City secured a massive win and important three points last night as Chris Iwuelmo’s superb volley gave City a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace. With this win, only City’s fourth in the last 21 league games, Gary Johnson’s side are now eight points clear of the relegation places in 12^th.

City started in a 4-3-3 formation with Iwuelmo acting as the lone front man with Maynard and Campbell-Ryce providing the width. Lee Johnson retained his place in the side, and was joined in midfield by Skuse and Hartley. The back four stayed the same as it has been for the last four games, with Fontaine continuing at full-back in the absence of McAllister.

The opening exchanges were cagey, with neither side committing many forward as both defences took charge of the game. Chances in the first 45 were few and far between, with Darren Ambrose shooting over and Gerken making a good stop from a rare Palace attack the only noteworthy opportunities.

City did, however, defend much better and were looking well organized in defence. Carey was much improved in the heart of defence, with the whole side looking more determined to get a result than in previous weeks.

The second half started as the first finished, with rare glimpses of quality and poor football all round. The game was brought to life 17 minutes from the end when a loose ball in the box was hooked home by Iwuelmo into the top corner with an excellent volley.

City did well to defend the lead, with Palace failing to come up with anything close to an equalizer in the final 20 minutes. City will be pleased with a key three points, but the performance from both sides were very poor, and upon further investigation, City should be pleased with the points, but only satisfied with the performance.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Hill, Lawrence, Butterfield, Ertl, Derry, Ambrose (Dans, 67), Carle (John, 81), Andrew, Lee

Goals: None

City: Gerken, Orr, Carey, Nyatanga, Fontaine, Skuse, Hartley, Johnson, Campbell-Ryce, Maynard (McAllister, 90), Iwuelmo (Akinde, 86)

Goals: Iwuelmo 73

Attendance: 12,844

Referee: Mr Russel