January 12 2008

James Scowcroft

Crystal Palace moved into the play-off positions after a whopping 3-0 win at Wolves.

Clinton Morrison, Sean Scannell and James Scowcroft netted the goals as in-form Palace make it 14 league matches unbeaten.

Manager Neil Warnock handed defender John Halls his Eagles debut after joining on loan from Reading this week and there were re-calls for Tom Soares and Shaun Derry.

The Eagles threatened first with Scowcroft forcing Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey to tip his header over the bar, while Stephen Ward nodded wide for the hosts.

And it was Palace who got their noses in front through Morrison after 22 minutes. Ben Watson's free-kick into the box was not cleared by the Wolves defence and Morrison was on hand to fire into the bottom corner his 12th of the season.

Three minutes into the second period, Scannell grabbed his second goal of the season to double Palace's lead. Morrison saw his shot from Halls' cross saved by Hennessey and 17-year-old Scannell swept in the rebound.

Although Kevin Foley, Andy Keogh and Freddy Eastwood had chances to pull a goal back for the Midlanders, Scowcroft made the points safe with a magnificent volleyed third goal with 25 minutes to go - his seventh this campaign.

Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Foley, Darren Ward, Collins, Gray, Gibson (Jarvis 42), Henry, Potter, Stephen Ward (Eastwood 52), Bothroyd, Ebanks-Blake (Keogh 52).

Not Used: Ikeme, Edwards.

Palace: Speroni, Halls, Hudson, Lawrence, Hill (Hills 66), Watson, Soares, Derry (Moses 84), Scowcroft, Scannell (Grabban 68), Morrison.

Not Used: Freedman, Fletcher.