An upbeat Terry Venables refused to let Bolton's injury-time equaliser spoil his Selhurst Park homecoming on Saturday.

Hiding his disappointment, Venables talked positively about his team's second-half display and remained confident that his young Eagles are on course for a good season starting with Sunday's televised match with Birmingham.

He said he was encouraged by his side's efforts against a very experienced and strong Bolton side: "We did very well in the second half but lacked the knowhow to kill the game off. We dictated the play, took the game to them and broke their rhythm. We made a lot of chances, reacted very well after the first half and looked the side that would win the game."

He added: "We worked very hard in tough conditions and there was enough to suggest that we will be good to watch and efficient to play against."

Certainly the performances of goal-scorers Matt Jansen, and Sasa Curcic would suggest Eagles fans will get plenty of entertainment for their money.

Curcic's sublime skills at times mesmerised his former side and his exquisitely controlled volley looked like opening the floodgates early in the second half.

Minutes earlier Matt Jansen had capitalised on a fortunate break in the box to equalise Dean Holdsworth's first-half curler.

But for Icelandic international Arnar Gunlaugsson's intervention, Venables would have been toasting a perfect return to south London.

As it is Venables can take more than a little consolation from the performance.

Defensively Dean Austin made a competent league debut while Paul Warhurst was back to his imposing best stepping out from the back.

Palace will look to David Tuttle for his aerial ability and strength while the rampaging Hreidarsson always shines.

Add to that the undoubted skills of Edworthy and the yet to be seen talents of David Ansalem and Palace look in good hands at the back.

In midfield Hayden Mullins had an assured league debut and Lombardo is clearly a class above anything else in this division - though that appears to be the position where the team is lacking the most depth.

But with plenty of attacking options and the creative artistry of Curcic pulling the strings, Palace look a surefire bet to challenge for promotion.

Sunday's opponents Birmingham got their season off on the right foot with a 2-0 win over notoriously slow starters Port Vale. They will provide Terry Venables with a stern test in his first away match.

Trevor Francis's side recovered from a disastrous start at the beginning of last season and almost made the play-offs with an impressive late surge.

The tenacity of Martyn O Connor combined with the creativity of Chris Marsden gives their midfield a well-balanced look and their pacy and powerful forward line of Dele Adebola, Peter Ndlovu and Paul Furlong look like providing goals.

The match is live on Sky at 1pm.

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