Mick McCarthy tasted defeat for the first time as Town manager as Ian Holloway's Crystal Palace ran out comfortable 5-0 victors at Selhurst Park. Yannick Bolasie had put the home side ahead at half-time before an extraordinary 11 minutes early in the second half in which Palace were awarded three penalties, Murray scoring two and having one saved, the Eagles striker later adding his third and the Eagles' fourth before sub Andre Moritz made it five in injury time.

Andy Drury returned to the Town midfield in place of Guirane N’Daw. The Senegalese international, who was forced off with cramp late in the 1-0 victory at Birmingham on Saturday, was included amongst the subs.

Former Blues Damien Delaney and Owen Garvan were in the Palace starting line-up, while keeper Lewis Price and one-time Town academy schoolboy Stuart O'Keefe were on the bench.

Town, in all white, lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with Daryl Murphy moving to the left of midfield from the front role he occupied on Saturday.

The home side threatened to go in front in the opening minute, Yannick Bolasie breaking down the left and cutting in before being dispossessed by a retreating Lee Martin. The loose ball ran to Glenn Murray, who stabbed wide from eight yards when he will feel he should have scored.

Palace had started the game the stronger and on six appealed for a penalty when Murray went to ground inside the area under the attention of Danny Higginbotham but referee Darren Sheldrake wasn’t interested. Soon after, Norwegian full-back Jonathan Parr sent in a cross from the left which Stephen Henderson was forced to tip over.

The Blues started to keep the ball better as the game reached the quarter hour mark, although skipper Carlos Edwards had to use his pace to get back and take the ball from the lively Bolasie after the Congolese winger had been found in space on the left.

By the 20th minute it was Palace giving the ball away too easily and the Blues having most of the possession but without threatening Eagles keeper Julian Speroni.

However, it was the home side who would go in front in the 24th minute as Bolasie made the most of a Town error at the back.

Garvan flicked a header on towards Murray, who held his arms in the air and left it as he was well offside. Luke Chambers dawdled on the ball, not realising Bolasie was running in behind him from an onside position and the winger dispossessed him before lobbing over Henderson and into the net.

It was a bad goal for Town to concede and at the time came against the run of play with the Blues having been in the ascendant for the previous few minutes.

Kagisho Dikgacoi got his name in referee Sheldrake’s book for a somewhat wild lunge at Aaron Cresswell in the 32nd minute. Soon after, Murray had the ball in the net, but having been found when in an offside position by a deflected Garvan shot.

DJ Campbell shot low to Speroni from 20 yards with the Blues still to seriously test the Argentinian goalkeeper.

On 37 Cresswell whipped in a dangerous cross from the left which Parr was forced to divert away from Martin rushing in from the right, Speroni tipping the ball over. Martin and the keeper subsequently collided but referee Sheldrake was happy with the challenge and awarded a corner, which came to nothing.

Two minutes before the scheduled end of the half, a Martin corner was cleared to Richie Wellens 25 yards out but the on-loan Leicester man mis-hit his strike well wide when he ought to have done better.

For Palace, goalscorer Bolasie twisted and turned his way past Edwards on the right of the Blues’ box as the period moved into injury time before hitting a low shot from a tight angle which Henderson bundled behind, although referee Sheldrake gave a goalkick.

Town couldn’t really argue with the scoreline at the break. Despite having been on top for spells, the home side had played more of the better football and had created pretty much all of the chances.

The goal was a gift of the type which has become all too familiar and which Mick McCarthy will be hoping to eliminate from Town’s game during his time in charge.

Martin saw an early shot blocked, but it took only five minutes of the second period for the home side to increase their lead from the penalty spot.

Wilfried Zaha, who had swapped flanks with Bolasie, cut in from the left and broke into the area, skipping past players as he went. Chambers challenged, Zaha went to ground and referee Sheldrake pointed to the spot.

Chambers and the rest of the Town players argued long and hard, the Blues defender may have got the ball and the winger may have been on his way down prior to the tackle. Reo-Coker picked up a yellow card for his protests before Murray slammed the ball high into the net to Henderson’s left to make it 2-0.

Within five minutes the Eagles had a second penalty. Parr whipped a cross in from the left towards Garvan at the far post. The former Blues midfielder was manhandled by Cresswell and fell to the turf, although how much the contact with the full-back had to do with that was debatable.

However, the linesman flagged and Mr Sheldrake again pointed to the spot. Murray this time shot low to Henderson’s left to make it 3-0.

Town looked to get back in the game, Campbell shooting weakly Speroni, then Higginbotham forced the Argentinian into a rare save to his left with a well-struck shot after a corner had reached him beyond the far post.

