Crystal Palace 2 – 1 Bristol City.

Crystal Palace secured a third win in four games at Selhurst Park on Tuesday night in front of a vibrant crowd of 17,000. Ian Holloway made one change from the impressive victory over Middlesbrough with Yannick Bolasie coming into the team to replace Stephen Dobbie and face his old side. Although Palace controlled large periods of the match Bristol City, fighting for their lives in the Championship, battled bravely offering some attacking threat and keeping the Palace defence on its toes. This was a different type of performance to the Middlesbrough game and indeed a much tighter match. A stubborn performance from Bristol City meant the breakthrough was not forthcoming and Palace had to be patient in possession to break the City backline down.

Unlucky not to take the lead before they did Palace were to be frustrated by the linesman’s flag. Jazz Richards found the net after being played through by Glenn Murray following good work in the build up by Bolasie and Zaha. The decision to deny him was marginal. Yet the Palace fans hoped such up tempo attacking play meant the breakthrough was not far away. Yannick Bolasie was keyed up for the match, facing his old employers for the first time since signing for Palace last August. He combined brilliantly on the wing again with Williams and Zaha. Indeed he nearly put Palace in front producing a marvellous piece of individual skill to create a bicycle kick that smashed off the crossbar.

The goal eventually arrived after thirty four minutes of hard work for the Eagles. It did emphasise the gulf in class and confidence between the top and bottom of the league. As well as this it was a fair reflection of the balance of play in the first half. A quick free kick from Mile Jedinak caught the Bristol City defence off guard and Glenn Murray peeled off the back post to volley Palace into a 1 – 0 half time lead.

The match remained tight at the start of the second half. Bristol City required a response because of their precarious league position and Palace needed a second goal in order to be more comfortable. Julian Speroni was as ever proficient in the Palace goal. Mopping up any threat offered up by the Robins attack supporting the central defensive partnership of Delaney and Ramage. Kevin Phillips and Stephen Dobbie were introduced for Zaha and Williams both of whom were given a rest given the demands of the Championship calendar and three matches in a week. Phillips immediately showed his effectiveness off the bench. Hitting the crossbar and shooting narrowly over with his first two touches, Palace pressed to put the game beyond Bristol City.

The second goal arrived after the hour mark. On sixty five minutes Palace won a free kick when another quick break was cut short by a foul. Stephen Dobbie expertly dispatched the set piece scoring past Tom Heaton in the City goal to make it 2 – 0. Dobbie’s first strike for the Palace made Palace look secure for the first time in the match, finally putting to bed a brave Bristol City challenge. Although City had kept the score line tight a second goal meant they now were punished for failing to offer a penetrative threat on the Palace goal.

The Eagles were made to work hard for this win. Holloway was delighted with the nine points from the last three home games and the exciting times ahead represented by the teams improving performances. This was a sentiment echoed by a delighted crowd and their response to the result at full time. Yannick Bolasie was replaced by Jacob Butterfield on seventy eight minutes and Butterfield could have had a third when he got into the box and had a shot blocked after good link up play with Phillips.

Bristol City got the consolation goal their hard work deserved in the fourth minute of stoppage time. In the only blot on the copybook of the Palace defence all night, Jonathan Parr got his wires crossed with Speroni and failed to deal with a deep cross, heading the ball into his own net passed a bemused and frustrated keeper. Fortunately Palace already had the second goal and the goal came too late to influence the outcome. Palace held on to win 2 – 1.

Palace’s next home match sets up a massive Tuesday night that could be crucial to the outcome of the season against Hull City. Hull is currently in second place in the Championship, four points above the Eagles so the match is shaping up to hold great importance to both teams and the race for promotion. First though Palace is on the road against Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County. These matches will be tough but two victories in a week at home does maintain Palace’s marvellous record at Selhurst Park this season and could not have set up the away games any better. The exciting battle for promotion, automatic or via the playoffs continues to intensify.