From Yorkshire Post, 18 October 2008

A Ben Watson double fired Crystal Palace to a comprehensive 3-0 Selhurst Park victory against Barnsley.

Watson's first came from the penalty spot after Heinz Muller upended Victor Moses in the box. Muller was surprisingly spared a red card by referee Tony Bates for the challenge, but was unable to make the most of his good fortune by keeping out the spot-kick.

Palace could have easily have found themselves behind rather than taking the lead.

Barnsley striker Maceo Rigters found himself unmarked at a corner and managed to direct a header towards goal, prompting Julian Speroni to make a sharp save.

But, the keeper immediately turned defence into attack, setting Moses free with a huge clearing kick that saw him slip in between Rob Kozluk and Jamal Campbell-Ryce and bare down on Muller's goal.

The German tried to show the striker wide but only succeeded in upending him, leaving Bates with an easy decision to make.

After Watson converted, Palace continued to pour forward and could have had a second when Anderson's attempted clearance nearly wrong-footed Muller for an own goal.

With Barnsley offering little more than Diego Leon's long-range drive, Beattie's threat remained as he flashed a free-header over the bar as the interval loomed.

And the inevitable second came on the hour for Neil Warnock's Palace, Watson the benificiary from some slack defending to slot home from Carle's pull back.

Shefki Kuqi powered home a third for Palace to complete a miserable afternoon for Simon Davey's team.
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Ian Wilkinson

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