Crystal Palace 0 v Charlton Athletic 1

How good was that? A hat-trick of 1-0 wins at Selhurst Park (what a dump - it gets worse every visit). A battling team performance inspired in defence by Danny Mills, encouraged by Reidy and finished by Todorov. A nice drink before the game in pleasant surroundings (which meant a late train to the ground) and a few celebratory pints after the match up town in the company of gentlemen. Such a perfect day!

Super Alan Pardew must be a very satisfied man indeed today. He got the improvement he sought in defence instantly with the addition of Mills. McCarthy and Fortune looked the better for it and the concentration levels were evidently better. Powell was peerless as usual and a five man midfield was industrious. Iwelumo lead the line well enough but I would have preferred to have played 4-4-2 from the off. Having said that, Pards got it right because we competed well for an hour before Toddy's arrival and were having a lot of possession and creating chances.

Todorov's introduction and the move to 4-4-2 quickly lead to the winner. A scrappy enough goal that the raucous Charlton fans helped blow over the line. We played out the remaining 20 minutes relatively easily. Sub Idrizaj forced a fine save from Weaver but Palace didn't really step it up enough to look like getting anything. McLeod had the best chance of the game in the dying minutes when through one-on-one with the keeper but his shot was blocked. Palace were very ordinary, much more like I had expected at the start of the season, so their 4-1 win at Southampton begins to look like a fluke. Peter Taylor must be feeling the heat at the moment and they look like they have a long season ahead.

For the Addicks, everything suddenly looks rosy and the talk on the train back to London was understandably optimistic. One win at Selhurst doesn't make a season but it certainly helps cement our start. The international break next week will give us the opportunity to draw breath and get a couple more players ready for the fray. Luke Varney must be licking his lips in anticipation....

I should also report that Simon Jordan got the loud and frequent abuse from the travelling Charlton fans that he deserves. He spent the whole match standing in an exit, presumably so he wouldn't have to sit anywhere near Richard Murray and Co. The man really is a prick.