Crystal Palace against Charlton Athletic

Ben Watson has played well for Palace this afternoon; tidy in possession and one of the few players willing to break at pace.

Hughes almost slips in Johnson with a decent pass in to the area, but El Karkouri sees the ball out for a goal kick.

Johnson manages to wriggle free in the area, but his shot is well saved by the feet of Kiely.

Luke Young shows the first piece of skill all game, ghosting past two tackles, but is thwarted by the referee's whistle for an earlier foul.

The game is drifting, very slowly, to it's inevitable conclusion - stalemate. Unless, readers, someone does something extraordinary.

Television cameras pick out Sven Goran Eriksson and Tord Grip in the crowd. Who could they possibly be watching? Jeffers? I hope not. Johnson? Surely not. Murphy? Give me strength.

Murphy picks out Jeffers with a lofted ball in to the box, but the former Arsenal striker's touch is heavy.

So, no change to the system of either side; still 4-5-1, and a very congested midfield.

SUB: Home boss Dowie Curbishley plays his hand first, bringing on Lakis for Kolkka, while Curbishley hauls off Bartlett and sends on Francis Jeffers.

I think both managers would accept a point at this stage. Certainly neither side deserve all three points. They've both proved to me why they're struggling this season.

Granville thwarts Rommedahl as the Dane skips in to the box. There was absolutely no conviction in his play.

Rommedahl pops up again, firing a 20-yard shot straight at Kiraly. Nice to know he's still about, though.

Johnson again breaks in to the box, but this time El Karkouri stays on his feet before winning the ball with a well-timed tackle.

Thomas is still threatening on the rare occasions he can get the ball at his feet. His cross is well cleared by Popovic.

Kolkka cuts inside from the left wing and attempts to curl a low shot past Kiely, but it's easily saved.

If you're playing one man up front, I don't believe hoofing the ball 50 yards up to him when he's marked by four defenders is the best policy. Am I right? So why do both sides persist in doing so? Why?

Murphy glides past Boyce and in to the area, but his shot is weak and straight at Kiraly.

Rommedalh reminds people he's on the pitch as he attempts to slide a ball through to Thomas. His pass is cut out by Popovic, and the Dane slips back in to obscurity once more.

A good little spell of Palace possession ends when Riihilahti clips the ball to no-one in particular.

Unsurprisingly, Iain Dowie isn't happy; somehow, his intense frustration at Johnson's penalty miss has made his face an even stranger one to look at.

Kiely went early, but pulled off a tremendous save to deny Johnson, tipping the striker's side-foot penalty around the post.

SAVED! Tremendous save from Kiely, down to his left.

PENALTY! Johnson is fouled in the box by El Karkouri. Obvious penalty, rubbish challenge, yellow card.

Nice play between Thomas and Murphy down the Charlton left, but Boyce ends the attack with a good tackle.

Johnson beats El Karkouri, but Young covers with a thumping challenge. Johnson has had nothing to work with this afternoon.

Popovic volleys high and wide from the edge of the box. Charlton go down the other end, and two nice passes create a shooting chance for Murphy, though his shot is blocked.

Bartlett finds himself on the right-wing, but his cross is easily plucked out of the air by Kiraly. Even if it hadn't, there was no Charlton man in the box anyway.

I have to say that the referee is hardly helping this game become a classic; he's been very picky.

Danny Granville plays one of the worst passes I've seen in the Premiership; hopelessly heavy and about 45 degrees in the wrong direction.

Hughes finds Watson, who picks out Johnson on the left wing, but Palace sportingly put the ball out of play as Thomas lies prostrate on the turf.

A long, very hopeful ball from Hall wins a throw-in for Palace. Very quiet start to the second period.

Palace kick off the second half, with the Selhurst Park announcer attempting to whip the home fans in to a frenzy.

HALF-TIME: A decent half of football, played at a lively pace.

Kiraly pulls off a great save at the near post after Thomas easily beats Boyce inside the box. The goalkeeper then claims the corner with ease.

Thomas is fouled out on the left touchline, and Watson is booked for the challenge.

Two added minutes, delares the fourth official. Riihilahti finds Kolkka on the left, and the home side win a corner.

Rommedahl shows his pace as he cuts in side - but runs straight in to Routledge. Riihilahti's effort has picked up the Selhurst Park crowd.

