November 23 2008

Action

How the Crystal Palace players rated in this fine home win.

Speroni 8

Nothing he could do about either goal really but he made one fantastic save in the second half at a key moment. His performances are that consistent that it is a real worry that someone might come in for him in the near future. Is obviously playing with a slight muscle injury at the moment, let's hope this can be managed and treated to keep Jules in the side.

Clyne 8

Defensively superb, a fantastic reader of the game for someone his age. Offers a good outlet going forward but perhaps he is a little apprehensive up the pitch occasionally - which will improve with experience. Occasionally a little slow to get back into position but that is only down to his age and he has the pace to recover. McIndoe can be a real threat and probably expected to get the upper hand in this battle but Clyne was dominant all game and deserves to stay in the side. Excellent prospect.

Hill 7

Caught out for pace a few times (which is Clint's weakness) but showed exactly how correct defensive positioning and timing can manage that problem. He has had a couple of dodgy games this season but he is back to his best at the moment. Great for him to captain the side on his 50th appearence and he is vital for us in terms of organisation and motivation.

McCarthy 8

I thought McCarthy had one of his best games. On more than one occasion he made some great challenges at key moments. The sort of challenges that Fonte makes on a regular basis, so the two seem to be complementing each other superbly at the moment. Very impressed overall with this signing.

Fonte 8

Was superb in most of what he did today and deserved his goal. Marked down for his part in their second goal because not only was the kick poor, but he was coming from deep so could be expected, by his standards, to have dealt with Maynard a lot better. The only real negative for him today and he really is a class player.

Watson 7

Did a lot of the basic tackling and chasing that Derry does, which would have gone unnoticed by some. Did the job extremely well and still found time to get involved further up the pitch. Unfortunately his set-pieces were erratic today, but having Oster in the side took the pressure off that situation. Certainly showed that we can rely on him to fill the defensive midfield position where the need be and deserves a lot of credit for battling so hard today.

Oster 7

Impressive. Generally speaking he seems to coast slightly, taking on or two touches before laying the ball off but has been much more involved playing centrally (as is required by the position) , although he switched to the right regularly in what has become a fluid formation from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 and back (so far as I can tell, must be nightmare for the opposition to work out when I can't tell what the hell is going on at times) . At his best, he has top division quality and the more we see it, the more likely he will get a new deal (and deserve it) . Great finish for the goal and his corner for Fonte's header was top class.

Carle 7

Was well up for the battle and this was something of a return to form after his absence from the side. Plenty of running and tackling and when he was on the ball he was always looking to create something or link some play together. Was integral in a very impressive midfield - can Derry get back in?

Ifill 7

Hopefully his injury is not too serious. His workrate was absolutely top-notch and his role in levering the defender away to give Scannell space to shoot was key in the first goal. The more he has played, the more his body seems to have been catching up with his brain, so being forced to come off just after half time will be a real blow.

Scannell 9

Hard for him to play any better, but he had a quiet spell for 10 minutes in the first half so I'll resist the 10/10. I recall suggesting that his performance in the 2nd leg against Bristol City last season had the hallmarks of an AJ type display - pace, neat interplay, hard work and an eye for goal. The same applied today. Sean has all the attributes to play the game in the same way and, if anything, is a lot more skillful on the ball. Absolutely top performance from him, easily his best in a Palace shirt. Looked every bit the player he promised last year and has a vital role to play for us on this form. Worked very well with Kuqi.

Beattie 8

Great professional display. Plenty of hard work, a clinical finish and determination to do well wherever he was on the pitch. Played especially well on the left in the second half and is so demanding of himself and others that it really must be a boost to have him in the side. Seems to be really enjoying himself at times and would love him stay if there was any way we could afford it.

Subs

Kuqi 8

Another top cameo from the flying Finn. Was a total menace for the City defence from the second he was on the pitch and at times was totally unplayable. They just couldn't keep the ball away from him and everything he did seemed to come off. He might not look the most graceful of players but he is effective when he plays to his strengths and there's a fair amount of skill there too when required - but that isn't his game. The commitment and drive he is showing now is all we can ask of him and he has gone a long way to putting the the problems he has had behind him. Even his most harsh critics will have to acknowledge he is playing a big role for the club now. I'm delighted for him.

Ertl 6

Solid and hard-working. I would suggest it looks from these brief apprarences that Johnny is getting used to pace of the game and I am sure he will have a part to play in the future.

Moses

3 minutes - not enough time to do anything, but he will get his chance again, particularly if Ifill is out. Warnock has shown with Scannell that there is a time to play the youngsters and a time to take them out of the side to get the best out of them.

Ratings by Chris Hambling.

Do you agree? Rate the players' performance here