Coventry City 1 v 4 Palace

Coca-Cola Championship

THE Eagles recorded their second consecutive away win as they finally began to soar in the league, as forecast by pre-season pundits.

It was their first appearance at Coventry's Ricoh Stadium and after hitting the hosts for four and seeing his number one striker Andy Johnson return to action, Iain Dowie will be eager to return.

But after this mauling of the Sky Blues, Dowie played down talk of a push toward promotion saying: "No disrespect to Coventry but I think there is a little bit more to come from my team.

"But I am not going to start making predictions about the season. We have to focus on our next game and make sure we are ready but we are pleased with the result."

The match started brightly with both teams going close.

In particular, Gabor Kiraly had to be alert to parry Michael Doyle's long range effort over the bar.

However, Palace took the lead on 14 minutes when Darren Ward buried a Danny Butterfield cross from inside a crowded penalty area.

Coventry replied with James Scowcroft forcing Kiraly into a save but the hosts were always open to the counter-attack and winger Jobi McAnuff brought a fine save out of Stephen Bywater.

Micky Adams' team won a series of corners but with Fitz Hall and Ward marshalling the penalty area it looked as if the Eagles would go into the break a goal to the good.

But on 44 minutes Matt Heath equalised with a header at the near post from Stephen Hughes' set piece.

Almost immediately Palace regained the lead when Butterfield's free-kick was clinically dispatched past Bywater courtesy of Clinton Morrison's header Palace indeed reached half time a goal to the good.

Adams made one change to his line up at the break as Youssef Sofiane replaced Hughes.

Palace effectively sealed the win on 57 minutes when Ben Watson scored from close range and while his name is on the score sheet, the move which set up the goal deserves mention too.

Butterfield fired a long pass across the field to Morrison who then started off a move involving 12 passes ending with McAnuff finding Watson and goal number three.

Dowie's side were now well in control of proceedings but he still brought on the experience of Michael Hughes for Watson.

Kiraly had to be alert on 72 minutes to tip a free kick from Gary McSheffrey round the post and then McAnuff was inches from extending the lead on 77 minutes when his shot went the wrong side of the post.

Johnson came into the action on 80 minutes and City endured further misery when substitute Claus Jorgensen was dismissed for foul and abusive language.

Palace's fourth goal owed much to Johnson whose shot was blocked by Bywater but the ball ran to substitute Jon Macken who scored his first goal for the club.

Palace are now fifth in the Championship.

Palace: Kiraly; Butterfield; Hall; Ward; Boyce; McAnuff; Watson (Hughes, 62); Soares; Reich; Freedman (Macken, 87); Morrison (Johnson, 79).

Subs: Speroni; Hudson.

Att: 24,438.