November 7 2012

Glenn Murray

Crystal Palace soar to the top of the Championship after thrashing Ipswich Town 5-0.

Ian Holloway started his first game in charge of the Eagles with the same team which beat Blackburn at the weekend.

Palace could have taken the lead as early as the first minute when Yannick Bolasie's pass found Glenn Murray, who turned and shot just past the post.

However it wasn't too much longer before Palace were ahead through a chip over the keeper by Bolasie - his first goal for the Eagles.

With the score 1-0 at half time Wilfried Zaha turned on the magic in the second half.

Five minutes after the restart, the 19-year-old cut in from the left, beat two defenders before being tripped by Luke Chambers in the box.

Glenn Murray put away the resulting penalty to make it 2-0.

After 5 more minutes, Jonathan Parr crossed to the far post where Aaron Cresswell pushed Owen Garvan and the referee pointed to the spot again.

Glenn Murray, who scored two goals against Blackburn on Saturday, put away his second goal of this game, beating Stephen Henderson from the spot.

Murray had the chance to make it a hat-trick of penalties on 62 minutes when Garvan was fouled again, this time by Chambers.

Murray hit his third spot kick straight at Henderson.

It wasn't too long though before the former Brighton striker got his second hat-trick of the season.

Joel Ward's brilliant run and cross was met by Murray in the 6 yard box, and he made no mistake this time, to make it 4-0 to the Eagles.

Ipswich tried in vain to get a consolation goal, but were hit by Palace on the break in the 90th minute as Parr and André Moritz exchanged passes for the Brazilian to score Palace's fifth and final goal.

The win takes Palace to the top of the Championship.

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