Kolkka bursts down the left and picks out Riihilahti in the box, but his shot bounces down and up off the bar. Great move though.

Kiraly is wearing his tracksuit bottoms again; I love that. They're still clean though; he's had nothing to do so far this match.

A Palace corner finds Riihilahti, but it's just too high for the Fin to get his header on target.

Fortune is quickly across to cut out the danger as Routledge and Boyce break down the right.

Rommedahl finds some space 30 yards out, but his shot dribbles sadly wide. I think Charlton have been the better side, but there's not much in it.

Riihalahti gives away a free-kick for a strong challenge on Thomas, and Charlton can build some pressure.

It's quite a fiery encounter, but there's not been a great deal of skill on show. In fact, there's been no skill of any description.

Charlton need more width to their attacking play; everything is too narrow, and Palace are coping well. Murphy manages to find some space, but his shot is woeful.

Routledge is causing plenty of problems for Charlton down the right-hand side; a couple of crosses are desperately cleared, before Kiely is fouled attempting to punch.

Popovic is lucky not to give away a free-kick after the linesman flagged as he and Bartlett chased a long ball. The referee refuses to acknowledge his assistant, however, and play goes on.

Decent spell of pressure from Palace as they swing some high, hopeful balls in to the Charlton box. But the visitors are defending well, and the danger is cleared.

The resulting free-kick is one of the worst I've seen; Hughes attempting to role a cute ball in to Johnson, who peeled off the end of the wall. Truly rubbish. Next time, have a pop.

Fortune is also fortunate not to get booked after kicking Johnson in the face when the striker was bursting through.

Kishischev gets angry at referee Styles after a late challenge on Johnson. He screws his face into a ball of rage, but escapes without a booking.

Charlton have conceded 19 goals in seven away games so far this season; that's an awful record. They look quite solid today, though.

Murphy finds Thomas with a superb ball down the left channel. The young winger puts in a great low cross and Holland's diving header flies just a yard wide of Kiraly's right-hand post. Great move.

The man with the greatest nickname in English football 'One Size' Fitz Hall, makes a bit of a hash of a clearance, and Kiraly needs to make a brave save to rescue the situation.

Rommedahl arrived in England in the summer with the reputation as one of the quickest men in world football. If we're being honest, though, he's been rubbish so far this season.

Routledge teases Fortune before cutting a ball back from the by-line, but Palace only have Johnson in the box and Charlton clear without undue panic.

Kishichev is found by Bartlett 40 yards out; he takes a couple of strides before cracking a right-foot shot just wide of Kiraly's post. Great effort; a real fizzer.

Watson climbs well to clear a throw-in from Charlton in his own area, and Palace break with speed and skill.

Johansson limps off with a hamstring injury, and is replaced by Danish winger Rommedahl.

The traffic outside Selhurst Park must have been horrendous this afternoon; it's bad enough normally, without 30,000 fans decending on the area.

Kishichev is put under pressure from the flying Johnson, but he manages to keep his composure and stab the ball back to Kiely. Johnson looks very perky, though.

Kolka puts in a decent cross, but it's just too high for Johnson. Popovic returns to the pitch after a moment with the physio.

Popovic needs treatment on a head wound and puts the ball out of play to allow the physio to come on to the pitch. Everyone takes a little breather after a lively start.

Holland makes a super run and is picked out in the area by Murphy. Good defending ensures the Irish international's shot is blocked.

Johnson is fouled 40 yards out, and the little striker manages to get on the end of the free kick; he mis-kicks his shot, however, and Kiely saves easily.

Wayne Routledge is playing his 100th game for Crystal Palace today, readers. He's only 19-years-old, too. Remarkable. He needs to get forward to support Johnson if Palace are to have success today.

Murphy has the game's first shot, a tame effort from the edge of the area. Still, it's nice to get on the board.

Both sides line up with one striker, supported by two wide men coming from midfield. It seems to be something of a recent trend in the Premiership. It's all terribly European.

Young recovers after allowing a long ball towards Kloka bounce. The corner is taken short, but Bartlett clears. It's been a good, bright start, readers.

