CRYSTAL Palace were made to wait until the 81st minute to make their supremacy count as they beat Championship strugglers Bristol City at Selhurst Park as Dougie Freedman’s side continued their best start to a season ins six years.

The Eagles dominated throughout but had nothing to show for their territorial advantage until Glenn Murray converted from the spot after Jonathan Williams had been brought down by Lewin Nyatanga.

Palace had settled much the better, with the managerless Robins looking bereft of confidence.

But the hosts failed to make their dominance count despite having a string of golden opportunities to take the lead.

The first chance of the opening half fell to the on-form Wilfried Zaha on 10 minutes, when he collected a Mile Jedinak header in the right channel.

Zaha immediately beat his man cut inside and unleashed early left-footed strike that fizzed inches wide of David James’ right hand post.

Seven minutes later and it was Zaha again who was causing panic in the City backline as he cut in from the right, this time forcing a smart save out of the former England stopper.

On the half hour mark Zaha again beat McGivern, this time choosing to lay it on a plate for the awaiting Darren Ambrose but the usually reliable 27-year old pulled his shot wide.

Five minutes later Zaha once again found his efforts wasted, this time Glenn Murray the culprit, miss-hitting his shot with the goal at his mercy.

Palace’s best chance, though, came as James bodged his clearance after rushing out of his area.

The ball fell kindly to Ambrose with an open goal at his mercy but his rushed effort curled agonisingly wide.

The second-half continued as the first had ended and Palace thought they had a good case for a penalty on 65 minutes.

Murray was certainly dragged back but the official ruled him offside, otherwise referee Mr Williamson would certainly have pointed to the spot.

Palace had the ball in the net in the 73rd minute after Zaha was played in by Sean Scannell.

The 18-year-old raced onto it and powered home but the referee’s flag once again came to the City’s rescue.

But just as it looked as though Palace would pay for their missed chances, they were handed a lifeline when Nyatanga brought down substitute Williams in the box as he raced onto a Zaha through ball.

This time the referee did point to the spot and Murray stepped up to net his fourth goal of the season, smashing his spot kick straight down the middle.

City burst into life and piled the pressure on but Palace held on to take a well deserved victory and climbed to fifth in the Championship table.

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