November 13 2010

Darren Ambrose

Two goals from Darren Ambrose helped shift Crystal Palace off the foot of the table with a 2-0 win over Coventry.

Palace's talisman brought his tally to four goals for the season with a free-kick and penalty to bring a much-needed three points.

Coventry made the early running with striker Marlon King forcing Julian Speroni into an impressive save the Palace keeper blocked a Gary McSheffrey header.

Lukas Jutkiewicz put McSheffrey's cross narrowly wide, while Ambrose had a decent strike on goal for the Londoners.

King had another chance before Palace got their noses in front in the 33rd minute after City keeper Keiren Westwood picked up McSheffrey's back pass on the edge of his six yard box.

Palace were awarded the free-kick and with every Coventry player on the goal-line, James Vaughan squared the ball to Ambrose who blasted it into the back of the net.

Speroni kept Palace in the game with a world class one-handed stop to keep out Lee Carsley's free header.

The hosts then stretched their lead in the 54th minute when Richard Wood fouled Vaughan in the area and Ambrose put away the resulting spot kick.

Palace right-back Nathaniel Clyne almost got a third after a fine run but sent his shot wide of the goal.

Palace: Speroni, Clyne, McCarthy, Davis (Gardner 25), Wright, Ambrose (N'Diaye 85), Marrow, Garvan, Danns, Vaughan (Counago 79), Zaha.

Not Used: Price, Cadogan, Djilali, Obika.

Coventry: Westwood, Keogh, Wood, McPake, Cranie (O'Donovan 82),Baker (Gunnarsson 65), Doyle, Carsley, McSheffrey, Jutkiewicz, King (Eastwood 71).

Not Used: Ireland, Clarke, Cameron, Thomas.

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20010/11 match reports

2009/10 squad stats

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