14/09/12 League Charlton Athletic (a) 1-0 win

A two week break for international games was the build up. It probably wasn't ideal seeing as our first win was in the game on the other side. But that may prove to be the turning point. Regardless of how the game was portrayed on the television highlights, the home side were not all over us. I admit, we could not convert our first half posession into goals. But it was coming. Wilf turning Charlton full back and ex-Palace players Rhoys Wiggins into so many knots that he had to go off to be undone. Even the Wright-Phillips goal that wasn't couldn't dampen the spirits of the fantastic Palace fans. It was even better as Wright-Phillips reeled away in front of the away faithful finger on lips suggesting to quieten the crowd only for the linesman to raise his flag. Priceless.

Kagisho Dikgacoi. Our very own South African. Played for his country against Brazil in the break and brought some of that samba style to South London. The cross was irrelevant. The 51st minute chest down and volley into the back of the net wasn't. It was Palace's first league win against Charlton at The Valley since 1968. The away end went stupid, crazy and mental. The commentators had already driven me mad. They continued to do so for the rest of the game. Perhaps that was ust nerves. Palace never do things simply. The rest of the second half was for the home team to find a way back into the game. Palace had no need to push forward but with Wilf and Bolasie the options were always there. As expected, Charlton had chances, nothing clear cut, but so did Palace. Speroni made two wonderful saves and the three points were ours.

A very solid back line led by Delaney, an outstanding game for Garvan. Murray ably leading the line with support from Zaha and Bolasie. Things are on the up.

View from TheEaglesBeak; South London is ours. The fans that travelled the short distance were incredible. Made me proud to watch as did the players putting in such a performance. Onwards and upwards.

01 Speroni
27 Delaney
28 Ramage
04 Parr
07 Bolasie - booked (Williams 74')
08 Dikgacoi GOAL 51'
10 Garvan
14 Blake
15 Jedinak - booked
16 Zaha (Ward 90')
17 Murray - booked (Wilbraham 87')

Unused substitutes; 34 Price, 21 Moxey, 30 Moritz, 09 Goodwillie

Referee; Bates
Attendence; 21,730