Taylor era starts with win

Peter Taylor's reign as Crystal Palace manager got off to the best possible start last Saturday after his side came back from a goal down to secure an all important opening day victory.

The Palace boss had kept both players and supporters guessing over his first choice 11 following his Sven-like mass substitutions in pre-season friendlies, but as previously suggested, Taylor went for the physical approach away from home and it worked wonders.

Mark Kennedy and new skipper Carl Fletcher beefed up the centre of midfield behind target man James Scowcroft and Clinton Morrison. Darren Ward's non-appearance provided the biggest shock, with Mark Hudson coming in to partner debutant Leon Cort.

The jubilation at full-time shown by some Eagles fans looked a long way off after a lethargic opening half hour where the hosts, eager to impress new boss Jim Magilton, took the game to Palace.

Ironically Palace wasted the first opportunity of the game when Morrison failed to direct Hudson's hooked cross towards goal. But the Tractor Boys soon took control. Richard Naylor twice headed Darren Currie right wing corners over before Alex Bruce found space outside the Palace box but his tame shot was easily gathered by Gabor Kiraly.

The hosts' pressure eventually paid off in the 31st minute when Nicky Forster raced past a stuttering Hudson and slotted past Kiraly.

The goal lifted an already bouyant Portman Road and Palace remained under the cosh. But needless fouls by Ipswich inside their own half provided light relief for the Eagles with Scowcroft becoming a nuisance to the Ipswich defence.

The former Coventry striker muscled his way through to head Fletcher's free-kick over before Forster once again got the better of Hudson at the other end but saw his shot from the angle saved by Kiraly.

Feeling ill before the match, Morrison was replaced by Dougie Freedman and the Scotsman was to have a major impact.

Danny Butterfield's right wing cross found Scowcroft who laid the ball back to Freedman but the substitute blazed over.

But Palace did not have to wait long to find the breakthrough. Scowcroft took a bang by winning a header inside the Palace box and the ball deflected into the path of Jobi McAnuff who slotted past Ipswich keeper Shane Supple for a deserved 58th minute equaliser.

Scowcroft then compounded his former club's misery by doubling the Eagles' lead two minutes later.

Butterfield's deep cross was met by Hudson and his header was cleared off the line only to fall for Scowcroft who bundled the ball home while on the floor.

The goal took the sting out of Ipswich and they never recovered. McAnuff was starting to reap havoc inside the hosts half as gaps started to appear.

Ipswich's rare glimpses of goal were eaten up by the Palace defence, with Leon Cort looking especially mean.

The former Hull defender made a stunning block on Jaime Peters goalbound shot before Kennedy cleared from a goal mouth scramble as Ipswich threw everything at Palace.

But it was Peter Taylor's day as Palace held on to secure the club's first opening day win since the club's 2003-04 promotion season - a good omen perhaps?

Crystal Palace: Kiraly 7, Butterfield 7, Hudson 6, Cort 7, Granville 7, McAnuff 8, Kennedy 7 (Watson 82 6), Fletcher 7, Soares 7, Scowcroft 8, Morrison 6 (Freedman 46 8)Star man: James Scowcroft. The former Ipswich striker may not be the most elegant of players but his physical presence created a number of opportunities and he capped a fine display with the winner.