September 30 2008

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace secured South London bragging rights with a 1-0 win over Charlton at Selhurst Park.

On-loan West Brom striker Craig Beattie was on target to head home Ben Watson's deep cross from the right to give the Eagles a much-needed victory over their neighbours.

It was the Eagles' first league triumph over the Valley club since 1996.

Palace began this local derby in confident mood, winning five corners in the first few minutes with Watson's deliveries causing problems for the Addicks defence.

Charlton hardly inspired as the game petered out before Palace teenager Victor Moses threatened with a superb run and shot that went narrowly wide of the goal.

Paul Ifill almost broke the deadlock but Nicky Weaver pushed out his drive from Danny Butterfield's cross. From the resulting corner, Weaver was forced to tip Beattie's header onto the bar.

Moments into the second half, Nick Carle had a shot blocked by Weaver and Ifill sliced the rebound off target with the goal at his mercy. He almost made ammends for his miss by later shooting Clint Hill's cross inches wide.

Then three minutes past the hour mark, Beattie secured the win by climbing above Linvoy Primus and diverting his header past the out-stretched arms of Weaver.

Palace almost clinched a second goal as Jose Fonte's header smashed against the crossbar.

It's a second win of the season for Palace which lifts them out of the bottom three of the Championship table.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, McCarthy, Fonte, Hill, Ifill, Watson, Carle (Fletcher 82), Derry, Moses (Scannell 90), Beattie (Kuqi 82).

Not Used: Lawrence, Oster.

Charlton: Weaver, Cranie, Primus, Hudson, Youga, Sam (Todorov 70), Ambrose (Zhi 70), Holland (Gray 70), Bailey, Bouazza, Varney.

Not Used: Elliot, Semedo.

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