Jean-Philippe Mateta’s 59th minute goal was enough to see Crystal Palace to a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Portman Road, leaving Town still looking for their first home win of the season. Mateta made the most of a Jacob Greaves slip before finishing confidently, with the defender coming closest to scoring for the Blues when he stuck the woodwork with a header from a set piece in the closing stages.

Town made four changes with Greaves, Harry Clarke, Wes Burns and Jack Clarke coming into the starting XI.

Harry Clarke replaced the injured Axel Tuanzebe at right-back with Greaves coming in for Cameron Burgess, who was absent from the squad, at the centre of the defence alongside Dara O’Shea.

Burns and Jack Clarke started in the wide roles with Omari Hutchinson moving into the centre, while Conor Chaplin and Sammie Szmodics dropped to the bench alongside Kalvin Phillips and Ben Johnson, who were back in the squad after injury.

For Palace, Mali international midfielder Cheick Doucouré came into an otherwise unchanged side for Jefferson Lerma, who was among the subs.

Ex-Blues loanee Trevoh Cholabah started for the Eagles in their their three-man backline alongside skipper Marc Guehi, wearing a rainbow armband bearing the legend ‘Jesus ‘hearts’ you’, which is again likely to see the FA contact him. Blues captain Sam Morsy was again not wearing the LGBTQ+ armband.

Palace had the most of the first couple of minutes before the Blues began to see more of the ball and on seven O’Shea’s header from a right-sided corner deflected behind for another flag-kick.

A minute later, Hutchinson scuffed an effort through to Dean Henderson in the Palace goal, then Liam Delap came close to playing the former Chelsea man in down the middle but an Eagles defender’s toe intervened. Delap was clearly being fouled and referee Craig Pawson might well have pulled play back.

Soon after, Jack Clarke ran into space from his own half with options either side but ran into trouble before making up his mind.

Both sides were having spells in charge without threatening, while the Blues looked most dangerous when breaking through Clarke and Delap.

On 22, O’Shea was shown the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Ismaila Sarr. From the free-kick from the right, Blues keeper Aro Muric half came for it before opting not to and O’Shea flicked it behind. From the corner, Town looked to break but Jack Clarke was fouled by Doucouré, who was booked.

Five minutes later, Maxence Lacroix headed well over from a Palace corner, then a minute later referee Pawson spoke at length to Morsy after Eberechi Eze had lost his footing but won a free-kick.

Palace were getting on top and presenting the greatest danger, and as the game moved to the half hour, a Doucouré shot was diverted over the bar by Greaves, O’Shea and Mateta clashing heads in the build-up and the Town defender requiring treatment and a bandage for a badly cut head.

Town were without the Irish international for the subsequent corner but Chalobah headed into the back of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand.

The Blues were coming under pressure and in the 36th minute a slip at the back allowed Mateta to run towards goal but Greaves blocked.

Moments later, Greaves was in the way of a Palace effort again, turning the ball away from goal at the far post after Daniel Munoz sent an effort across goal from Tyrick Mitchell’s pull -back.

In the 38th minute, Eze had the visitors’ clearest chance of the half after Mateta’s pass from the right played the England international in on goal the wrong side of Burns. The Wales international did well to put the former QPR man under pressure as he ran in on goal and his shot when it came was too close to Muric, who saved.

Town, who had had a period of the player going one way and the pass the other whenever they were looking to break, began to get more of a foothold back in the game as the half moved into its final five minutes.

In the penultimate scheduled minute, Burns tried a speculative effort from distance which won a corner, from which Harry Clarke flicked at the near-post, Delap helped on and Henderson blocked on the line.

Town were the ones pressing at the end of three minutes of additional time with the half having been evenly balanced with both sides having had spells on top and a couple of chances apiece.

Palace had started on the front foot but the Blues had had the first opportunity through O’Shea, then had a spell on top.

The visitors took charge in the middle period when Town game under significant pressure but the Blues were beginning to come more into it close the the break following a scruffy middle period when too many passes were going astray when they were going forward.

Palace made a change ahead of the second half, Doucouré making way for Lerma in midfield.

Town created the first chance of the period, Hutchinson, who had had a quieter than usual first half, bringing the ball forward in space down the middle and feeding Burns on the right, from where the Welshman sent over a cross, which Delap headed straight at Henderson.

On 48, Eze struck the Eagles’ first effort of the half, a low shot from the edge of the box which O’Shea blocked for a corner which came to nothing.

