Crystal Palace are on the verge of getting out of the drop zone after pulling off two straight wins in the Premier League. They're looking like a much more organized bunch under new boss Tony Pulis and hardly gave Cardiff City a look at goal in their 2-0 win on Saturday.
Crystal Palace vs. Cardiff City: Final score 2-0, Tony Pulis flying high
A managerial change has done Crystal Palace good. They got in the win column again, this time taking down Cardiff.
Cameron Jerome failed to do anything with a golden chance in the 4th minute, but he made up for his error just two minutes later, scoring the game's opening goal. His finish was made easy by Jason Puncheon, who delivered a pinpoint cross into the box for Jerome to head in from close range, scoring his first Premier League goal for the club.
Palace were forced into an early substitution when Dean Moxey picked up an injury, necessitating the introduction of Adrian Mariappa, but their defense didn't skip a beat after making the switch.
Marouane Chamakh doubled Palace's lead in the 57th minute with a brilliant finish, though the setup was a bit lucky. On a cross into the box by Barry Bannan, Ben Turner attempted to clear away but could only head the ball as far as Chamakh, who was standing just outside the penalty area. He chested down, then placed a gorgeous half-volley to the far post, putting his team up 2-0.
There were a few more half-chances for Palace — they were controversially denied a goal in the 70th minute off a goal-line scramble where they thought the ball crossed the line — but they didn’t need another goal with their defense hanging on to a clean sheet.
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Moxey (Mariappa 25’), Gabbidon, Delaney, Ward, Bannan (O’Keefe 84’), Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Puncheon, Chamakh, Jerome
Goals: Jerome (6’), Chamakh (57’)
Cardiff: Marshall, Theopile, Caulker, Turner, John, Medel, Mutch, Whittingham, Kim (Odemwingie 60’), Campbell (Cornelius 75’), Cowie (Noone 45’)
Goals: None
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