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.
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