Magical Murray Blasts Hat-trick as Dragons Pay Penalties for Bluebirds Extinction!

Freedman rested Owen Garvan replacing him with summer signing Andre Moritz with Jonathan Williams dropping to the bench to be replaced by Yannick Bolassi. Darcy Blake also returned with Dean Moxey on the bench. This allowed Palace’s wing play so expertly executed against Forest that showed such attacking intent to continue. It turned out to be quite a game with a lot of the rivalry fostered by four matches last season against Cardiff simmering in the background. Challenges were flying in early doors and Palace came out on the front foot yet they proved to again be vulnerable at the back.

 The good intentions to keep Cardiff quiet early on seemed to be undone and the game gone after a quarter of an hour when for all Palace’s endeavour and energy given to them by the marauding free role taken up by Moritz came to nothing when two quick goals for Cardiff put them in complete control. The first goal happened when a deflected Bellamy shot broke to Gunnarson who drifted through the centre of the defence and unaffected by the challenge from the injured Peter Ramage slotted the ball past Julian Speroni. Within two minutes and before Ramage could be replaced Don Cowie turned on the edge of the box rifling the ball into the top corner past Speroni putting Cardiff 2 – 0 up. In the blink of an eye the Dragons had roared and Cardiff were in control at this point there was no sign of what was to come, because the game was Cardiff’s to throw away.

After the second goal the injured Peter Ramage was replaced by Joel Ward who went to right back with Blake switching to centre back with Delaney and Parr continuing at left back. While reorganising Bellamy again broke forward for Cardiff and should have made it three it would only be at full time that the expense of that miss would become clear. Strangely beyond the setback of finding themselves undeservedly 2 – 0 behind Palace were on top in the game and dominating Cardiff and again Bolassi and Zaha provided the pace on the wing with Murray up front harrying to convert the chances. The team were set up in an attacking fashion. Now at two down they had nothing to lose the key was keeping going, and not giving up because this exciting adrenaline fuelled football would be our season so far encompassed in miniature.

A reflection of the rivalry between the sides was illustrated with time running out in the first half. Palace had a throw in and in front of the Cardiff City fans in a confident attempt to time waste the ball was bounced around the stand to waste time ensuring Cardiff went in with a two goal half time lead. As the throw in was taken with a spare ball the original ball was returned to the field. Quite funny if not also frustrating and childish especially when there was still 55 minutes left. What the Bluebird/Red Dragon faithful did not consider is what started in jest would be more damaging to their chances of winning the game when the boot is on the other foot.

The second half really did encapsulate the unpredictability of the Crystal Palace season so far in a mere 45 minutes.  Against Forest and Watford the team were comfortable only to take their foot off the accelerator and drop points because they lost concentration. Against Sheffield Wednesday when all seemed lost and decisions were going against them Palace got riled and roared to an unexpected victory. Against Cardiff Palace dominated the match yet through misfortune found themselves two down at half time almost with nothing to play for. Again they came roaring back, Murray and Zaha showing all their destructive combination play orchestrated by Moritz in midfield with devastating consequences for Cardiff’s chances. It was foolish of Cardiff to waste time prematurely.

On 52 minutes Glenn Murray started a magical half hour for Palace. Brazilian magician Moritz organised a free kick on the edge of the penalty area following a Bolassi surge. The free kick spun over the bar but was deflected off an arm in the wall and Palace had a penalty. Slotted away nicely by Murray Palace were back in the game. Encouraged Palace surged forward, 10 minutes later pressure told, Murray challenged for a ball with Cardiff keeper Marshall following a wonderful lob pass to the edge of the box by Moritz, poking the ball towards goal the spin taking it into an empty net for the equaliser beyond the despairing lunge of the last defender. 2 – 2! Palace were back from the brink in a recovery reflecting the unpredictable nature of the season so far as it appears Palace can win from losing positions as well as lose from winning positions under Freedman in this exciting new 2012/13 campaign.

