October 23 2007

Dougie Freedman

Crystal Palace lose 3-1 at home to Stoke City in Neil Warnock's first home match in charge.

Warnock made three changes from the side that drew at Blackpool at the weekend. Clinton Morrison returned to the starting line-up in the place of Dougie Freedman, and there were also starts for Paul Dickov and Matt Lawrence.

Palace had good spells of possession in the first half, and it was Dickov who had the Eagles' first good chance at goal when he was set free down the left, but his shot was saved by Steve Simonsen in the Stoke goal.

Further chances for Morrison and Tony Craig followed but it was Stoke who ended the first half the stronger.

Dickov was replaced by Freedman on 35 minutes after coming off worse in a challenge for the ball.

A further change was forced upon Warnock at half-time, when Ben Watson picked up an injury and was replaced by Jose Fonte.

Only four minutes after the restart, Stoke were ahead - Dominic Matteo swung in an early free kick and Richard Cresswell nodded in past Julian Speroni at the far post.

Palace were quickly back on level terms though when Scowcroft put Freedman into the box, and his early toe poke shot found the back of the net.

Stoke went ahead again on 59 minutes when Cresswell struck again. Liam Lawrence's shot at goal hit the left upright, and the former Sheffield Wednesday striker made no mistake from 12 yards.

Palace were further stunned 15 mins later when Delap hit a shot from 30 yards which cannoned off the crossbar, and then Shawcross headed the rebound back onto the bar, which then dropped just over the line.

Palace tried to muster a chance, but were continually frustrated by a resolute Stoke defence.

The defeat leaves Warnock plenty to think about before Monday night's match against Watford.

Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, Hudson, Cort, Craig, Fletcher, Watson (Fonte, 46), Martin (Green, 64), Scowcroft, Morrison, Dickov (Freedman, 35)

Subs not used: Idrizaj, Hughes