Town began to get more control and pass the ball around with greater confidence, a spell of possession in the 55th minute ending with O’Shea shooting over from distance.

Three minutes later, Will Hughes was booked for going through the back of Jack Clarke with the former Sunderland man breaking into the Palace half after Greaves had made a strong tackle to end a visitors’ attack.

Town had made a decent start to the second half but in the 59th minute, Palace went ahead.

Eze played a ball from the left forward for Mateta, his marker Greaves lost his footing as they battled, giving the Frenchman a free run at goal into the left of the area. Harry Clarke tried to get back but Mateta was able to lift the ball over Muric and into the corner of the net before running away to the left to celebrate in front of the travelling support.

The Blues, who had presented little threat since going behind, made a double change on 66, Conor Chaplin, Jack Taylor and Nathan Broadhead replacing Burns, Cajuste and Jack Clarke with Hutchinson moving to wide right.

Two minutes later, Palace might have gone two in front, Eze playing in Mateta in a similar position to the one from which he had scored. This time Muric was able to save with his foot.

In the 70th minute, Leif Davis, making his 100th league appearance for the club, got down the left and crossed for the first time, but his ball in was just behind Delap and a defender nodded it out at the far post ahead of Hutchinson.

Five minutes later, Delap fouled Munoz on the touchline, a frustrated looking challenge, taking the striker to 32 fouls for the season, more than anyone else in the Premier League.

On 76, Palace brought on Justin Devenny for Eze, then two minutes later Greaves was yellow-carded for a foul on Sarr. In the 79th minute, Delap was replaced by Ali Al-Hamadi.

The Iraq international immediately instilled some impetus in the Town attack, Morsy eventually screwing a shot wide from the edge of the area. Moments later, Chalobah was swapped for Chris Richards.

Hutchinson was also beginning to have an impact down the right, sending over a dangerous cross-shot on 83, then seeing a cutback towards Broadhead stopped by Hughes two minutes later.

In the 86th minute, Al-Hamadi was felled by Lacroix just outside the area to the left and from the free-kick Town went very close to levelling.

Davis took the free-kick short to Chaplin on the edge of the box with everyone anticipating a cross. Chaplin turned and chipped a ball to the far post and Greaves headed across the six-yard area towards Al-Hamadi and Broadhead, the ball hitting the post, then going out of play off the Welshman. It was a well-worked free-kick which deserved more.

Boos rang around the ground as an implausibly scant three additional minutes was announced as Sarr was booked for a foul on the edge of the Town box on Greaves before being replaced by Eddie Nketiah.

Town huffed and puffed in the closing stages and moments before the whistle Palace broke away through Mateta, who moments earlier had been booked, but the goalscorer was unable to find unmarked teammates in the middle.

For the second time in four days, the Blues were defeated by a single goal, the game having swung one way and the other before Palace’s goal.

However, as at Forest on Saturday, Town lacked the guile to cause the opposition too many problems in their penalty area, aside from Greaves’s late header from the set piece.

Other than that, Palace were comfortable, having had chances to add to their lead, and were ultimately worthy of only their second Premier League win of the season.

The Blues, who remain 19th, fall to their third home defeat of the campaign and are still looking for their first win at Portman Road of 2024/25 but have another chance to break that duck when they host AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.

Town: Muric, H Clarke, O'Shea, Greaves, Davis, Morsy (c), Cajuste (Taylor 66), Burns (Chaplin 66), Hutchinson, J Clarke (Broadhead 66), Delap (Al-Hamadi 79). Unused: Walton, Johnson, Townsend, Phillips, Szmodics.

Palace: Henderson, Chalobah (Richards 81), Lacroix, Guehi (c), Munoz, Hughes, Doucouré (Lerma 46), Mitchell, Sarr (Nketiah 90), Eze (Devenny 76), Mateta. Unused: Turner, Richards, Ward, Clyne, Kporha, Schlupp. Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire). VAR official: Chris Kavanagh. Att: 29,533 (Palace: 2,939).