According to my sources, Luke Young became a father earlier this week. Isn't that nice? Apparently, Charlton put him up in a hotel last night to ensure that his sleep wasn't disturbed by his new baby. Who says football clubs have no heart?

Really good start from Palace. Routledge and Kolka swing in great crosses and cause early panic in the Charlton box.

Johnson is fouled out on the touchline. Hughes picks out Hall in the box, but his cross is cleared.

After the customary huddle, Charlton kick off this south east London derby. Good atmosphere at Selhurst Park.

Charlton chief Alan Curbishley made only one alteration to the side thrashed 4-0 at home by Chelsea last weekend; Hermann Hreidarsson, who could not start against Chelsea because of back trouble, replaced Paul Konchesky.

Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie named the same team which drew at Southampton last weekend for the clash with London rivals Charlton.

Join us for all the action from Selhurst Park where at 16.05 UK time Crystal Palace take on Charlton Athletic!

Kolkka cuts inside from the left wing and attempts to curl a low shot past Kiely, but it's easily saved.

If you're playing one man up front, I don't believe hoofing the ball 50 yards up to him when he's marked by four defenders is the best policy. Am I right? So why do both sides persist in doing so? Why?

Murphy glides past Boyce and in to the area, but his shot is weak and straight at Kiraly.

Rommedalh reminds people he's on the pitch as he attempts to slide a ball through to Thomas. His pass is cut out by Popovic, and the Dane slips back in to obscurity once more.

A good little spell of Palace possession ends when Riihilahti clips the ball to no-one in particular.

Unsurprisingly, Iain Dowie isn't happy; somehow, his intense frustration at Johnson's penalty miss has made his face an even stranger one to look at.

Kiely went early, but pulled off a tremendous save to deny Johnson, tipping the striker's side-foot penalty around the post.

SAVED! Tremendous save from Kiely, down to his left.

PENALTY! Johnson is fouled in the box by El Karkouri. Obvious penalty, rubbish challenge, yellow card.

Nice play between Thomas and Murphy down the Charlton left, but Boyce ends the attack with a good tackle.

Johnson beats El Karkouri, but Young covers with a thumping challenge. Johnson has had nothing to work with this afternoon.

Popovic volleys high and wide from the edge of the box. Charlton go down the other end, and two nice passes create a shooting chance for Murphy, though his shot is blocked.

Bartlett finds himself on the right-wing, but his cross is easily plucked out of the air by Kiraly. Even if it hadn't, there was no Charlton man in the box anyway.

I have to say that the referee is hardly helping this game become a classic; he's been very picky.

Danny Granville plays one of the worst passes I've seen in the Premiership; hopelessly heavy and about 45 degrees in the wrong direction.

Hughes finds Watson, who picks out Johnson on the left wing, but Palace sportingly put the ball out of play as Thomas lies prostrate on the turf.

A long, very hopeful ball from Hall wins a throw-in for Palace. Very quiet start to the second period.

Palace kick off the second half, with the Selhurst Park announcer attempting to whip the home fans in to a frenzy.

HALF-TIME: A decent half of football, played at a lively pace.

Kiraly pulls off a great save at the near post after Thomas easily beats Boyce inside the box. The goalkeeper then claims the corner with ease.

Thomas is fouled out on the left touchline, and Watson is booked for the challenge.

Two added minutes, delares the fourth official. Riihilahti finds Kolkka on the left, and the home side win a corner.

Rommedahl shows his pace as he cuts in side - but runs straight in to Routledge. Riihilahti's effort has picked up the Selhurst Park crowd.

Kolkka bursts down the left and picks out Riihilahti in the box, but his shot bounces down and up off the bar. Great move though.

Kiraly is wearing his tracksuit bottoms again; I love that. They're still clean though; he's had nothing to do so far this match.

A Palace corner finds Riihilahti, but it's just too high for the Fin to get his header on target.

Fortune is quickly across to cut out the danger as Routledge and Boyce break down the right.

Rommedahl finds some space 30 yards out, but his shot dribbles sadly wide. I think Charlton have been the better side, but there's not much in it.

Riihalahti gives away a free-kick for a strong challenge on Thomas, and Charlton can build some pressure.

It's quite a fiery encounter, but there's not been a great deal of skill on show. In fact, there's been no skill of any description.

