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Live Commentary: Crystal Palace 2-0 Leicester City - as it happened

Relive all of the action in Sports Mole's live commentary as Crystal Palace beat Leicester City 2-0 at Selhurst Park.
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Second-half goals from Fraizer Campbell and Mile Jedinak helped Crystal Palace to a 2-0 win over high-flying Leicester City at Selhurst Park.

The game came to life five minutes after the break as Campbell flicked a Scott Dann header past Kasper Schmeichel to open the scoring.

It got better for Neil Warnock's side just four minutes later after Jedinak glanced a Jason Puncheon free kick beyond Schmeichel to seal the Eagles' second successive victory.

Below, you can see how the clash transpired with our minute-by-minute live commentary.


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Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of Crystal Palace's Premier League clash with Leicester City at Selhurst Park.

With Leicester new to the Premier League, and Palace being, well, Palace, this afternoon's clash would not have been earmarked for fireworks when the fixture list was announced a few months back. However, it is fair to say that events of last week have altered the complexion of this one, wouldn't you agree? Both teams were involved in games where a total of 13 goals were scored last Sunday!

If you did not hear about Leicester's 5-3 win over Manchester United then, firstly, welcome back from the South Pole. The Foxes came from 3-1 down to beat United last Sunday in easily the shock result of the season thus far. Palace, meanwhile, went to Goodison Park and beat Everton 3-2 later that day. Yep, Sunday really was the day of the underdog my friends, but this one is far more evenly matched and both teams will fancy their chances at getting the win. They probably have to, too!

Beating United is fantastic, and it'll be remembered as a Premier League classic for years to come, but will the victory count for anything if Leicester go and lose today? Sure, they've boxed well against the big teams, drawing with Everton and Arsenal before restricting free-scoring Chelsea to just a two-goal win at Stamford Bridge, but does this mean that victories against the lesser opponents will come easily? Of course not.

By virtue of a very tricky start, I'd argue that the challenge of Palace perhaps represents Leicester's first real test of the season because it is the first game in which they're expected to pick up a result. Holding your own against the big teams is all good and well, but there are only about six of them in the division; It is games like today, against teams of similar quality, which will determine where Leicester - currently eighth in the table - finish up in May.

Newly-promoted Hull City were third in the table by the end of October in their 2008-09 campaign, yet they finished one point above the relegation zone. Food for thought, eh? Nigel Pearson will know that his side's label of the 'surprise package' only applies until teams figure out how to beat them, and they've attracted plenty of attention thus far. Today is a big test. Make no mistake about it.

We will have a look at Crystal Palace a little later but let's crack on with the team news, shall we? I'll have this imminently, but why not check out what the boys on the sofa at Sports Mole HQ have had to say on this one in the mean time. See you in a minute.


Crystal Palace XI: Leicester: Speroni, Ward, Delaney, Dann, Kelly, Jedinak, Ledley, McArthur, Bolasie, Puncheon, Campbell

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan (c), Moore, Konchesky, Hammond, Cambiasso, Nugent, Drinkwater, Vardy, Ulloa

Crystal Palace subs: Hennessey, Mariappa, Guedioura, Doyle, Zaha, Gayle, Chamakh

Leicester City subs: Hamer, James, King, Schlupp, Simpson, Mahrez, Wasilewski

Okay let's delve into the teams and I can tell you that both Neil Warnock and Nigel Pearson have stuck with winning formulas and named unchanged lineups, following victories over Everton and Man United last week. Fraizer Campbell continues to lead the Palace attack after his goal last week, with Jason Puncheon, Yannick Bolasie and Joe Ledley in support.

Leicester also unchanged following their heroics against United, with star striker Leonardo Ulloa spearheading the attack once more, with David Nugent and Jamie Vardy in close support. Esteban Cambiasso also retain his selection in midfield, while Wes Morgan skippers the team as usual.

What do we make of the teams then? Not unexpected really, is it? Also, the eagle-eyed among you will have noticed Marouane Chamakh named on the Palace bench. The former Arsenal striker has sat out the last three games with a hamstring injury and he'll be glad to be back in contention after a decent opening to the season performance-wise. In terms of goals it's been, well, okay.

Finally, we can speak about Crystal Palace. Still unbeaten under Neil Warnock, the veteran manager has done well to steady the Palace ship after Tony Pulis's resignation, picking up two draws and a win at Goodison last week. He named no fewer than 11 changes for the midweek League Cup defeat to Newcastle, though, so it's clear that he's focusing solely on the Premier League. And can we blame him?

He was relegated with Sheffield United from the Premier League back in 2007, and he was sacked from QPR a few years ago incase he got them relegated, too. Warnock is fully aware that his job is to keep Palace in the top flight after they somehow avoided relegation under Pulis last term. All in all it's good to see Warnock back, jumping around in a tracksuit while so many of his contemporaries look like fashion models these days. He's the last of a dying breed.

