December 6 2008

Paddy McCarthy

Crystal Palace moved to within two points of the play-offs with a 2-1 win away to Derby County.

Centre half Paddy McCarthy gave Palace a dream start by putting his side ahead after just three minutes with a contender for goal of the season.

Derby cleared a Ben Watson free-kick as far as McCarthy on the halfway line and the Irishman whacked a vicious shot into the top corner from all of 40 yards.

The Rams equalised in controversial fashion four minutes before half-time through on-loan Charlton player Luke Varney.

Przemyslaw Kazmierczak's cross into the box saw Varney jump into Eagles keeper Julian Speroni with a header, and as the ball bounced towards the empty net, it was hacked clear by a defender but the linesman awarded a goal.

The Palace players were furious a foul had not been given against Varney for his challenge on Speroni and believe the ball had not crossed the goal line.

At the start of the second period, Nathan Ellington planted a header wide of the goal from Kazmierczak's near post cross.

Then Shefki Kuqi, back in the Eagles' starting line-up, twice went close before putting the Londoners back in front on 61 minutes.

Craig Beattie appeared to be in an offside position when he collected the ball on the left and he delivered a perfect cross for Kuqi to slot home from six yards out.

Beattie had a good chance to extend the lead but Palace inflicted Derby's first home defeat since August with a fine victory.

Derby: Carroll, Connolly, Tomkins, Powell, Stewart, Barazite (Hulse 64), Addison, Kazmierczak, Commons (Zadkovich 73), Ellington (Villa 73), Varney.

Not Used: Bywater, Albrechtsen.

Palace: Speroni, Clyne, McCarthy, Fonte, Hill, Oster, Watson, Carle (Derry 70), Scannell (Butterfield 90), Kuqi (Lee 81), Beattie.

Not Used: Moses, Griffit.

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