Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock admitted he had sympathy for counterpart Roy Keane after the Eagles beat his Ipswich Town side 3-1 at Selhurst Park.

The Tractor Boys had Jon Stead harshly sent off for a tackle on Freddie Sears with the scores level in the first half and Warnock revealed he didn't think the challenge deserved a sending off.

“I didn't think it was red,” he said.

“I expected it to be red but I didn't think it warranted a red.

“I know Jonathan Stead and he isn't like that.

“It's one foot and it's studs showing but he didn't go over the top or anything.

“It wasn't red but I now Paul the referee quite well and I thought it would be red.”

Goals from Jose Fonte, Neil Danns and Victor Moses gave Palace the victory after Jamie Peters had put Ipswich in front.

It was the first time this season the Eagles have come from behind to win a game and Warnock was pleased with the performance.

“I thought it was a typical Boxing Day game,” he said.

“It's the first time we have come from behind to win this season.

“We were close against Barnsley, we usually give teams a goal start if we can, make them feel at home.

“I thought at half time it was there if we kept a little bit of discipline.

“We could have had more goals and they had the busiest goalkeeper, even before the sending off.

“We are a genuine bunch of players trying hard and I thought the fans were super today and it's a great Christmas win for us.”

Claude Davis picked up his fifth booking of the season and will miss Monday's trip to Swansea.

Despite Danny Butterfield and Paddy McCarthy also being out with injuries, Warnock was not panicking about his makeshift defence.

“It will give Claude a rest,” he said.

“I've got a great young lad in Lee Hills who will come in and do really well.

“It's a good opportunity for him.”