Selhurst was buzzing pandemonium ensued around the ground Cardiff had thrown it away. On 72 minutes the game was won, a lunging challenge on Jonny Parr won a second penalty for Palace allowing Murray to complete a magical hat-trick. Cardiff were hit by a sucker punch, the ball went for a Cardiff goal kick in front of the Holmesdale Road End the ball disappeared and taken in good humour it returned to the pitch as the spare ball was kicked into play. The boot was on the other foot and time was Palace’s to waste. Ironic two penalties made the difference after the shootout defeat in the semi final last season. A modicum of satisfaction was enjoyed at Cardiff’s expense as Palace continue to develop an attacking system based around high intensity and pace in what is developing into an exciting and unpredictable season.  

           

KG Shines Goal Scorers Light Through Red Mist of Forest Yet no Trees Get Torn Up in Draw!

Forests indiscipline during the second half probably cost them victory at Selhurst Park. At the start of the evening Freedman made three changes from the victory over Charlton at the Valley. Goal scoring hero KG Dikgacoi kept his place with Williams replacing Bolassi to allow for the systems of wingers to continue. Changes at the back meant Ward returned for Darcy Blake and Moxey come in for Parr at left back all of whom that dropped out started on the bench.

A cold autumnal night greeted the players and the atmosphere although fair with over 14,000 in attendance seemed slightly anticlimactic following as it did the night of colour and noise at the Valley so continental in fashion. The empty spaces in the Arthur Waite and the Main stand did not really help but a full and noisy Holmesdale Road end more than made up for this. ‘NUMBER ONE in SOUTH LONDON’ ringing around the ground. Indeed for the first time this season Palace seemed comfortable in their home surroundings intent on making the cold midweek South London environment play out to their advantage old school style. Similar to the Neil Warnock era or going back even further Trevor Francis’s period in charge.

Palace started on fire KG and Mile Jedinak really got to grips with the midfield allowing Zaha and Williams to attack with pace down the flanks fizzing balls across the box for Murray to nearly connect with. The South African KG Dikgacoi would again have a busy night. His status already raised to hero thanks to his goal against Charlton would be raised to goal machine by notching his fourth goal of the season already. In fact he has nearly matched his entire tally of the previous campaign, the only downside he may wake up a headache more on that later.

The referee set the tone for the match early on, allowing challenges slide from both sides certainly worthy of a free kick if not a card. In the second half this early leniency seemed to frustrate and get to forest as the referee tightened up the discipline and gave more decisions. I noticed from the stand at half time forest players talking to the referee before the start of the second half obviously annoyed at something. Within fifeteen minutes this would transpire to a total loss of discipline as on 63 minutes Adlene Guedioura saw red for retaliating at KGs head out of frustration over not getting a free kick. KG would later go off with a concussion but not before again putting Palace into the lead.

On 50 minutes a beautifully curled trajectory on an Owen Garvan corner allowed the Jedi(nak) to pressurise the keeper, Camp, and leaping like a salmon at the back post KG headed the ball back past the goalkeeper and the ball nestled neatly low inside the far post. Guedioura’s red card should have been curtains for Forest and had Zaha scored off a Murray knock down it would have been. Despite a fantastic performance from Williams on the wing in his first start of the season and able support from Bolassi as a second half substitute for Williams Palace’s inability to convert another chance meant Forest were always in the game.

So it proved despite a good all round performance deserving of a victory Palace were pegged back. On 81 minutes Dexter Blackstock was played in off a slide rule pass from the edge of the area to beat the on rushing Speroni to the ball sliding it into an empty net. Fair credit to the Forest fans who had been expertly deployed en masse on coaches from Nottingham with almost military precision for a Tuesday night. The goal was greeted with relief rather than exuberant celebrations or that is how I picked it as I ear wigged Forest fans conversations as I left the cold but beautiful old ground behind me.

Palace were unfortunate not to win showing great attacking creativity with the addition of Bolassi and Williams to the squad a sign the manager is developing a system using wingers which was also deployed successfully in the match against Charlton. Although we did not win a good lesson key to all football games had been taken on board since Watford at Selhurst on opening day. Keep the door closed and if you are unfortunate enough not to win and for Palace’s endeavour they were unfortunate make sure you do not lose it and in this case palace more than deserved the point. Job done lads your learning! Well done!

The next game up is Cardiff City and defeat on penalties in the League Cup Semi Final still hurts hence the drop off in my writing post February 2012. I disappeared to an ice rock to gather my sorrows (Canada to visit mum and dad) and as we know the season tailed off. Now is a new season Cardiff now play in red and the Doog is building a new squad. Let us all hope I can put pen to paper on a resounding victory and performance as we put our blue days well and truly behind us!      

