Frank Nouble scored twice and Aaron Cresswell the Town goal of the season as three late first half strikes saw the Blues to a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Portman Road. Palace dominated until keeper Julian Speroni gifted Nouble his first goal for the Blues on 37, then in first half injury time Cresswell slammed in a brilliant second, before another catastrophic error, this time from Peter Ramage, led to Nouble’s second. Mick McCarthy’s men comfortably saw out the second half.

Nouble and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas returned to the Town side with Michael Chopra and Jay Tabb, who suffered a knee injury during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Hull, dropping to the bench.

Palace named ex-Blue Damien Delaney as skipper, while former keeper Lewis Price was on the bench.

The visitors had most of the ball in the opening moments, keeper Scott Loach coming off his line quickly to claim ahead of Jonathan Parr in the second minute. Soon after, Parr saw a shot deflect wide off Wilfried Zaha.

Palace continued to dominate but with the Blues’ backline preventing Loach from being called into action.

On the quarter hour, Nouble broke away on the left and hit a shot across the face of goal when he ought to have played an early pass to Daryl Murphy, who was in space in the middle.

But the visitors were well on top overall and might have gone ahead in the 19th minute when Richard Stearman blocked a Glenn Murray header at the far post from a corner on the left. The Blues, however, were looking a threat on the break.

On 27 Emmanuel-Thomas shot over from a freekick taken quickly by Aaron Cresswell after Nouble had been fouled midway inside the Palace half. Moments later, left-back Parr was replaced by Jazz Richards having suffered an injury a couple of minutes earlier when challenged strongly but fairly by Stearman.

One-time Town target Joel Ward picked up the game’s first booking in the 33rd minute, then Guirane N’Daw joined him in the book within a minute after an aerial clash with Jonathan Williams.

The Blues went ahead in the 37th minute via a goal Palace keeper Speroni, a virtual spectator up to then, won’t want to see again.

The Argentinian failed to clear N’Daw’s nothing ball over the top from just outside his area, allowing Nouble to take it off him, take a touch and then stroke his first Town goal into an empty net before the Eagles’ backline could get back. The former Wolves man was jumped on by sub Anthony Wordsworth in front of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

As the game moved into five minutes of injury time, Williams shot wide by some distance at one end before more confusion in the Palace defence gifted the ball to Murphy, who was well tackled on the edge of the area.

But a second Town goal was only moments away, and what a goal it was. Cresswell received the ball from N'Daw on the left and just as he appeared to be losing control, unleashed a brilliant half-volley from just outside the area, which flew to Speroni’s left and arced perfectly into the top corner of his net for the left-back’s fourth goal of the season.

Incredibly, the Blues would score again before the break from another calamitous error in the Palace defence. The kick-off was exchanged by the strikers and played back to Ramage who got the ball stuck under his feet midway inside the Eagles’ half, allowing the ever-eager Nouble to dispossess him and roll his second of the game under Speroni.

Not long after referee Simon Hooper brought a remarkable 45 minutes to a close. For the majority of the half there seemed only one side capable of registering three goals before the break and that was Palace, but their extraordinary errors and one brilliant strike had all but sealed Town’s victory, and their Championship status for another season.

Prior to the goals, the visitors had had virtually all of the ball but once Speroni had made his disastrous mistake for the first, the Eagles seemed to undergo some sort of collective breakdown.

To Nouble’s credit, it was his pressure which led to the blunders which led to both his goals, which he took confidently, while Cresswell’s strike was probably the Blues’ goal of the season.

Palace boss Ian Holloway brought on Kevin Phillips, a man who has enjoyed scoring against the Blues throughout his career, for Williams.

Luke Hyam and Wilfried Zaha both picked up early yellow cards for fouls, then on 49 N’Daw sent Nouble, by now the Blues’ lone frontman, away on the left. The striker cut the ball back to the Senegalese international, whose shot was deflected for a corner.

Not long after, Delaney was booked for a foul on Carlos Edwards, the Irishman apologising to his old team-mate, then on 55 Emmanuel-Thomas’s name was added to an increasingly lengthy list for handball as he broke forward 10 yards outside the Town area. From the freekick, Loach saved well down to his right from Moritz.

Stearman blocked a Zaha shot after the on-loan Manchester United man had cut in from the left in the 57th minute, then Moritz curled another 25-yard freekick well over, much to the amusement of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

Palace had had most of the ball since the break with the Blues unsurprisingly happy to sit back on their lead. However, McCarthy’s men were looking a threat on the break, particularly through Nouble’s pace, and on the hour Murphy hit a half-volley wide after good work on the right from Edwards.

Wordsworth replaced Emmanuel-Thomas for Town and Aaron Wilbraham took over from Joel Ward for the Eagles as the game moved towards its final 20 minutes.

Loach saved well from Murray from the edge of the area on 70 but in the main the Blues’ back four were cutting out or blocking everything the Palace strikers could throw at them.