Unbelievably, the Eagles were then awarded their third spotkick in 11 minutes. Henderson dived at Murray’s feet as the striker broke into the area, then Garvan following up was tripped by the ponderous Chambers. This time Murray lashed the ball down the centre of the goal and the Blues keeper blocked.

But the ex-Brighton man wasn’t to be denied his hat-trick. On 63 one-time Blues target Joel Ward broke unchallenged down the Palace right and crossed low for Murray, who tapped home from close range.

Palace sub Andre Moritz, who had replaced hat-trick hero Murray who had been given an inevitable standing ovation, headed Bolasie’s left-wing cross over on 70, moments before Drury and Murphy made way for Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who joined Campbell up front, and Tommy Smith, who went to left-back with Cresswell moving up into midfield.

Cresswell lashed over as the game moved into its final quarter hour with Town looking very much a beaten side. Moments later, a frustrated Martin was booked for dissent.

Moritz curled a shot wide as the match entered its final 10 minutes, then Zaha was booked for stopping the ball from going out of play with his hand, park match style. Wellens, who had been receiving treatment for a cut, was replaced by Guirane N’Daw for the final nine minutes.

Henderson saved as Jermaine Easter went through on goal in the 90th minute, while the Blues kept pushing at the other end but with little conviction and with Speroni never really under any threat. Late on, Delaney cut out a low Cresswell cross from the left ahead of Campbell.

Four minutes into injury time, the final nail was hammered into Town’s coffin when Palace broke from a Blues’ corner and Parr and Moritz exchanged passes before the Brazilian netted from close range, although having appeared to stray offside. Moments later, the whistle put the Blues out of their misery.

Town never recovered from the remarkable start to the second half. While the Blues had been on top at times before the break, Palace, who are now top, were dominant in the second.

The Town players may have felt there was some question about the first two penalties but the home side had already turned up the heat at that stage with Zaha looking increasingly dangerous.

There were few complaints about the third penalty with the Blues’ backline again overstretched, while Ward was allowed to skip past three Town shirts before delivering the cross for the fourth goal. The fifth came with Town searching in vain for something at the other end.

After the positivity of Saturday, tonight’s result is a jolt back to reality and shows new manager McCarthy quite how much work he has to do.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ward, Ramage, Delaney, Parr, Dikgacoi, Jedinak (c), Bolasie, Garvan (Easter 69), Zaha (Moxey 88), Murray (Moritz 69). Unused: Price, Blake, O'Keefe, Appiah.

Town: Henderson, Edwards (c), Chambers, Higginbotham, Cresswell, Martin, Reo-Coker, Drury (Emmanuel-Thomas 70), Wellens (N'Daw 81), Murphy (Smith 70), Campbell. Unused: Loach, Mohsni, Scotland, Chopra. Referee: Darren Sheldrake (Surrey). Att: 15,517 (Town: 1,261).

Photo: Action Images

blueherts added 08:31 - Nov 7 Went to the game with a Palace mate and had a good view behind the goal - Palace are flying at moment - we couldnt handle their pace - The lad they got from Bristol City out wide caused us more problems than Zaha - they have a system that everyone plays to - As a Football fan they played football using width and pace - No disgrace losing to them and frankly 3 points out of 6 in last two - I didnt expect BUT ----- WHY KEEP HYAM out - MM has either told him - You are the future Luke , I just want to see who else is worthy of the shirt - Well he has found out BRING BACK HYAM NOW - Make him captain - He is reliable , a strong player and plays in an key position - It has also - exposed even more how exposed Cresswell is on the left with no real cover - Carson needs to get a run Home matches are KEY and MM has probably now seen where our frailities lie - we know them but it aint gonna be easy - I hope Chambers is a better RB than a CB ( iT WAS SCHOOLBOY STUFF AT TIMES LAST NIGHT) Oh and do not blame the officials - The penalties were due to our inept defending - If you dive in like that in the box you can only expect decisions . Lets move on - MM now sees what we have and dont have quite clearly - Lets keep clean sheet on Satday - STOP AUSTIN !!!

0

Legend added 08:34 - Nov 7 If we loose heavy again for the next two games and teams around us win then we as good as dead in the water. To have a minus twenty goal difference this early is absolutly disgusting. If we go down it will be down to the spineless owner and his puppet. Jewell should have been shown the door months ago, most of us fans could see what was happening to the club on and off the pitch.

