CRYSTAL PALACE 0
CHARLTON ATHLETIC 1
Rommedahl (90)

Dennis Rommedahl's late strike left Selhurst Park in a state of shock on Sunday as Charlton produced an unlikely smash-and-grab raid at their old stomping ground.

With 10 seconds of injury time remaining Rommedahl received the ball in space on the Charlton right and effortlessly cut inside a flat-footed Danny Granville to hit an unstoppable shot past Kiraly.

Palace assistant manager Kit Symons said: "It was complete disbelief. We dominated that second-half and came away not winning but losing.

"We would have been disappointed with a 0-0 today, but to come away with a 1-0 deficit is very tough on the lads.

"Charlton would have been delighted with a 0-0 the way the second half was going, they would have been doing cartwheels all the way back to the Valley, but they'll be even happier now."

Defeat was made even harder to muster as Andrew Johnson missed a 57th minute penalty after Addicks keeper Dean Kiely guessed right and superbly tipped the Palace striker's penalty round his left hand post.

Charlton had the better of the early exchanges and came close to scoring in the 20th minute when Matt Holland headed marginally wide after a great run and cross by the impressive Jerome Thomas.

But Aki Riihilahti was a whisker away from putting the Eagles in front, when he powerfully headed down a Kolkka cross towards goal, but the ball bounced up against the bar and away to safety.

After the break Palace were in the ascendancy and created some good openings, but the numbers were lacking in the box at the vital moments.

But in the 57th minute Palace had a golden opportunity to open the scoring when Johnson was rashly brought down in the box by Charlton defender Talal El Karkouri.

Kiely saved the resulting penalty but Palace maintained the pressure on the Charlton defence. However, they struggled to get on the end of some great crosses by Routledge and Kolkka.

Palace's bad day completed when Rommedahl was given too much room following a slow Charlton break-away, after Watson looked to be dispossessed unfairly. The Dane clinically put the game beyond Palace with the last kick of the game.

MATCH STATS
Palace star man: Wayne Routledge
Apart from obvious attacking quality, Routledge's work rate was commendable and his early season hunger for the ball has returned. His fine form will be vital during busy Christmas period.