One to watch: Only the freaklishly prolific Diego Costa has scored more Premier League goals than Leonardo Ulloa so far. With five goals in as many top-flight outings for the Foxes, it is clear that the Argentine is a major factor in the club's early-season form, but can he sustain it?

It's not unusual for a Premier League newcomer to blaze trails early on, and it's not uncommon to see their influence and goals diminsh as the season progresses. He has scored against Everton, Arsenal, and twice against United. Can he do it against Palace? Time will tell. They'll need him to score against teams of this ilk throughout the campaign.

Yep, Ulloa's goals will be massive, but how important will Esteban Cambiasso be to the Leicester cause this season? The Inter Milan legend bagged his first goal for the club in scoring against United last week, but it's his wealth of experience that makes for comforting reading if you're a Leicester fan. Two Champions League titles, five Serie A crowns, one La Liga and over a half-century of Argentina caps, the veteran midfielder has been around the block. He's back in the starting XI today so let's how he does.

Did you know? The last time these two faced off in a top-flight game was way back in 1998. Brimful Of Asha was in the charts and Emile Heskey was still good at football. Yep, that long ago. The former England striker scored twice that day in a 3-0 win for the Foxes.



Prediction! I know it is en vogue to jump on the Leicester bandwagon at the moment, and I am by no means a hipster, but I'm siding with Palace for this one. I think it's Leicester's first big test of the season for a number of reasons, one that I believe they will fail. 2-0 Palace win. Don't rush off to your local bookmakers on the back of my prediction because I haven't actually gone one right yet. five minutes to kickoff!

Right, both sets of players are out on the field and we're minutes away now.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we are officially off here at Selhurst Park folks.

Leicester, wearing their gold away shirt, have dominated the possession thus far and Palace haven't had a kick yet. The fans in good voice, though.

Kasper Schmeichel gets his first touch of the ball after coming out well to cut out a teasing Fraizer Campbell cross to prevent Bolasie from tapping home.

Leicester will have a chance to whip a free kick into the area now after Bolasie upended Richie de Laet. Bad tackle, but referee Keith Shroud is generous by keeping his cards in his pocket.

Cambiasso whips a left-footed free kick deep into Palace's box but the hosts comfortably deal with it. Fine delivery from the Argentine but nobody was on hand to get an all-important touch.

Chance! Leicester should be one up and it's Jamie Vardy who misses a golden chance. The forward found himself on the end of Ulloa's knock-down header inside the box but, instead of striking first time, Vardy took it inside Kelly and then shot but Julian Speroni was equal to it. Big chance. Big save.

Palace still finding their feet here. Just as I type that, Campbell gets on the end of Jason Puncheon's deep free kick but his header his too weak to test Schmeichel, who comfortably gathers.

Shot! Another decent chance for Leicester as David Nugent gallops through the Palace defence relatively unchallenged, before firing well over the bar from just outside the box. He really should have got that on target.

Shot! The Eagles now have their first shot of the game as Mile Jedinak takes aim from well outside the box and it's a fine strike, but Schmeichel does well to hold it.

The sting has been taken out of this one somewhat in recent minutes, with the lack of a ball causing an extended stoppage believe it or not. If I spot a ball boy I will let you know.

Off the line! Palace well on top and would have gone ahead if not for Cambiasso, who cleared Damien Delaney's header off the line from a corner. Fine delivery from Joe Ledley.

Chances! Neil Warnock's side have moved up a gear and then some! First, Schmeichel punches Jason Puncheon's curling effort away from goal, before Ledley gathers and crosses for the unmarked Campbell, who directed his header over the bar. Can't blame Puncheon, but Campbell should have done better.

Leicester have wasted a few corners in this opening half-an-hour, all of which came through Cambiasso. His delivery hasn't been the best from corners so far and he'll need to step it up a notch.

Really brave goalkeeping from Palace stopper Julian Speroni there, leaping high to collect a long ball under pressure from Ulloa, who knocked him over. Thankfully, Speroni is fine.

Bolasie has been giving De Laet a torrid time down that right-hand flank. Bolasie coasted past the left-back and flashed a teasing ball across Schmeichel's goal but nobody was on hand to knock it home.

Stat! Leicester boast 66% of the possession in this first half, with Palace obviously on 34%. It's emphatic, but apart from an early chance from Vardy, they've not done much with the ball.

Palace appeal for a penalty now after Bolasie goes down to ground after claiming to have been tugged back by De Laet. He had a case you know because there was contact, but who knows what constitutes a penalty anymore.

Cambiasso is down on the turf getting his knee massaged now, which is not a great sight from a Leicester perspective because the Argentine has been excellent thus far, barring a few dodgy corners. He looks alright now, however.

Half time: Crystal Palace 0-0 Leicester City

That's all she wrote for this half, my friends. Both sides were involved in goal-laden matches last weekend but it has looked anything but that today. They've both had chances but it's still goalless.

