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Match Analysis: Crystal Palace 2-0 Leicester City

Sports Mole has an in-depth look at Crystal Palace's 2-0 win over Leicester City.

Crystal Palace scored two second-half goals to beat Leicester City 2-0 at Selhurst Park this afternoon.

Fraizer Campbell opened the scoring on 50 minutes, flicking home from close range after Scott Dann had connected with a Jason Puncheon corner.

Things got better for Neil Warnock's side just four minutes later as Mile Jedinak added a second by glancing a Puncheon free kick beyond the reach of Kasper Schmeichel.

Below, Sports Mole assesses how both teams fared this afternoon.

Julian Speroni of Crystal Palace makes as Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City heads the ball towards goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Leicester City at Selhurst Park on September 27, 2014© Getty Images

Match statistics

CRYSTAL PALACE

Shots: 12
On target: 6
Possession: 40%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 13

LEICESTER CITY

Shots: 3
On target: 1
Possession: 60%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 13

Was the result fair?

In a word, yes. Crystal Palace endured a tricky opening 20 minutes or so, but it was plain sailing from there. Warnock's side threatened to open the scoring at times throughout the first half, before the hosts made good on those threats after the break with two goals in the space of four second-half minutes. Fully deserved three points.

Crystal Palace's performance

Palace went into this one with a question mark hanging over their ability to combat the in-form Leonardo Ulloa. Did they answer it? Emphatically. Ulloa, with five goals in as many games for Leicester this season, was negated for the entire encounter and was not given an inch in which to work his magic. The Palace back four can take as much heart from this win as goalscorers Campbell and Jedinak.

Leicester City's performance

Leicester came crashing back down to earth this afternoon following their 5-3 win over Manchester United last weekend. It was the last in a series of tricky fixtures for the newly-promoted Foxes, so much so that today's trip to visit to Crystal Palace, a team at a similar level, represented their first real test. Did they pass? No.

Jamie Vardy and David Nugent missed two good chances to open the scoring at the start of each half, and their heads dropped after quickfire goals from Campbell and Jedinak. They may have earned good results against Everton, Arsenal and Manchester United, but it is points against teams like Palace that will shape their season.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Yannick Bolasie: Although not on the scoresheet, the left-winger can take as much credit for this victory as any one of his teammates. Bolasie tormented right-back Ritchie de Laet, who was later replaced by Danny Simpson in a tactical switch, regularly throughout the encounter, and won the free kick that led to the second goal. Fine performance.

Biggest gaffe

Joel Ward was lucky to both stay on the field and not concede a penalty after he fouled Jamie Vardy in the area in the final 10 minutes. Fortunately for him the incident was missed by referee Keith Shroud and his officials, otherwise that might have been the starting point of a comeback on a different day.

Referee performance

Keith Shroud had a very decent performance for the best part of 80 minutes, but he should have awarded a clear penalty to Leicester after Joel Ward dragged Jamie Vardy down inside the box. It was Shroud's only blemish in an otherwise solid refereeing display - but a major one.

What next?

Crystal Palace: Warnock's side travel to the KC Stadium to face Hull City next Saturday.

Leicester City: The Foxes also get back underway on Saturday, hosting fellow newly-promoted outfit Burnley at the King Power Stadium.

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Julian Speroni of Crystal Palace makes as Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City heads the ball towards goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Leicester City at Selhurst Park on September 27, 2014
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