Photo: Matchday Images

blueboy1981 added 23:44 - Dec 3 That was a ‘need to win’ game - and we never even looked like doing so from start to finish. No point in excuses !!
8

OohArrPaulGoddard added 23:53 - Dec 3 On the plus side our subs came on am livened things up a bit. Gives us some options for Sunday
3

Bert added 23:53 - Dec 3 A grim game against a below average opposition but one that pressed us so hard that the pips were squeaking. An awful advert for a PL game. That said, defensively we were ok but Palace man marked us out of the game. For a team that did not expect to be in the PL so quickly we are not shipping goals but with limited options up front we aren’t finding the net either. We are at our best when the opposition allows spaces for us to run into but the lower order teams don’t do that. A dilemma for KMcK but support the team we must.

6

armchaircritic59 added 00:58 - Dec 4 I think the post just above by Bert, contained an important line. " For a team that did not expect to be in the Premier League so quickly ". I no longer attend live matches due mainly to health reasons, but go all the back to 1962 for my first one, seen many, a number away too. So here is my take on the match from in front of an Amazon screen! It's beginning to look like it might be too big a step too soon, but there is still plenty of time. Those of you who were in attendance will have a better all round perspective than me. One player I'd find hard to fault was O'Shea, and considering the back problems he's battled through and the nasty gash to the forehead he got, we will need a few more with his attiude over the coming months. Some glimpses of genuine class from Cajuste in the first half, need to get him involved more on the ball. Felt a bit sorry for Delap, not sure what he's supposed to do when balls are played up to him, and if he can manage to hold it up or win a header, he was surrounded by about 3 defenders most of the time, and often no town shirt in sight. The rest much of a muchness, too much slow passing sideways and backwards, pretty much what others have said on here. I could single out one or two players I was disappointed with, but I think that's possibly counter productive , so I'll pass, ( not sideways or backwards! ) Looks like we may need to take a big step backwards in order to take two foward again, time will tell.

14

shakytown added 01:03 - Dec 4 We huff and we puff but sadly some of our players are just not premier league quality. Hard decisions to be made in January and a few fan favorites need to move on if we are to survive. Not bad players just not premier quality and some of the younger guys need a season to learn what it's all about. We look so small physically against every team and there are no bad players in this league.

9

clint_eastwood added 02:23 - Dec 4 It's official. Burns is definitely a League One player. No doubt about it.
3

Ebantiass added 05:38 - Dec 4 It's easy to jump on the players backs when we loose but they gave it their best. As i said at the start of the season Burns is sadly way out of his depth as is Harry Clarke but Clarke did very well Burns has no clue really. In his defence he's being asked to track back a lot more than previously. Jack Clarke was energetic and forward running into space and often trouble. If we get nothing at home to Palarse Everton and alike then unfortunately the future looks bleak. BLUEARMY forever

4

dirtydingusmagee added 05:43 - Dec 4 Disastrous, not blaming manager or players ,fact is we are just not good enough for the Prem we will go down again and have to start again
9

shakytown added 06:08 - Dec 4 Clint. Like a few others Burns is a very good championship level player who is just not up to the premier league. No where near a league one player and showed in the past 2 seasons. the gap is however looking insurmountable for a few of last years team and hard decisions need and i believe will to be made. No need to insult players who have done wonders for our club.
7

bluebullet29l added 06:19 - Dec 4 We are now officially the Premier league whipping boys....
-1

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:20 - Dec 4 Disappointing effort from the crowd last night. The Palace fans showed us how it should be done. When your team is down, you should encourage them, but the atmosphere was very flat. Do we only sing when we're winning? I am not at all surprised by the result as I predicted a loss before the start. Palace have got important players back compared to earlier in the season, and they are (will be) a mid-table side with several years of PL experience. It will be hard to stay up now, but let's show our support for all the progress that has been made over the last two years and come back stronger if we go down. COYB!

6

SpiritOfJohn added 07:32 - Dec 4 Unfortunately, lots of similarities with the Everton game last night, although I felt that Palace were better than Everton, and we showed some improvement over that performance, but not enough to take any points. This is the reality of the Premier League, we have been playing catch up since game 1 and we are not yet at the level we need when playing teams who set up defensively against us. In these types of games Hutchinson offers far more on the right and we looked like we had a threat once he went out wide, with Broadhead also showing that he could be the answer on the left. Defensively we were solid with O'Shea and Greaves winning nearly everything, but as we saw it only takes one slip up in this league and it will be punished. Davis, Morsy, Cajuste and Delap all look the part. The two Clarkes both had their best games so far at this level, but still need to find further improvements to compete. Muric has settled and is starting to show that he is a decent keeper. We need to find an extra 5 to 10% in order to start winning these games, and find it before it is too late. In McKenna we trust!