Just to give you a brief run-down about events elsewhere: Manchester City are in the process of doing a 'United' after spurning a two-goal lead away to Hull City. It's 2-2 there. The Red Devils themselves also went 2-0 up at home to West Ham, but the visitors pulled one back. It's 2-1 there. And Chelsea, the Premier League leaders, are a goal up at home to Aston Villa. It's goalless everywhere else, including Selhurst Park as we know.

So, where do we see this one going then? I predicted a 2-0 Palace win prior to kickoff and I'm sticking it. They weathered a brief storm of Leicester pressure early on, before gradually growing into the clash and Damien Delaney saw a header cleared off the line by the impressive Cambiasso. I expect the Eagles to get better as the game progresses.

Before we get back underway there's time to inform you that Sports Mole will also have live coverage of this evening's North London derby between Arsenal and Spurs at the Emirates. From one heated rivalry to another now and you can also join my colleagues at the Ryder Cup commentary to see what's what in Europe's three-day clash with USA in the golf. Find that here.

Right so, Crystal Palace get us back underway at Selhurst Park. Will this half see a few goals? Let's hope so. Stay tuned.

Chance! Huge chance for Leicester goes begging, and Scott Dann will be massively relieved. The defender's misjudged header allows Vardy to break free with the ball, before squaring to unmarked Nugent who fired at goal but his shot was deflected wide by Joel Ward. Good block or bad miss? I say the latter.

Goal!!! Crystal Palace 1-0 Leicester (Campbell)

And what a huge miss that Nugent opportunity has proved to be! Scott Dann leaps highest to meet Puncheon's corner, and Dann's header is flicked home by Fraizer Campbell from a yard out. Great reaction by the striker and Palace are a goal up.

Goal!!! Crystal Palace 2-0 Leicester (Jedinak)

What an unbeliveable start to this second half by Crystal Palace. Two goals in quick succession and it's Mile Jedinak this time, glancing a Jason Puncheon free kick past Schmeichel with a fine header. Credit to Yannick Bolasie, who won the free kick. Unbeliveable scenes. 2-0.

We said this was Leicester's first real test so far, playing against a similar team, and they're failing it as it stands. Still, they were two goals down against United last week, but it's a big ask to do it away from home, with Palace fans in fine voice now.

Oh dear Jamie Vardy needed to lift his head up here. Leicester break on the counter as Vardy gallops toward goal, but Nugent was free in the acre of space beside him, ready to go one-on-one with Speroni but his partner never saw him. Big chance to pick out Nugent there.

Substitution: Danny Simpson jogs on to the field for his Leicester debut after replacing Richie de Laet. Probably a wise move by Nigel Pearson because De Laet has been second best against the speedy Bolasie all afternoon.

Substitution: Esteban Cambiasso follows De Laet off the field as Riyad Mahrez replaces the Argentine in midfield. The Argentine looked a little irked to be coming off.

Leicester enjoying plenty of possession still but they're not really doing anything with it. Leonardo Ulloa, a huge part of their season so far with five goals, has been shackled well this afternoon. Not many outlets for them.

Substitution: Matt James replaces Dean Hammond in Nigel Pearson's final roll of the dice. Has he used all three subs wisely? I'm not so sure. Let's see if Leicester can get back into this one. Around 20 minutes left.

Substitution: Neil Warnock turns to his bench for the first time and calls goalscorer Fraizer Campbell ashore for Marouane Chamakh - his first appearance this month due to a hamstring injury.

Chance! And what an impact that would have been from Chamakh! The former Arsenal man heads narrowly over the bar from Joe Ledley's curling cross. Not the easiest of chances but Chamakh did well.

Oh dear Joel Ward is very lucky not to have conceded a penalty after seeming to drag Jamie Vardy down in the box. It's not a penalty, but it really should have been. Poor call by referee Keith Shroud.

Leicester just haven't been good enough from set pieces. They had a great chance to float a ball into the box just now from a free kick, but took it short and Jamie Vardy was soon dispossessed. Really poor.

Shot! Leonardo Ulloa has waited 86 minutes for a chance, and when he gets one Damien Delaney throws himself in the line of fire and the shot deflects it for a corner. That summed up his day.

Two minutes left now and both teams very much going through the motions. Palace not particularly bothered for a third, and Leicester look beaten.

Four minutes added on:

Chamakh has certainly been in the wars today since coming. He has just been clattered by Wes Morgan and, if you've ever seen the Leicester skipper, it must be like getting hit by a train!

Full time: Crystal Palace 2-0 Leicester City

That's all she wrote at Selhurst Park, folks. Second-half goals from Fraizer Campbell and Mile Jedinak give Palace a huge win over high-flying Leicester City. What's more is I finally got a pre-match prediction right. Did I have money on it? Foolishly, no. I'm happy enough with the kudos, though.

Anyways, that's all from us folks. Stay tuned for player ratings and match analysis and enjoy the weekend. Cheers.

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Yannick Bolasie of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on September 21, 2014
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