By Aston
July 24 2004

Ipswich town today showed that they are capable of beating premier league opposition, beating crystal palace 2-1 at Portman Road earlier today.

Town 2-1 Palace

Ipswich town today showed that they are capable of beating premier league opposition, beating crystal palace 2-1 at Portman Road earlier today.

It took Drissa Diallo just three minutes to give Town the lead, heading in Jim Magilton’s corner. That was also Drissa’s first goal in an Ipswich shirt.

Ipswich dominated the first half but a poor clearance from Diallo nearly allowed Palace to get on level term, Diallo’s kick hit Andy Johnson on the back then onto the bar landing inside 6 yards where a waiting Michael Hughes some how managed to fire the ball over the bar.

Minutes later Drissa again gave palace the chance to go level bringing down Andy Johnson just out side the area, Shaun Derry’s free kick finding the back of the net.

Just before the end of the first half Dean Bowditch restored Ipswich’s advantage, Darren Bent and Pablo Couñago linking up well before Deano slotted the ball home.

Fabian Wilnis and Tommy Miller replaced Drissa Diallo and Jim Magilton respectively at half time.

Kelvin Davis had to be alert in the sweltering heat in the 55th minute as Dougie Freedman found him self unchallenged in the 6 yards, only Davis keeping the ball out and town in front.

Five minutes later the action at the other end with Darren Bent smacking the ball into the bar before nearly forcing in third challenging the palace keeper with the ball heading just wide.

Jason De Vos nearly marked his game at Portman road in Ipswich colours with goal, but like Bent he hit the bar.

Town finished the better side and on the basis of today’s game Town should be able to make the play-off’s this season.

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