A quickfire double from Aron Gunnarsson and Don Cowie has given Cardiff City a 2-0 half-time lead over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Craig Bellamy returned to the Bluebirds lineup after missing the midweek win over Millwall and had a positive influence on his side's first-half display.

Icelandic international Gunnarsson opened the scoring after 13 minutes, before Cowie, awarded a start ahead of Craig Noone, doubled Cardiff's advantage just 60 seconds later.

Gunnarsson ran from deep before losing control of the ball, only for it to ricochet into his path off Palace defender Peter Ramage, and he took advantage of his good fortune to slot past Julian Speroni in the Eagles' net.

Cowie's goal was down to skill more than luck, as he volleyed in superbly after Bellamy's initial shot was well blocked.