Town almost made it 4-0 in the 79th minute when Nouble chipped a cross towards Murphy, who felt he was fouled, the ball reaching Luke Hyam at the far post a few feet out, the midfielder just failing to get enough on the ball to beat Speroni, who saved.

Patrick Kisnorbo took over from Edwards for the final 10 minutes — the Australian’s league debut for the Blues - moments before Stearman was yellow-carded for a foul on Zaha just outside the box on the left. Phillips put the freekick well over.

In the final minute of normal time Nouble made way for Elliott Hewitt to a rapturous reception from the Portman Road faithful and words of praise from both McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor.

Just before the end, Loach saved superbly from Murray, then Phillips struck the post with the rebound.

Moments later the final whistle went to confirm the Town win, and almost certainly their Championship status for another year.

Aside from Phillips’s late effort, there were few scares in the second half with the Blues seeing out the period in a professional manner having secured their lead — with plenty of help from the visitors — before the break.

Having lost 5-0 at Palace in November, that second half display illustrated how far Town have come defensively since then and 56 points — which have seen the Blues move up to a heady 13th — surely must be enough to confirm Championship status for 2013/14.

Town: Loach, Stearman, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell, Edwards (Kisnorbo 80), Hyam, N'Daw, Emmanuel-Thomas (Wordsworth 69), Murphy, Nouble. Subs: Lee-Barrett, Hewitt, Drury, Tabb, Chopra.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ward (Wilbraham 69), Delaney, Ramage, Parr (Richards 29), Bolasie, Dikgacoi, Williams (Phillips 46), Zaha, Moritz, Murray. Subs: Price, Gabbidon, Marrow, Dobbie. Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire). Att: 17,656 (Palace: 1,398).

Photo: Action Images

wkj added 23:33 - Apr 16 3-0 for my 30th - Cheers mick!
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DeepBlue added 23:48 - Apr 16 I was anti McCarthy appointment, thought we should have looked longer term and tried to get Taricco. But I was wrong. And I'm happy to admit that. I'd still love to see treacle back one day, but Evans (or whoever the decision was made by) deserves credit. Good bloke, good manager.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 23:59 - Apr 16 Fantastic performance from our defenders tonight. Palace had loads of possesion, but, created very few chances. Nouble,s pace & power unsettled their two centre backs & it was this i believe that was instrumental in the mistakes that lead to his 2 goals. Great tactics from MM & TC tonight, not always pretty, but effective. Cressy,s screamer was such a sweet strike. Happy tonight.

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wkj added 00:48 - Apr 17 Paul Jewell is one we can thank in part for Mick; in Decemver on goals in Sunday he said he actually suggested him before his departure; great person as loved the club couldn't get it right; but his final act of compassion for the club was suggesting Super Mick- hard season but by god do things look promising for next year
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Safetyfirstmrwarke added 02:14 - Apr 17 Delighted. By Any Means Necessary. COYB!
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truckertractorboy added 02:37 - Apr 17 A very strange game which u had to be there to belive .I agree palace had alot of the ball the whole game but our defence stood strong chambers was outstanding.ok noble looked very rusty but he aint played much and was gifted 2 goals but he finished them both very well , cressy's goal I sit right behind the angle he hit that was perfect going to b up there as one of the divisions goals of the season . Hopefully we are ok now would like another point or two to be deffo thou.apart from chambers no one stood out tonite back 4 played well as usual I think next year under mm and a few players added it could b a good one Coyb

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truckertractorboy added 02:37 - Apr 17 A very strange game which u had to be there to belive .I agree palace had alot of the ball the whole game but our defence stood strong chambers was outstanding.ok noble looked very rusty but he aint played much and was gifted 2 goals but he finished them both very well , cressy's goal I sit right behind the angle he hit that was perfect going to b up there as one of the divisions goals of the season . Hopefully we are ok now would like another point or two to be deffo thou.apart from chambers no one stood out tonite back 4 played well as usual I think next year under mm and a few players added it could b a good one Coyb

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Sparky85 added 07:18 - Apr 17 MOM - Luke Hyam, he was everywhere! N'daw & Edwards weren't great. Nouble and McGoldrick up front next year with some new wingers and Wordsworth supplying decent service will result in goals. Lastly - Stearman, what a tackle!
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supermickmcarthy added 07:36 - Apr 17 Cresswell, WHAT A GOAL, up there with Lowton and remy
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Shaunfos added 08:28 - Apr 17 Just gone back and looked over our last 6 games and we have scored 9 for and only coceded 2 hopefully we can continue this sort of form next season and make a cocerted push for automatic promotion or the play offs at least
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:38 - Apr 17 great ,if somewhat bemusing result, think we can breath a sigh of relief now,and if we can add to the points finish looking respectably placed considering the awful time leading up to Micks appointment.Great to see Nouble get those goals, they may well have been gifts but he worked his socks off and he deserved them.He took his chance when given a place and took his chances when playing .Great goal from Cressy [you just know at some time he will fire those in .] Pleased too that Scott Loach with the help of his defence kept a clean sheet i think he will be a trusty keeper. Only down side for me was another disapointing performance from N,Daw, but hey lets celebrate. WELL DONE Big Mick & co.[smiley smiley thumbs up thumbs up] COYB .

