October 22 2011

Paddy McCarthy

Crystal Palace cruised into third place in the Championship after a 1-0 win at Ipswich.

Eagles skipper Paddy McCarthy netted the only goal of the game as Palace claimed a third straight win and third consecutive clean sheet in the league for the first time in more than two years.

Palace began brightly with Wilfried Zaha causing a threat to the Town defence, while Lee Bowyer headed a Carlos Edwards cross wide for the hosts.

Glenn Murray then had a goal-bound shot cleared by Ipswich defender Damien Delaney before Palace keeper Julian Speroni made a fine save to tip over Jay Emmanuel-Thomas' effort.

Murray headed onto the roof of the net but Palace got the breakthrough in the 55th minute through McCarthy. Sean Scannell's free-kick came back to the striker and he sent in a low cross that McCarthy poked home.

Palace stepped up with pressure with Ipswich goalkeeper David Stockdale saving well from Scannell.

Emmanuel-Thomas's strike was pushed over the bar by Speroni as they tried to grab an equaliser before Aaron Cresswell's sending off in stoppage time for a second booking.

Ipswich: Stockdale, Edwards, Collins, Delaney (Ingimarsson 48), Cresswell, Bowyer, Bullard (Chopra 60), Leadbitter, Andrews, Emmanuel-Thomas, Ellington (Scotland 60).

Not Used: Lee-Barrett, Wabara.

Palace: Speroni, Clyne, McCarthy, Gardner, Jedinak, Zaha, Dikgacoi (Williams 74), Wright, Scannell (Easter 88), Parr, Murray.

Not Used: Price, O'Keefe, Ramage.

Today's results and scorers

2011/12 match reports

2011/12 squad stats

Championship table

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