Ipswich put four past a sorry Crystal Palace side with goals from Owen Garvan, David Norris, Kevin Lisbie and a late Clint Hill own goal to make it four games unbeaten for the Blues. Palace pulled one goal back when Ipswich were 2-0 up through ex-Town striker Alan Lee, but other than that could not find a way past Richard Wright in the Ipswich goal.
It was Richard Wright in goal as normal for Ipswich, with a surprise back four of Dan Harding on the left, Alex Bruce on the right and Pim Balkestein partnering captain Gareth McAuley in the middle. Only a matter of days prior to the game, Harding was looking set to leave having been on loan at Southend United in the first part of this season, but got his chance to earn himself a future at Portman Road with Ben Thatcher struck by illness.
Owen Garvan returned to the side alongside Tommy Miller and David Norris following a virus, while Jon Walters and Danny Haynes occupied the left and right flanks respectively in a five-man midfield, Pablo Counago up front on his own.
The game’s first real chance brought the first goal, albeit harsh on the home side who had started the brighter in possession. Clint Hill fouled a Town player on the right of the Palace box, with Garvan stepping up to curl the free-kick in. Jon Walters dummied the ball, and it went onto evade everyone in the box and sail past Julian Speroni in the Palace goal with seventeen minutes on the clock.
GOAL: Crystal Palace 0-1 Ipswich Town (Owen Garvan)
The Eagles looked stunned to have conceded an early goal after five games unbeaten at Selhurst Park, although Alan Lee and fellow striker Sean Scannell both wasted decent chances.
The returning Harding then went root one downfield with his left foot, and Pablo Counago chased. He worked his way into the box after a good show of pace, cut back onto his right and then playing the ball to the energetic Norris. He then used one touch to control and then volley past Speroni from the edge of the six yard box.
GOAL: Crystal Palace 0-2 Ipswich Town (David Norris)
However, it didn’t take long before the Londoners to get back into the game, with a header from ex-Ipswich striker Alan Lee. The goal was originally ruled out for an offside, but the referee consulted his linesman and awarded the goal.
GOAL: Crystal Palace 1-2 Ipswich Town (Alan Lee)
Palace then were in the ascendancy, and had much more of the ball. However, Ipswich were not to be undone for the remaining fifteen minutes in the half and the two sides went in at the break with Town leading 2-1.
HALF-TIME: Crystal Palace 1-2 Ipswich Town
Palace manager Neil Warnock was up in arms about referee Clive Penton failing to award his side a penalty just six minutes into the second half, and he was probably right. Nick Carle broke into the Town box after a Palace striker managed to play the ball past Gareth McAuley, but he was upended as he was about to strike the ball towards the Blues goal. Miller dived in from behind and attempted to slide the ball away as a last-ditch effort, but only was able to bring Carle down without getting much on the ball. Fortunately for Ipswich, the referee waved play on.
Argentine keeper Speroni could have perhaps done better with Garvan’s goal from the free-kick in the first half, but after another set-piece from the Irishman, Speroni dropped the ball although there were no red shirts following in to capitalise on his error.
Crystal Palace still maintained keeping possession, but failed to find a way past the makeshift Ipswich defence. Although unspectacular, Harding was proving able to hold his own in the game despite being used to League One football this season.
It was game over as the Blues added their third and killer goal. Substitute Kevin Lisbie scored just five minutes after coming on, as fellow sub Jon Stead did well to keep the ball in on the right and playing it to Walters. The ex-Chester frontman held off his man and played it to Lisbie, who controlled and sidefooted the ball into the bottom left.
GOAL: Crystal Palace 1-3 Ipswich Town (Kevin Lisbie)
With just eight minutes left on the clock, Shefki Kuqi was away down Town’s right after confusion from Alex Bruce and Gareth McAuley but Richard Wright was there to save from Kuqi’s shot. It was as good as it got from the home side’s point of view, as they struggled to find a way past Wright.
Miller had a free-kick saved, but Town still got their fourth thanks to Hill heading in his own net after battling with McAuley from a Miller corner. He probably would have been proud of his header should it have been at the right end.
GOAL: Crystal Palace 1-4 Ipswich Town (Clint Hill)
Ipswich certainly rode their luck at times, and it was only when Kuqi was brought on to face his former side that the Eagles really tested Wright. Palace should have had a penalty and that would have made it all square and then who knows. But they say luck evens it out over a season and the Blues won’t be disappointed.
FINAL SCORE: Crystal Palace 1-4 Ipswich Town
