April 18 2009

Shefki Kuqi

Ten-man Crystal Palace returned to winning form to beat Derby County 1-0.

After six games without a victory, Neil Warnock's side got maximum points despite having Victor Moses sent off to virtually guarantee their Championship status.

Nick Carle found himself in the referee's book after a rash tackle on Robbie Savage inside the opening 15 seconds in what proved to be a lacklustre first half.

Kris Commons looked a threat for the visiting side, while Rob Hulse tested Julian Speroni with a useful shot.

In the second period Commons went close with a chip, then Speroni was forced to push out his 25-yard drive at full stretch for a corner after 55 minutes.

Derby almost took the lead moments later as Hulse climbed above the Palace defence from a corner to head against the bar and the ball bounced on the line before being cleared away.

Moses, who picked up a booking in the first half for diving, was shown another yellow on the hour mark for what looked like a good tackle on Mile Sterjovski and was sent off.

The red card galvanised Palace who stepped up a gear and went in front three minutes later. Clint Hill powered a header into the edge of the box and as Derby failed to clear, Kuqi lobbed keeper Stephen Bywater to score.

Substitute striker Emanuel Villa got the ball in the net for Derby but it was ruled out for offside as the Rams pressed for an equaliser. And inside stoppage time, an unmarked Hulse somehow volley wide with the goal at his mercy.

Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Lawrence, McCarthy, Hill, Moses, Carle, Ertl, Rui Fonte (Comley 66), Kuqi, Stokes.

Not Used: Jose Fonte, Scowcroft, Hills, Cadogan.

Derby: Bywater, Connolly, Todd, Albrechtsen, Nyatanga, Sterjovski (Villa 76), Savage, Pearson (Eustace 72), Teale, Commons (Bannan 85), Hulse.

Not Used: Price, Beardsley.

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