There are games that are stated as vital within a league programme and this clash certainly came into that category following the weekend games. Stoke City had the chance to go back to the top of the league whilst Palace went into the game knowing a re-appearance in the top six would be the reward for maximum points.

Leon Cort, Carlo Nash, Ricardo Fuller and Clint Hill all lined up against their former sides whilst City manager Tony Pulis gave home debuts to Shola Ameobi and Stephen Pearson.

The opening ten minutes saw an open game with chances falling to both sides. In the opening minute Pearson just failed to get on the end of Andy Griffin's cross whilst just minutes later Victor Moses did well to create space for himself in the box, but his effort went over the Nash's bar.

On eight minutes the home side showed one of their dangers, a Rory Delap long throw, which was headed onto the inside of the post by Mamady Sidibe. The Palace defence were grateful to see it come back out and away from danger.

After a bright opening from Stoke it was Palace who started to come into the game more with Moses and Scott Sinclair looking dangerous on both wings. It was no surprise to see the assist for the opening goal come from one of them as Palace made the breakthrough on 22 minutes. 

Tom Soares rose well at the far post to head home a cross from Sinclair who left Danny Pugh behind with his pace. The midfielder's fourth of the season gave the visitors the perfect start in their bid to extend an unbeaten seven-match run.

The half-hour mark once again saw Moses show his danger with his pace and skill as he put the ball through the legs of two opponents and set up Morrison with a defence-splitting pass, but it ran through to the home goalkeeper before the striker could make the most of it.

Stoke always looked a danger on the break themselves and Ameobi will have been disappointed he wasn't able to get on the end of a pass from Pearson and then Sidibe headed over from close range just minutes later.

At the other end, Sinclair's pace continued to be a positive threat and he ran some 50 yards and found Morrison but he was unable to get a shot on target as the ball seemed to run away from him just at the wrong time.

In first half stoppage time Neil Warnock's side had the perfect boost with a tremendous strike from Jose Fonte doubling the advantage. A Ben Watson free kick was cleared but only to Shaun Derry, whose ball was pushed out by the defence to Fonte, whose sweetly struck effort from just inside the box flashed past Nash and doubled the visitors lead.

The home side looked to get back into the game straight from the restart and Cort headed just wide of Speroni's right hand post to show the kind of threat that the centre back can be, which is no secret to his ex team mates.

Speroni was at full stretch nine minutes into the half to tip over a cross which was swinging in towards goal from Richard Cresswell.

Changes were made from the bench by both camps as Stoke introduced Fuller and Palace lost Moses through injury. He was replaced by Kyel Reid.

Just before the hour mark Palace had a narrow escape when Pearson's free kick was headed just wide by Ameobi as the intentions of Tony Pulis' side became clear - a goal back as soon as possible was crucial.

Cort once again had a chance but headed wide as the pressure was non stop at a crucial period for the visitors as they looked to retain their advantage.

Speroni mad an excellent stop as Fuller made his way into the box and the 'keeper saved from the substitute to deny the striker as the last man.

Another change was made from the bench by Pulis as Bothroyd came on for Pearson.

Palace continued to break and catch the home side as they committed numbers and Clinton Morrison found himself in the box but shot straight at Nash.

At the other end a series of deflections ended up with the ball landing at Speroni's feet whilst Ameobi shot straight at the 'keeper from just yards out.

The goal finally came for the home side with six minutes remaining when Glenn Whelan volleyed the ball into the net past Speroni from just inside the box.

As the game entered a nervous conclusion, Neil Warnock made wo substitutions for Palace, introducing Sean Scannell and Carl Fletcher into the game. Scannell nearly scored with almost his first touch as he broke clear but screwed his shot wide of the post.

Five minutes of stoppage time was added by Mark Clattenberg that Palace saw out to seal an excellent victory to send them into sixth place in the Championship.

Hard work and character has been typical of Warnock's Eagles and that was what saw them through in this one and the boss was a proud man as he led his team from the pitch.

Teams

Stoke Nash, Griffin, Riggott, Cort, Pugh, Whelan, Delap,Pearson (Bothroyd 77), Cresswell, Sidibe (Fuller 56), Ameobi.

Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Shawcross, Dickinson.

Crystal Palace Speroni, Lawrence, Hudson, Fonte, Hill,Sinclair (Fletcher 89), Soares (Scannell 89), Watson, Derry,Moses (Reid 56), Morrison.

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Butterfield.

Booked: Hudson, Fletcher.

Att: 15,756    Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).