutes later Soares missed the ball as he attempted a sliding tackle on Harding. He collected what looked like a straight red card from referee Atkinson.

Although Ipswich tried to get back into the game, Palace played out the remaining 15 minutes without alarm.

Palace: Kiraly; Butterfield, Cort, Hudson, Lawrence; Soares, Fletcher, Kennedy (Watson 72), Ifill; Freedman (Borrowdale 81), Kuqi (Scowcroft 86). .

Subs not used: Speroni, Morrison.

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