CRYSTAL PALACE 0 WOLVES 2
Palace dropped out of the play-off positions on Thursday, after they were out-played and out-thought by a buoyant Wolves side.
It was a disappointing evening for Ade Akinbiyi, Palace's £2.4m signing from Leicester, on his debut against the club who had sold him to Leicester for £5m.
Trevor Francis opted for an attacking 4-3-3 formation with Akinbiyi alongside Morrison and Freedman up-front, but leaving the midfield with David Hopkin on the right side, exposed against a superior side.
In the 36th minute Akinbiyi almost scored from the floor after Freedman's shot had been deflected but he could not pounce when a second chance presented itself.
On 53, minutes he found space on the right edge of the box but under-hit his cross-shot to present Michael Oakes with an easy save. Then, in the 62nd minute, Akinbiyi could manage only a glancing header when a Morrison cross from the right found him unmarked in the box.
In the first half Wolves made most of the running down the left through Mohammed Camara and Mark Kennedy who was outstanding. But when they took the lead in the 13th minute it was from a throw-in on the right taken by Joleon Lescott. Dean Sturridge, from just outside the area, shot brilliantly into the top left-hand corner, for his 12th goal in 15 matches.
Palace did go close in the 32nd minute when Simon Rodger had a good effort blocked and from the rebound David Hopkin shot fiercely only to see Michael Oakes pull off a magnificent reflex save.
Palace also started the second half with greater urgency. But the match was beyond recall once Shaun Newton had smashed in the second.
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