October 18 2008

Ben Watson

A Ben Watson brace helped Crystal Palace overcome Barnsley with ease 3-0 at Selhurst Park.

Shefki Kuqi, on as a late substitute, notched the other goal to give Palace their third straight victory.

Right-back Nathaniel Clyne, 17, was given his first team debut by manager Neil Warnock and Palace dominated right from the first whistle.

Nick Carle and Craig Beattie went close with chances before the Eagles got their noses in front after 25 minutes with a penalty.

Julian Speroni's huge kick upfield saw Victor Moses speed onto it and the England U19 star out-paced Tykes defenders Rob Kozluk and Jamal Campbell-Ryce but was brought down by keeper Heinz Muller. Ben Watson tucked away the penalty with a cool low finish into the bottom left corner.

Beattie nodded over the bar as the hosts ended the half in total control of the game.

Barnsley came out stronger for the second period with Campbell-Ryce, Rigters and Anderson trying their luck with attempts on Speroni's goal.

But on the hour mark, Watson doubled the lead with a close-range finish from Carle's cut back on the left side of the byline.

Muller then made a stunning block to keep out Clint Hill's effort but he could not stop Kuqi from netting his second goal of the season in the 82nd minute.

Another massive clearance from Julian Speroni saw the Finland striker shrug aside defender Stephen Foster and he lobbed the onrushing Muller to score.

Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Lawrence, Fonte, Hill, Derry (Oster 76), Carle, Watson, Moses, Ifill (Kuqi 74), Beattie (Ertl 86).

Not Used: Scannell, Danns.

Barnsley: Muller, Hassell (Van Homoet 66), Foster, Guedes, Kozluk, Campbell-Ryce, De Silva, Leon (Macken 68), Devaney, Hume, Rigters (Odejayi 73).

Not Used: Steele, Colace.

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