6

peewee added 07:47 - Dec 4 Wasn't the one win we had, we play a 343. I feel that it gives the wing players chance to play more especially leif who wants to be up the wing. Like tonight a AM is played out the game and so was delap, but I feel he was trying to hard and didn't have as much hold up play as hirst does. Tonight we ran out of ideas it was bk to to the keeper. Tactics need to change as last night was shocking to watch

2

RegencyBlue added 08:44 - Dec 4 Harry Clarke and Burns are not good enough for the PL and the fact they started shows the overall lack of depth in the squad. Injuries have killed us and I don’t see us getting out of this frankly.
6

chalky added 08:49 - Dec 4 The current squad lacks the kind of inner steel and swagger that typified the 20000nside under Burley and Matt Holland. When is J Clarke going to turn up?
2

chalky added 08:49 - Dec 4 The current squad lacks the kind of inner steel and swagger that typified the 20000nside under Burley and Matt Holland. When is J Clarke going to turn up?
1

Alphawhiskey added 09:03 - Dec 4 Portman Road was like a library last night. So so quiet... Its clear to see that the squad is so weak. Many players are not premier league standard. Burns is so far out of his depth as is H Clarke. We also have young players who are still a bit green. J Clarke isn't quite Premier yet, Hutch blows hot and cold and Delap has a lot to learn. I think we went up too soon, Its a sad fact to see that we are not good enough. Ok there is a long way to go but if you can beat teams like Palace, Leicester, Everton etc at home then what chance do we have? Things may change but i think we all have to agree that there is a very very good chance we will go down. Its not a bad thing though, More games, better games, and we go up again in a better position. Look how how Burnley and Sheffield utd are smashing up the Championship!

1

senduntd added 09:03 - Dec 4 Very noticable that whenever Omari got the ball he had 3 players marking him same for Delap. They didn't have a chance.
1

DBlockDieHard added 09:23 - Dec 4 We were poor last night though Palace have got good players and their league position a bit misleading. Think KmK maybe got it a bit wrong last night, then again not sure what else he can do with players at disposal. Right side is our main issue IMO, opposition know this and means keeps Leigh out of the attack. Seemed so much play was down our right. When Leigh did get a cross in it was perfect! Jens looks a seriously good player and compliments Morsey - got to play him with either Phillips or Morsey - quicker and can play that final ball. Disappointing result but not defining. Small concern lack of goals at moment. Defence was leaky at the start of season when goals looked easier - total reversal now. Think need to get through to Jan not too far adrift and seriously strengthen with a right back, right winger, back up striker and probs cover for Leigh. Got to get behind them and KmK. Palace aren't a bad side so hopefully a blip of a performance rather than a bad result.

1

londontractorboy57 added 09:42 - Dec 4 What I can't understand yes close it down against top six clubs ,when your playing against teams no better than us why don't we resort to what we do best quick free flowing football?
3

yorkieblue62 added 09:43 - Dec 4 Whatever the shortcomings of this team...and there are many... you have to reflect on the fact that the Premier League has never been stronger and that if we cannot compete with a good manager & having spent over £100m then it is inevitable that most promoted Championship sides will go the same way...back down. However clubs like Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford have proved that it is possible to find the right formula for survival, sometimes it takes more than one go.

2

blueboy1981 added 09:54 - Dec 4 It looks very much like we have spent £100million plus - to be Relegated. We could have done that with the Promoted squad of players we had ! - and without the ‘spending’. The Owners WILL have taken note of such - Rest Assured of that. At least the McKenna head hunting list will be reducing with each game, if that’s a concern for you !
1

Tractorboy58 added 10:08 - Dec 4 The one player who really disappoints me is Muric - decent shot stopper but just stays fixed on his line and doesn't dominate the box - too slow and nervous looking - give Walton the gloves !
3

hamish added 10:23 - Dec 4 Poet good post, absolutely nailed it. there's a couple more names you could add to your ineffective list too. OTOH we should note that Cajuste looks like he could be the real deal. I get why KMc brought on Al Hamedi, but he is so far out of his depth it is actually a little embarrassing.
0

Westy added 10:59 - Dec 4 Devoid of ideas in the last 30 minutes or so. Had several opportunities to get the ball in the mixer but always wanted that extra pass and the chance was gone. Several times too when we were in the final third and ended up passing the ball back to our keeper. Based on that performance we are going backwards.
2

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