Charlton Athletic 2 v Crystal Palace 0

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!" It doesn't get much better than last night. A fault-free performance of commitment and determination. We bettered them from the off and should have won the game before half-time. As it was, we had to wait for 60 minutes before the deadlock was broken by Luke Varney had there were only three minutes of normal time left when he struck again to send Palace scuttling back to where they come from.

Pardew, the "Palace fan" as the visitors were keen to tell us, started with Weaver in goal, Youga, Bougherra, McCarthy and Halford across the defence. Holland and Zheng Zhi were in the middle with Ambrose and Sam on the flanks. Varney and Gray lead the line.

Charlton controlled the first half and should have taken the lead. Gray turned on a sixpence in the box to get one-on-one with Speroni but his shot was blocked. Zheng Zhi had the chance of the half ending a flowing four man move by volleying goalward but Speroni made the save of the game with a one-handed stop. Luke Varney then worked his way in behind the Palace defence and a fierce shot cannoned off a post. All Palace could muster in reply was a corner.

Palace improved in the second half and managed several corners but failed to create a single effort of note. Zheng Zhi was sparkling in the midfield. Matt Holland was busy and Sam and Ambrose played their parts, although both could have made more telling contributions if I am being critical. Gray played some clever football and Varney was full of running. The crucial first goal came from a Gray-Varney combination, with Gray flicking a ball on for Varney to race onto. He cut inside the floundering full-back and cracked a shot past the helpless Speroni. The reaction in the stadium was amazing and Varney was mobbed by delirious colleagues.

Palace couldn't raise their game and it was Charlton who continued to dictate play. The second was a near copy of the first and it killed Palace off. The timing was also excellent as they disappeared like the plug had been pulled out.

Greg Halford - isn't he big - made an encouraging debut. Varney played his socks off but my man of the match, again, was Kelly Youga. He dominated his quarter of the pitch and played with a swagger that comes from knowing your opponents can't beat you.

The atmosphere was superb with both sets of fans in good voice but Palace were drowned out whenever the whole ground got going. Palace were given an intimidating welcome in the streets around the Valley before and after the game and the police were busy keeping rival supporters apart. You can't help feeling that this was a much more important showing than the three points which were secured. Palace were well and truly second best on all fronts and even the most partisan Eagle would have to acknowledge that. If we meet them in the play-offs this performance could have an added bearing.

Meanwhile, we can kick back and look for some decent results elsewhere today. I'm going to enjoy the rugby, even if Scotland take the beating I fear they will in Cardiff.

Up the Addicks!