0

shenfieldblue added 08:35 - Nov 7 11 Players on the pitch but no TEAM.
0

choprawontcome added 08:54 - Nov 7 moan moan moan moan moan.
0

warbeat78 added 09:02 - Nov 7 Loach Smith/ainsley Ndaw. Chambers Edwards. Cresswell Luongo. Wellens. Hyam/martin Dj cambell. Mohsni Subs Scotland. Reocoker. Worth a try ithink need luongo back in to push on for us Carson Higging Alb
0

warbeat78 added 09:05 - Nov 7 Sorry dont know what happened footnote
0

NoelTheDub added 09:08 - Nov 7 I was never a fan of mick but he is limited in what he can do before jan.As jewell did playing 451 with no pace out wide gives our striker no chance.Dont no why ndaw was out as he was good on sat,and murf on wing instead of up front with dj.We won on sat with 442 why change.I agree this is a bad bunch but murphy at best is a striker,higgs is a left back chambers is struggling for a strong partner and it dosent matter whos in goal .GUARDIOLA wouldnt sort this out until jan so i will stay very quiet till then. Its hard for me to say but good luck mick you need it.

0

mark1969 added 09:17 - Nov 7 Tried to sleep before commenting , it is evident that a lot of the loans we have need to go and now. Chambers is flat footed and slow and being caught out of position a poor signing .The way forward is with our players committed to our club . Things were completely screwed up in the summer of non activity , for which FFP claims and inactivity by Clegg has brought our great club to its knees. Micks biggest battle may be with Clegg trying to get him to spend some of the owners money . Mick now knows the true size of the task , his activity in the next few days will tell us a lot . C,mon Mick make changes we will support you and the team .

0

Moscow_Blue added 09:25 - Nov 7 How many of the posters above were actually there? The magnitude of this result was down to some atrocious refereeing and linesmen decisions. Whilst we didn't deserve to win we played some nice football at times instaed of just hoofing it. The fans were magnificent throughout. Keep the faith; we will will make it.
0

mackenzieblue added 09:32 - Nov 7 I was there last night and to be fair we are in deep trouble. With a poor defence and no real threat going forward, a hiding was always on the cards. I believe Mccarthy is the man to get us out of this trouble, however i was very confused with his tactics and lineup last night. 1. Why make changes to a team that has won at Birmingham on Saturday? 2. Why persist in playing players out of position (Daryl Murphy has never been a left winger) Home games are key now though, if we are going to stay up then Portman Road has got to be more of a fortress. It cannot be a place for teams to pick up easy 3 points anymore

0

warbeat78 added 09:34 - Nov 7 Attacking is 50% percent or more of your defending done we have got to pushharder on the oppis,ition must play 2 up front and need runs from mid field we got to start attacking until last night palace had only scoored .4 more than they had let in so are defence shouldn't be getting all the flak palace are not defending well against attacking sides with goal scorers
0

NoelTheDub added 09:38 - Nov 7 1 loach 2 smith 3 higgs 4 chambers 5 moshi capt 6wellens 7 ndaw 8 cresswell 9dj 10 scotland 11martin
0

bluey123 added 09:44 - Nov 7 Just shows what an awful team PJ left the lot should be got rid of they cant defend they cant score get rid of the loans at least if the kids played you would get 100 per cent and you could understand losing this lot are a disgrace
0

kerryblue added 09:52 - Nov 7 I never thought we would win this one,Palace are going well and were up for it with Holloways first game plus guys like Garvan are playing the best football of their careers,I dont see us going down and firmly believe Mick will stop the rot and get us into the playoffs this season but it will take time.
0

StuartBrett8 added 10:30 - Nov 7 Welcome to Ipswich BIG Mick.... now you see why we're so deep in the SH*T ... first job to do today tie Reo-Coker to a 3 year deal and make him captain!
0

ericclacton added 10:35 - Nov 7 Hey come on people he's only just got in the door, that was Jewells rubbish he had to use last night.
0

michaeldownunder added 10:38 - Nov 7 Just seen the goals, , the back four are sooooo poor, the full backs cannot seem to cut out any crosses and offer no help to the c/halfs. We need two fullbacks who can defend On the other hand Palace are so much better/faster/more confedent than us so what did we expect . Loved Reo's outburst , He won't be here much longer nor wellens Sat game will tell us more about MM and what players he likes

0

blueherts added 10:58 - Nov 7 Moscow - I was there - Like you I beleive we will get out of this but not with that personnel - Shame N Daw picke dup knock - we didnt threaten at all up front or test out old boy boy that no one here rated DD Our problem is we dont closed down in Midfield and our covering play both FB and CB is appalling How three men cant stop one is beyond me - Mick and Terry will sort - I have faith BTW Palace are a very good attacking team to watch - be nice to have us playing that way - WIDE MEN are great for the game