Charlton need more width to their attacking play; everything is too narrow, and Palace are coping well. Murphy manages to find some space, but his shot is woeful.

Routledge is causing plenty of problems for Charlton down the right-hand side; a couple of crosses are desperately cleared, before Kiely is fouled attempting to punch.

Popovic is lucky not to give away a free-kick after the linesman flagged as he and Bartlett chased a long ball. The referee refuses to acknowledge his assistant, however, and play goes on.

Decent spell of pressure from Palace as they swing some high, hopeful balls in to the Charlton box. But the visitors are defending well, and the danger is cleared.

The resulting free-kick is one of the worst I've seen; Hughes attempting to role a cute ball in to Johnson, who peeled off the end of the wall. Truly rubbish. Next time, have a pop.

Fortune is also fortunate not to get booked after kicking Johnson in the face when the striker was bursting through.

Kishischev gets angry at referee Styles after a late challenge on Johnson. He screws his face into a ball of rage, but escapes without a booking.

Charlton have conceded 19 goals in seven away games so far this season; that's an awful record. They look quite solid today, though.

Murphy finds Thomas with a superb ball down the left channel. The young winger puts in a great low cross and Holland's diving header flies just a yard wide of Kiraly's right-hand post. Great move.

The man with the greatest nickname in English football 'One Size' Fitz Hall, makes a bit of a hash of a clearance, and Kiraly needs to make a brave save to rescue the situation.

Rommedahl arrived in England in the summer with the reputation as one of the quickest men in world football. If we're being honest, though, he's been rubbish so far this season.

Routledge teases Fortune before cutting a ball back from the by-line, but Palace only have Johnson in the box and Charlton clear without undue panic.

Kishichev is found by Bartlett 40 yards out; he takes a couple of strides before cracking a right-foot shot just wide of Kiraly's post. Great effort; a real fizzer.

Watson climbs well to clear a throw-in from Charlton in his own area, and Palace break with speed and skill.

Johansson limps off with a hamstring injury, and is replaced by Danish winger Rommedahl.

The traffic outside Selhurst Park must have been horrendous this afternoon; it's bad enough normally, without 30,000 fans decending on the area.

Kishichev is put under pressure from the flying Johnson, but he manages to keep his composure and stab the ball back to Kiely. Johnson looks very perky, though.

Kolka puts in a decent cross, but it's just too high for Johnson. Popovic returns to the pitch after a moment with the physio.

Popovic needs treatment on a head wound and puts the ball out of play to allow the physio to come on to the pitch. Everyone takes a little breather after a lively start.

Holland makes a super run and is picked out in the area by Murphy. Good defending ensures the Irish international's shot is blocked.

Johnson is fouled 40 yards out, and the little striker manages to get on the end of the free kick; he mis-kicks his shot, however, and Kiely saves easily.

Wayne Routledge is playing his 100th game for Crystal Palace today, readers. He's only 19-years-old, too. Remarkable. He needs to get forward to support Johnson if Palace are to have success today.

Murphy has the game's first shot, a tame effort from the edge of the area. Still, it's nice to get on the board.

Both sides line up with one striker, supported by two wide men coming from midfield. It seems to be something of a recent trend in the Premiership. It's all terribly European.

Young recovers after allowing a long ball towards Kloka bounce. The corner is taken short, but Bartlett clears. It's been a good, bright start, readers.

According to my sources, Luke Young became a father earlier this week. Isn't that nice? Apparently, Charlton put him up in a hotel last night to ensure that his sleep wasn't disturbed by his new baby. Who says football clubs have no heart?

Really good start from Palace. Routledge and Kolka swing in great crosses and cause early panic in the Charlton box.

Johnson is fouled out on the touchline. Hughes picks out Hall in the box, but his cross is cleared.

After the customary huddle, Charlton kick off this south east London derby. Good atmosphere at Selhurst Park.

Charlton chief Alan Curbishley made only one alteration to the side thrashed 4-0 at home by Chelsea last weekend; Hermann Hreidarsson, who could not start against Chelsea because of back trouble, replaced Paul Konchesky.

Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie named the same team which drew at Southampton last weekend for the clash with London rivals Charlton.

Join us for all the action from Selhurst Park where at 16.05 UK time Crystal Palace take on Charlton Athletic!