Mcarthur gives De Boer first Palace victory

In a game which showcased the young talent that offers hope for the long-term future of Championship side Ipswich Town, it was the experience of James Mcarthur that proved the difference to send Crystal Palace through.

The Scotland midfielder altered the direction of the contest with two moments of quality. First, he cut inside in the 76th minute to curl an exquisite left-foot shot past Ipswich keeper Dean Gerken. Then, with six minutes remaining, he repeated the feat, this time with his right foot.

It meant that Bersant Celina’s neat finish in injury time had no effect other than portend a frantic finish to the match. For Palace’s manager, Frank de Boer, there was the relief of a first goal and first victory of his tenure at Selhurst Park.

“I am pleased for everyone who loves Crystal Palace,” he said. “I am very pleased with the spirit that I saw from my players. Winning gives you confidence. James is a

Double act: James Mcarthur scored two goals to ensure Palace’s progress at Selhurst Park smart player. I haven’t said to him to hit the ball with the inside of his foot in those positions, but he understands that he has to do that.”

De Boer’s Ipswich counterpart, Mick Mccarthy, fielded the youngest outfield starting line-up in the club’s history at an average age of just 19. What they lacked in firstteam experience, they made up for in cohesion, given that they play together in the Under-23 side. It was that tightness which allowed them to limit the threat posed by Palace in the opening 45 minutes to a Scott Dann header and a Yohan Cabaye free-kick.

Both were saved brilliantly by Gerken, who also denied Mcarthur in the dying minutes as his sought his hat-trick.

For Mccarthy, whose side have made a perfect start to their league campaign, it was another satisfying night. He said: “I am extremely proud of the young lads. We gave Palace a scare, but they got tired in the end. Thank God we didn’t have extra time or I’d have had to send the nurse on. They are so young, they would have been in bed.” Crystal Palace