 

KG Shines as Palace Bring Touch of Continental Flair to the Circus Top that is the Valley!

A cold, crisp, early autumnal Friday night was given a real continental atmosphere from the terraces as an exuberant and passionate away support understood the importance of the first South London derby of the season. Palace’s first trip to the Valley since a 1 – 0 defeat in 2009 was lit up from the terraces with echoes of fire crackers and the pungent aroma of red and blue smoke that drifted across the sky, warming the cold night air. The message from the Palace support was clear they were up for the challenge.

The Palace team responded to the noise and colour coming from the terraces very much on the front foot and attacking from the off.  Palace made one change from the line up against Sheffield Wednesday with Kagisho Dikgacoi replacing Andre Moritz in midfield after recovering from injury after the international break. In the first ten minutes Garvan and Jedinak were commanding opening up space on the flanks for Bolassi and Zaha to torment Charlton. Palace’s degree of control was based on work rate, pressing, tracking back and generally keeping a good team shape. Freedman understands the crucial importance of the derby games in South London football and again he impressed this onto the team and the players responded. Jonathan Parr led a focussed defence and inspired by the atmosphere they kept a clean sheet for the first time this season as with Speroni behind him his understanding with Blake and Delaney continued to develop.

The game flowed in an open fashion and Charlton came into it indeed the game could have gone differently because despite having the early chances and the run of the game Palace could have been on the back foot if Bradley Wright-Phillips headed finish from a free kick not been disallowed for offside. Towards the end of the first half a Johnny Jackson free kick went narrowly wide and Jan Kermorgant forced a good save from Speroni as his shot went narrowly over. Yet Palace’s running and movement especially from Glenn Murray meant they pressed very well and for large periods were good at keeping the ball as they fed off the electricity coming from the crowd.

Freedman is unbeaten since taking over in South London Derby clashes and victory on Friday night meant he completed the set with away victories at Brighton Millwall and now Charlton. The result was important to keep the momentum of the previous victory against Sheffield Wednesday and having not won away all year and having lost seven of the last nine meetings against Charlton a shift in fortunes was equally important. The result relieved the pressure on Freedman showing he understood the importance of the fixture recognising its significance and his ability to get results when it matters.

The key moment of the game came on 49 minutes four minutes into the second half when KG Dikgacoi brilliantly dispatched a chest trap volley into the net on the half turn. Charlton failed to clear a Wilf Zaha corner and when the cross was flicked on by Garvan and touched to KG by Murray he turned dispatching the volley into the net past Ben Hamer giving the keeper no chance. The South African had been in Brazil on international duty and Freedman wondered whether he had picked up some samba skills because the Scott said he had not picked up the technique from him. The goal sent the travelling fans into raptures and was met by more fire crackers as the continental atmosphere from the terraces clearly inspired the team.

What followed was an inspired victory built on hard work, pressing, keeping a shape, and penetration based around the disciplined running and tireless work rate of Glenn Murray. Yet defensive perspiration and element of good fortune and a change of luck was still required. The goal from Wright-Phillips was ruled out for offside because Darcy Blake’s slip was not seen by the linesman and in the last ten minutes Jedinak headed off the line following a fantastic save from Julian Speroni. Then in stoppage time goalkeeper Ben Hamer had a header again cleared off the line when he came up for a corner. What followed was the final whistle sparking scenes of delirious celebration at the Jimmy Seed end of the ground as palace recorded their first win at the Valley in the league since 1968.

A foot note to my own season so far watching Palace away from home. The fact my train home from Waterloo after the game broke down for three hours and left me stranded at Mortlake station at 01:30 with network rail picking up the tab for a taxi the rest of the way home gave me time to reflect upon Palace’s own travails on the road this calendar year. On the away trip to Bristol the roads were gridlocked by a bomb scare and the journey was delayed for two hours. Not sure of the relevance of this is but we lost 4 – 1 in Bristol but the most daunting and outwardly complicated away day, to Boro, turned out to be the most straightforward with the best performance prior to winning at Charlton.

I guess this shows things can turn around when you least expect it because of footballs propensity to surprise. No doubt an interesting and exciting season experience will continue against a reinvigorated Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

 

 

      

 

   

 

Brilliant Bolassi Sparks Magic Murray as Eagles Stalk Owls and Finally Fly!

