Crystal Palace - 0
West Bromwich Albion - 2 (Hughes 32. Maresca 35.)

West Bromwich Albion travelled to Selhurst Park sporting a record that was similar to Palace's a few seasons ago. So far this season they have been undefeated away, but are yet to register their first win at home. As we found out, it is very difficult to mount a serious challenge with such a record. By contrast Palace entered the match in turmoil as to what was happening to the Club, and it is merely surprising that The Baggies took so long to ensure that the points would be theirs.

The visitors started the stronger of the two teams, with Kevin Kilblane and Lee Hughes missing perfect opportunities to open the scoring.

Finally, with over half an hour gone, they took the lead when a free kick lead to a goalmouth scramble, the ball finally falling for Hughes to simply force the ball over the line from just a yard out.

They then stunned the home crowd with another strike just three minutes later when Enzo Maresca collected the ball from the halfway mark, made a run down field, and let loose a shot from 35 yards.

The ball went straight past the defenceless Fraser Digby, to put the team two down, with little chance to get back in the match.

In the second half Albion really should have finished off the match when they had no less than three chances to score again, but a resolute defence, and that old favourite called luck, kept the scoreline down.

Simon Rodger and Jamie Fullarton both had chances to pull a goal back, but Alan Miller was in good form, keeping both chances out. The visitors then managed to sort out their defensive problems and saw out the rest of the game without further incident, and unfortunately for our supporters another three points went away from Selhurst Park.

Until such time as the player transfer embargo is again lifted, more of the same can only follow.

Colin Pryce

Crystal Palace: Fraser Digby, Dean Austin, David Woozley, Andy Linighan, Terry Phelan, Steve Thomson, Hayden Mullins, Simon Rodger, Jamie Fullarton, Matthias Svensson, Fernando Der Ornelas (Andrew Martin 79).

Substitutes not used: Matthew Gregg, Andrew Frampton, Chris Sharpling, James Hibburt.

West Bromwich Albion: Alan Miller, Larus Sigurdsson, Paul Raven, Matthew Carbon, Andrew McDermott, Sean Flynn, Richard Sneekes, Enzo Maresca, Kevin Kilblane, Jimmy Quinn, Lee Hughes.

Substitutes not used: Jason Van Blerk, Daryl Burgess, Fabien De Freitas, Chris Adamson, Danny Gabbidon.

Attendance: 12,203

Referee: Mr M Jones (Chester).