October 4 2008

Shefki Kuqi

Shefki Kuqi netted as Crystal Palace won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest.

Kuqi was told he no longer had a future at the club after inept displays and gesturing to the Palace fans last season.

But he added gloss to the scoreline with his first Palace goal since April 2007 after Paul Ifill had given the visitors a dream start after four minutes.

Ben Watson's free-kick caused panic in the Forest penalty area and Ifill drove into the net with a fine strike from the edge of the box for his second of the season.

Seconds later, Julian Bennett almost drew Forest level with a header from Chris Cohen's corner that hit the top of the crossbar.

Forest keeper Paul Smith then denied Watson's long range effort with a good block, while Bennett diverted another Cohen corner off target.

Before the break, Julian Speroni was called into action to palm Bennett's superb strike round the post after Guy Moussi went close for the home side.

Bennett and Garath McCleary had opportunities to score as Forest pushed for an equaliser in the second period.

Substitute Kuqi should have made the game safe but fired straight at Smith after an excellent run and shot from Ifill landed at his feet.

However, nine minutes from time he made ammends for that missed chance by tucking away his first goal of the season from 12 yards.

Craig Beattie and Watson could have added another but Palace wrapped up an important victory on the road.

Forest: Smith, Wilson, Morgan, Thornhill (Cole 60), Bennett, McCleary, Perch, Cohen, Moussi (Chambers 79), Martin (Davies 69), Tyson.

Not Used: Lynch, Breckin.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, McCarthy (Lawrence 36), Fonte, Hill, Derry, Watson, Carle (Danns 46), Ifill, Beattie, Moses (Kuqi 66).

Not Used: Scannell, Oster.

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