August 21 2008

Kieran Djilali

Crystal Palace's reserves got their season off to a flyer with a comfortable 3-1 win at home to Charlton.

Keith Curle fielded a strong Palace line-up with Jose Fonte and Lee Hills plus players on their way out of the club Shefki Kuqi, Dougie Freedman, Ben Watson and Paul Ifill.

And they got off to the perfect start against a youthful Charlton outfit with notable names Darren Ambrose and Svetoslav Todorov.

With just a minute gone on the clock, Ifill put Palace in front with a low finish from close range after a fine run and cross from young right-back Nathaniel Clyne.

The lead was doubled after 14 minutes as a Watson corner pinballed around the Addicks box and Johannes Ertl diverted past goalkeeper Rob Elliot.

At the start of the second half, Charlton appealed for a penalty that was dismissed by the referee and Palace went on to make it 3-0 with a strike from substitute Kieran Djilali.

Watson's corner took a couple of deflections before falling perfectly for Djilali who hit a bicycle kick beyond Elliot from six yards.

Stuart Fleetwood grabbed a consolation for the Addicks after collecting Steve Lozano-Calderon's throughball and slotting past the out-rushing David Wilkinson.

Palace: Wilkinson, Clyne, Ertl, Fonte, Hills (Abnett 46), Ifill (Djilali 46), Comley, Watson, Freedman, Drayton, Kuqi (Thomas 65).

Not used: Bingham, Dalhouse.

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