The Eagles narrowly lost their opening pre-season friendly to Crawley Town at Broadfield Stadium last night, in a game of few clear-cut chances.
In the absence of Scannell & Ambrose (both injured, but should be back for Saturday's game against Chelsea) and Nathaniel Clyne (away on international duty), new manager George Burley gave several trialists an opportunity to impress.
New signings, David Wright, who looked assured at right back, Adam Barrett, playing comfortably alongside Paddy McCarthy & Andy Dorman in midfield, all started for the visitors.
After a summer of departures, they look like valuable assets to Burley's emerging squad.
Palace dominated the early stages and a left wing cross from Djilali produced a fine save by Kuipers in the Town goal from an Alan Lee header.
Crawley's first opportunity came from a sixth minute corner but Julian Speroni saved comfortably.
The Eagles should have taken the lead in the eighth minute when a corner won by trialist Dean Morgan was headed on by Barrett and Djilali's overhead kick from the touchline found Alassane N'Diaye, who fired over from close range. That was followed by a Dorman shot which Kuipers did well to tip over for a corner.
At the other end, a deflected 30-yard free kick from Masterton was well saved by Speroni, but the goal apart, there was little to worry the Palace shot-stopper all evening.
The best move of the game however gave Crawley the lead in the 15th minute. One touch passing between Torres & Smith gave Matt Tubbs (a £70,000 summer signing from Salisbury), a chance from outside the box. He took the opportunity with a curling shot that eluded Julian Speroni, going in off the underside of the bar.
A corner from Danns was headed over by Barrett after 26 minutes as the game began to flow from end to end. On 38 minutes, good work from Danns set up Morgan, but his shot was well saved and Lee was offside as he tried to follow-up.
Morgan shot wide soon after the re-start and the lively Zaha, who came on for Djilali, had his shot saved after 62mins.
The quality came from Danns in midfield, who will surely be crucial this season.
Wilfred Zaha again looked sharp as another effort was drilled just wide after 72 minutes.
Palace were mainly reduced to long range efforts in the second period as the passing game which Burley looks to employ this season, although pleasing on the eye, failed to create many clear openings.
In a fairly even game Palace could have equaliser in the closing stages. Danns headed wide after 81 minutes, but the best chance fell to Calvin Andrew (87mins.) whose header from Brunno's left wing cross was blocked at point blank range. There was strong support from the Palace faithful who were just pleased to see they have a team to follow, after a summer of much uncertainty.
Crawley will be looking to gain promotion to the League after their owners injected an unprecedented £450,000 into their Blue Square Premier squad. This win, after a 1-1 draw against Millwall at the weekend, suggests they will be strong contenders.
Defeat in their opening friendly then, but for George Burley it was 'An opportunity to look at some new players, some young players, and it was very competitive on a good pitch. We know we have a lot to do, but it was a good workout. Hopefully by Saturday we can add one or two new players.' One of those could be Lewis Price as back up to Julian Speroni, but Burley is looking at a striker and two midfielders as he hopes to add new faces in the coming weeks.
Despite the result, it was an encouraging start, which clearly showed the style of play which Burley hopes to instil at Selhurst.
Speroni
Wright
Remie) (Brunno H-T)
McCarthy ©
Barrett
Djilali (Zaha H-T)
Danns (Pinney 85m)
N'Diaye (Holness 73m)
Dorman (Cadogan 69m)
Lee (Andrew H-T)
Morgan (Bridcutt 64m)