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ipswich1973 added 08:50 - Apr 17 sounds like cresswell scored what could be goal of the season
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itsonlyme added 08:54 - Apr 17 Bizarre game. Palace had a lot of the ball but did not do much with it. The turning point of the game was Stearman's superb tackle on Parr. Parr was seeing a lot of the ball and causing problems down our right flank, and the culprit was Carlos who had a very poor game. However, as most have said, the win is more important than the performance. Well done to Mick & Terry and also Marcus Evans for appointing them!

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Pendejo added 08:59 - Apr 17 MARVELOUS MIRACULOUS MIGHTY MANAGER MICK MCCARTHY Given our position in recent weeks I think it is fair to say Mick took on a basket case that was doomed, with zero prospect of survival. A stat posted above says 1.75 points per game under MM over a full season that's 80 points which are likely to finish a team in 2nd or 3rd. OK new season means a clean slate, everyone starts on zero but keep that defence tight, add a few more goals, keep the consistency and we may well have cause to be happy again. Super Mick McCarthy

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Stato added 09:16 - Apr 17 great achievement mick and terry. considering the loss of dj, mcgoldrick and hendo makes the points haul even more impressive. well done and thank you
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warktheline added 10:03 - Apr 17 Well said DeepBlue.We have a top notch manager in MM.No nonsense approach was needed when he took over.Players no longer running the club.
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wkj added 10:41 - Apr 17 I was there last night too; but it bothers me when people say we were lucky. I don't think we were lucky at all- we didn't play particularly well for large chunks of time- but we came up trumps when the opportunities presented itself. The first goal for example was a goal keeper error- but it was a forced error; which took vision and guts. Also the referee and one of the linos. we're very inconsistent; giving some pretty lousy free kicks. Scott loach had a job to d and did it well- intact one safe he made I had to remind myself not to sing Enfland's number one (the atmosphere resembled the old days a bit last night). Fact is; possession and saved shots on goal don't win games; goals do- and wether they were mistakes or not; Nouble had to shoot from a very difficult angle with defenders and the goaly closing in- without losing his cool (very hard to score your first goal for a club under pressure). We didn't play amazing football; but lets face it - no one really has in the league this year- but we had killer execution and vision when it counted. The result was fair and just

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TractorBoy94 added 10:47 - Apr 17 McCarthy's going to run us into the ground if we aren't careful, I'd much rather get Warnock in.
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BillyT123 added 11:06 - Apr 17 tractor boy are you always this negative? forever talking complete rubbish and havent got a clue about ipswich! do you support narrrrwich?
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Beattiesballbag added 13:32 - Apr 17 As they say you make your own luck & Nouble did that! Be interesting to see how productive it will be with him paired with Mcgoldrick next season, as for some reason they weren't given a chance to form a partnership this season. they're the only two senior forwards at the club with the potential to get better even if the right midfield maestro isn't found. With the assumption that Stearman signs up for next season a bit disappointed that Hewitt wasn't given the chance to come on in place of Edwards for at least 20 minutes to show his worth, Midfield of Hewitt ,Hyam Wordsworth & another......Maybe Tab or Taylor. would have the energy to get up and down the pitch as well as keep the ball once they had won it, find the forwards with a pass & score goals into the bargain! Ninth place realistically the best to hope for this season, The top teams always make their own luck with the right attitude & work rate, so no reason can't make the top two with a couple of tweeks next season! ............Happy days!

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runaround added 15:24 - Apr 17 A quite amazing game settled in 10 mad minutes. Palace had a lot of possession but once again we defended brilliantly letting them create very little. We also created little but took full advantage of 2 horrendous errors & Cresswell scored an absolute beauty. I actually missed the third goal as I was on my way for a halftime beer, first time I've missed a goal in over 900 matches that I've attended, that will teach me! That win made up for the horrible night I had in Selhurst Park in November & we should be safe now. If MM can keep team together in summer & add some creativity we can really push on

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warktheline added 16:41 - Apr 17 Tractorboy,maybe Norwich need Warnock.
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Seasider added 17:12 - Apr 17 The only Loan Player I think we must try and keep is Stearman,as think he has played more at centre half,so would be cover for this position.Think Frank Nouble will have a positive influence on Jet.
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karls_dad added 17:44 - Apr 17 Great result even if it was not pretty! but a win is a win! as for next season,s strike force? it would seem to me that everyone has forgotten about our striker with the foot injury? hmmm now what is his name lol? As for Chopra i feel he will be gone come summer, sadly he just has not cut it for us! a shame but just to many issues and not enough commitment to the club that has helped him way beyond the call! I feel we will be ok next season, a little fresh blood and some more work from TC/MM and we could, should be a real challenge for a top ten finish of better.

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ippy4life added 19:00 - Apr 17 don't want to put a downer on things, but Mick is doing very well, he might be snapped up by a team in the prem at the end of the season.
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