September 20 2008

Paddy McCarthy

Crystal Palace's miserable start to the season continued with a 2-1 defeat at home to Plymouth Argyle.

Plymouth began the encounter brightly as Luke Summerfield and Paul Gallagher tried their luck with free-kicks.

Palace had a penalty appeal turned down after Ben Watson tangled with Craig Cathcart in the box, while Jose Fonte blasted over the bar.

Danny Butterfield went closest to scoring by forcing Argyle keeper Romain Larrieu to palm his effort over. Then an even better chance followed when Clint Hill had a header from Watson's corner cleared off the line by Summerfield.

But it was the visitors who stole the lead in the 28th minute when Summerfield passed his short corner to Gallagher and the on-loan Blackburn striker hit a looping shot over Julian Speroni and into the net.

Larrieu nearly conceded an equaliser after letting Watson's cross slip out of his hands, but he made ammends with a fine save to keep out Paul Ifill's vicious volley.

Alan Lee, who had missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury, came off at the break with Victor Moses replacing the Irishman in attack.

Moses almost grabbed a goal with one of his first touches, controlling well before lashing a volley that Larrieu clawed over.

Shaun Derry was next to test the Plymouth goal, hitting a shot from the edge of the box narrowly wide, then Larrieu blocked a goalmouth effort from Nick Carle.

Plymouth then increased their advantage in the 56th minute through Gallagher. He picked up the ball in midfield, brushed past Matt Lawrence and fired a low rasper into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

Eagles substitute Paddy McCarthy nodded in Watson's corner for a consolation and they now slip to fourth bottom in the table.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Lawrence, Fonte, Hill,Ifill, Watson, Carle (McCarthy 66), Derry, Djilali (Griffit 72), Lee (Moses 46).

Not Used: Fletcher, Oster.

Plymouth: Larrieu, Doumbe, Seip, Cathcart, Barker (Timar 88),Mackie (Folly 78), Duguid, Gallagher (Easter 83), Summerfield,Clark, Fallon.

Not Used: Marin, Mpenza.

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