August 24 2013

Marouane Chamakh (Photo: Andy Roberts)

Crystal Palace allowed Stoke City to come back and claim a 2-1 win at the Britannia Stadium.

Marouane Chamakh put the Eagles in front at the break with his first Palace goal but Stoke netted two quick-fire goals after half-time to win.

The Potters fashioned the first chance with Charlie Adam shot from distance and early pressure with a succession of corners.

But Palace got firmly back in the game as Dwight Gayle warmed Asmir Begovic's hands with a shot. Then Ian Holloway's side felt they should have been awarded a penalty after Joel Ward was shoved in the box by Matthew Etherington.

Stoke almost got an instant equaliser as Peter Crouch's header hit the corner of the bar and post and Julian Speroni was able to push out.

Just past the half hour mark, Palace took the lead as Chamakh chased onto Damien Delaney's long ball, shrugged off Ryan Shawcross and cut inside Robert Huth before firing in.

Crouch nodded over for the hosts but Palace finished the half stronger with Dean Moxey driving inches past the post and Jose Campana curling a free-kick just above the bar.

Stoke emerged from half-time a different side as Crouch, Steven Nzonzi and Jon Walters wasted decent chances.

And on 58 minutes they were on terms when Crouch headed down to Adam and the midfielder had time and space to sweep into the net.

Then just four minutes later, Shawcross capitalised as Palace failed to clear their lines by rifling a close-range shot past Speroni.

Begovic kept out a Jason Puncheon strike that almost squirmed over the line and Nzonzi almost put the game out of Palace's reach with a thunderbolt that smacked against the post.

Despite half chances from substitute Kevin Phillips and Dwight Gayle near the end, Palace could not add another goal.

Stoke: Begovic, Cameron Shawcross, Huth, Pieters; Nzonzi, Wilson, Walters, Adam (Whelan 75), Etherington (Pennant 68), Crouch (Jones 86).

Not used: Sorensen, Muniesa, Wilkinson, Jerome.

Palace: Speroni, Ward, Gabbidon, Delaney, Moxey, Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Gayle, Campana (Williams 64), Puncheon (Phillips 75), Chamakh (Garven 64).

Not used: Alexander, Dobbie, Wilbraham, Ramage.

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