Palace got off the mark in the league on Saturday finally recording their first win of the season at home to Sheffield Wednesday, thanks to a brace from Glenn Murray on his return from injury. The big difference came with the home debut of ex Bristol City winger Yannick Bolassi who connected wonderfully in terms of an understanding with Wilf Zaha. Indeed management worked wonders with Zaha to keep him at the club by the end of the transfer window. It took a mere thirty seconds for Glenn Murray to slot home a Bolassi cross from the right who himself was played in by another influential Brazilian home debutant Andre Moritz. The instant understanding struck up between Zaha, Bolassi and Moritz is an exciting prospect for Crystal Palace going forward in terms of attacking football.

Other useful contributions included the home debuts of defender Darcy Blake as well as Damian Delaney signed as a free agent on deadline day following his release by Ipswich Town. Another useful impact substitute was striker David Goodwillie signed from Blackburn Rovers at the same time and he played the support role to Murray cleverly as a second half replacement for Moritz. The link up play between Wilf Zaha and Yannick Bolassi illustrated a fantastic understanding that cut through Wednesday at will, shown by the goal scored after just thirty seconds when Murray slotted home what is thought to be the fastest goal ever scored at Selhurst Park. The arrival of Darcy Blake and Damian Delaney solidified Palace’s defence and Julian Speroni made two or three excellent saves to rescue the team when the backline was breached, illustrating a return to form.

This appeared a more stable Palace performance with some of Freedman’s transfer window signings showing early signs of promise in terms of moulding together into a strong unit. The half time substitution of Blake who was replaced by Dean Moxey illustrated some of the old defensive frailties in the Palace backline were returning. On 55 minutes Wednesday bundled in an equaliser after Antonio connected with a corner. Following this Freedman responded with positive changes and the introductions of Jonathan Williams and Palace’s new number nine, until January at least, David Goodwillie. This was done with the intention of pressing Wednesday back to re-establish the lead that was so desperately needed.

What followed was one of the strangest incidents of a referee losing control of a game I have ever seen. I maintain the episode nearly worked against Palace with the score at 1 – 1, and I agree with Wednesday boss Dave Jones it changed the atmosphere in the stadium and in the crowd and ultimately cost Wednesday dearly.  Zaha’s trickery in the box led to the referee awarding a penalty kick. Straightforward enough until Chris Kirkland the Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper frogmarched a delegation of diplomats from Sheffield, namely his defence to the linesman dragging the referee with them. The Wednesday backline harangued the officials forcing them into a mind change that removed the offer of a penalty to Palace and somehow led to a Wednesday free kick. When this decision was explained to Palace representatives chaos ensued for about five minutes with ugly scenes akin to a bear pit on and off the field that illustrated the referee had lost control.

Fortunately this incident did not ultimately influence the result as on the field Palace kept their nerve and it did not affect the attacking flow of the game as Freedman’s side remained offensively dominant. On 83 minutes the breakthrough came. Played through by the superb seventeen year old pocket rocket Jonny Williams, Zaha skimmed his marker and crossed for Murray to superbly convert the centre and smash the ball past the now pantomime villain Kirkland into the back of the Sheffield Wednesday net. Palace won the match 2 – 1 deservedly getting their first three points of the season ending Dave Jones’s eighteen match unbeaten start as Wednesday boss in the process.

It was seen as a result to reward fan loyalty by Palace boss Freedman, rather than as a sign of relief at ending a poor run of form. The manager now faces the international break with Palace in a healthier state. The first points of the season are on the board and the squad is in place and the task that lies ahead for the team is now clear. The management now have the international break to put across their ideas and push up the league.

Having seen games away in Bristol, Middlesbrough, and Preston without reward prior to the international break the Palace faithful no doubt felt the reward of victory against Wednesday at the weekend. Now enjoyment can be taken from watching England under Hodgson in the World Cup Qualifiers with relief points are on the board. Many fans may even be excited by the prospects of new signings Moritz, Bolassi and co linking up with Zaha to give Charlton the run around at the Valley on Friday week. Indeed that match televised on Sky is the first of this seasons highly anticipated South London Derbies. No better time for Palace's season to truely get started.