Crystal Palace v Bristol City 22/11/08

Welcome to this afternoon's game at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace look to avenge last season's play-off semi-final defeat to Bristol City.

Manager Neil Warnock makes three changes to the side that lost at Cardiff City last week, with goalkeeper Julian Speroni returning in place of Darryl Flahavan - though he has kept Flahavan on the bench which is an unusual move for Warnock and suggests Speroni is not 100 per cent fit.

Shaun Derry misses out on the 16 altogether, I assume he is injured, and is replaced by Nick Carle in the starting line-up, who will be eager to make an impression against his former club, while Nathanial Clyne comes in at right-back for the suspended Matt Lawrence.

Palace: Speroni, Clyne, McCarthy, Fonte, Hill (c), Carle, Watson, Oster, Ifill, Scannell, Beattie. SUBS: Moses, Flahavan, Danns, Ertl, Kuqi.

Bristol City: Basso, Orr, Fontaine, McCombe, Noble, McIndoe, Adebola, Wilson, Williams, Elliot, Johnson. SUBS: Carey, Maynard, Sproule, Weale, John.

1 min: As Palace get the game under way other points of note for Palace today include Clint Hill taking the captain's armband on his 50th appearance and Neil Danns returning to the bench after an ankle injury.

4 min: Looks like Watson is taking on the responsibility of the holding role in Derry's absence.

5 min: Scannell shows his pace down the right and puts in a lovely cross but no one attacks it at the back post.

8 min: Beattie twists past Elliot out wide and wins a free-kick that is put behind for a corner.

9 min: Watson swings the ball in and Hill heads it in but the ref gives a free-kick for a foul on Basso. Not too many complaints by Palace.

11 min: GOAL. Fantastic goal by Oster. Scannell did well to get in a challenge on the wing and Beattie ran forward before playing in Oster who slotted home calmly. Johnson is livid on the touchline claiming the ball went out.

12 min: GOAL. Palcae double their lead straight away and it's Scannell's second in two games. City failed to clear in their own box and Ifill laid the ball back to Scannell who calmly slotted left footed into the bottom corner. Great start for Palace and Scannell.

17 min: Johnson is still mouthing away at the linesman in front of his dugout about that first goal. It looked close but I think Scannell did keep it in.

20 min: Ifill, Carle and Hill work some lovely triangles down the left but Hill's cross is overhit.

20 min: Watson gives away a free-kick outside the box but City try and take it quickly but waste it.

23 min: Orr shoots from distance but that's comfortable for Speroni.

29 min: City take a short corner and the marking is poor by Palace but Elliot's header floats wide.

29 min: SUB: Johnson makes what can only be a tactical switch with his sdie 2-0 down as Sproule comes on for Williams.

32 min: City counteract in numbers but Palace get back quickly to block the danger.

34 min: Clyne defends well down the right to win a goal kick that Fonte takes for Speroni - hopefully his groin injury isn't too and though.

39 min: There have been a few niggles off the ball between players, mostly involving Clint Hill so far, as Sproule fires wide from an angle.

42 min: Ifill is bundled over on the edge of the box by Orr in a great spot for Watson, who dips it just past the near cost.

44 min: GOAL. Adebola pulls one back for City against his former club. Was a simple goal too as a long throw-in was flicked on and the big forward swivelled six yards out to volley home. McCarthy wasn't close enough to him there.

45 min: One minute added on.

HALF TIME: Palace take a 2-1 lead in to the break but they will be disappointed to have conceded. They've dealt with the little threat City have posed well but Adebola's strike will ensure a nervy second half.

46 minn: City get the game under way and win a free-kick straight away that Speroni gathers. No changes by either side.

48 min: Good interplay between Ifill and Beattie sees the latter chip just over.

50 min: SUB: Ifill off, Kuqi on. Ifill goes straight down the tunnel, hopefully it's not too serious. Beattie goes left wing.

52 min: Carle finds himself in acres of space 25 yards out but takes too many touches and the chance is wasted.

55 min: Good play by Beattie down the left sets up Watson whose curler is well gathered by Basso. City go up the other end and McIndoes heads over when free at the back post. He was offside though.

57 min: Palace have another goal ruled out. This time Fonte's header from Watson's corner. Presumably for a foul by Kuqi or Beattie on Basso.

57 min: City go right up the other and have a good shout for a penalty turned down as McCarthy brigns down Adebola when through on goal but it looked like he got the ball.

61 min: Kuqi wastes a fantastic break for Palace set up by Scannell's pace but the big Finn puts too much weight on his pass to an unrushing Beattie and it goes through to Basso.

62 min: SUB: Noble off, Maynard on.

64 min: Kuqi does well this time as he twists into space in the box. Hill flicks his cross goalward but it's easy for Basso.

65 min: GOAL. Beattie gives Palace breathing space and it's largely thanks to Kuqi. He won a chest down out wide got into space and fired a fizzing cross straight to Beattie's feet who slotted it first time into the bottom corner.

67 min: Fantastic save from Speorni scambling across his goal to deny Adebola, who was offside anyway.

68 min: SUB: Orr off, John on as Johnson goes for three strikers.

70 min: Scannell goes on a mazy run into the box but sees his shot blocked before Kuqi shoots weakly at Basso.

72 min: GOAL. Palace are rampant as finally a header from a corner is allowed. Oster took this one with an inswinger with his right foot that Fonte heads home from six yards.

74 min: GOAL. Fonte goes from hero to villain as his goal kick goes straight to Adebola who puts Maynard through on goal. He rounds Speroni and slots home easily. Another poor goal from Palace's point of view.

77 min: YELLOW CARD. A small brawl insues as Hill goes down under a flailing arm from Sproule. The Palace players claim an elbow and Sproule is booked. Kuqi heads the free kick over.

80 min: 14,599 is today's attendance as Kuqi first has one shot blocked then flashes another wide.

81 min: SUB: Oster off, Ertl on.

83 min: It's all Bristol now and I wouldn't go anywhere just yet as Wilson drives straight at Speroni.

86 min: McCarthy has now taken over kicking duties and puts that free kick straight into the crowd.

88 min: Kuqi gets the cheers as he fights long and hard for the ball before passing it to no one.

90 min: SUB: Man of the match Sean Scannell is replaced by Moses as Kuqi wins a free-kick.

90 min: Three minutes added on.

FULL TIME: The Eagles well and truly banish the memories of last season's play-offs with a well deserved victory over Bristol, though they did gift them two goals again. Next up is Norwich away on Tuesday night, see you then.