0

mackenzieblue added 11:00 - Nov 7 stuart brett9: i dont know if you were there last night, but to me Reo Coker was nothing special at all. Massively unfit combined with endless misplaced passes.
0

StuartBrett8 added 11:06 - Nov 7 I wasn't there... fair enough.
0

TheHighwayman added 11:13 - Nov 7 Comment from a Palace fan on the Grauniad website: Quote I feel your pain, as a Palace fan (and not here to gloat) we've been there and brought the lovely overpriced replica t-shirt. We were awesome last night (although played better against Blackburn on Saturday) and it is invigorating to see such a young, dynamic and skillful side. In contrast, Ipswich and you summed it up beautifully with 'disjointed rabble of begged and borrowed' looked terrible and so far off the pace. Nigel Reo Coker, being bypassed in midfield when he clearly has the attitude of being a top Premier League player being particularly sad. We tried the short term loan route (no jokes about Simon Jordan and hedge funds) under Burley, when half the squad was random journeymen drudged up from God know's where. One, maybe two can add something, but anymore and it's impossible to build any sort of coherent team. I actually think McCarthy will do a good job but from where I sit at Selhurst (just to the left of the dug outs) he looked very down beat last night. Good luck to Ipswich, we've been there and hopefully, as we are proving at the moment, there is light at the end of the tunnel. End of quote.

0

dirtydingusmagee added 11:16 - Nov 7 welcome to Town Mick,at least this leaves no doubts as to how bad things have become.It will take a lot to turn this around for the million pound bonus ,Cant ever see it happening with the present players.They just are not good enough. This is going to be a painful road until we get new players in [not loans]We have a team who cant score and cant defend .Hope and pray we are not too far adrift when the Jan transfer session opens .

0

RRanger added 11:22 - Nov 7 Moscow Blue: I was there last night and if for one moment you tried to be objective about the penalties (say for instance they were given against C Palace) maybe you would concede that at least 2 of them were genuine penalties. I think the first one was dubious but not surprising- ie Zaha skilfully won it , but Cressie was climbing all over the back of the C Palace player for the second one and ,like it or not ,Henderson got he man not the ball for the 3rd one. However their final goal was so offside I can only think it was payback time by the Linesman for the foul abuse coming from our fans that had been directed at him from the moment he (correctly in my view) signalled the second penalty. Not that that mattered as we had been well and truly stuffed by a much better team who had pace, were prepared to take on our players in one to ones,usually found their man when passing out of defence ,could cross the ball effectively and found the (big) striker in the middle. Plus their defence was as solid as anything I have seen in the championship this season.Speroni hardly had a save to make. The fact that half our players (those that aren't loanees) are on short contracts is beginning to look like a very good decision as if MM is able to find some good players in the next transfer window it might be difficult to off load our deadwood. Not one of our players (with the exception of DJ) seemed capable of beating any of the opposition in a one on one situation which was why,even in the periods of the game when we had good possession, we couldn't manage any serious attacks.

0

jhc added 11:24 - Nov 7 I think some of you are a little hard on your team this morning. Clearly we (Palace) are playing with a lot of confidence and passion at the moment but to be fair Ipswich played into our hands last night. Too many players got forward and you left yourselves too exposed at the back. That was a fatal mistake when we've got pace with Bolasie & Zaha, which you had trouble coping with most of the night. I don't think some of your players are as bad as some of you suggest, but you're not playing as a team at the moment. We've played far worse teams this season and with a bit of organization and belief I'm sure you'll push up the table. You're lacking a cutting edge up front, but you had a lot of possession in the last half hour but couldn't do much with it. I'm sure MM will sort it out. We're in the middle of a purple patch where everything is going for us. When you play a team in form it's never easy. There's a long way to go this season (for both our teams) and I wouldn't be as pessimistic about your season as some on here. Felt sorry for your fans last night - good turnout under the circumstances. Good luck!

0

Warkys_Tash added 11:30 - Nov 7 Honeymoon period defo over. Not McCarthy's fault, of course but he still had an option to play Chambers at right back & not play Murphy in at left midfield & play two up front. But he didn't. So this Saturday, if he sticks with Edwards at right back & Murphy left midfield then he is asking to get beat. First goal was a joke by the linesman & Ref, how was Murray not interferring with play? he certainly obstructed Chambers. However, Chambers is now proving to be a weak link at the back - Did Delaney give him his old boots when he left?? Or are those Town shirts just made of Kryptonite?? Rather not see Dury anywhere near the ground & Murphy too.

0

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls