As the matches get fewer the nerves increase for fans of both these sides as the Championship season continues to change as the weeks go by and this one could prove a major player in the outcome of the final placings.
Neil Warnock made just one change to starting line up from the previous victory, Matt Lawrence coming in at right back for Danny Butterfield whilst Watford included Jobi McAnuff and Steve Kabba in their sixteen.
The first chance in the opening period fell to McAnuff as Tommy Smith crossed from the right but the ex-Palace man put his header wide of Julian Speroni's right hand post,
At the other end Palace were denied the opener when Clinton Morrison's shot on the turn in front of goal was cleared off the line by Dan Shittu. A Moses long throw caused uncertainty in the box and Morrison tried to take the chance but was denied by that last chance clearance.
Disappointment for Lawrence after just 20 minutes when he had to leave the field and be replaced by Butterfield due to injury.
Victor Moses is once again causing problems with his close control and long throws, His good footwork saw him away from Lloyd Doley on 26 minutes but a tackle by Smith won the ball back for the home side just as the lively forward was about to get into the box.
The Hornets thought they had found the net from one of their dangerous set pieces but referee Howard Webb ruled out the effort because of pushing by Darius Henderson on the half hour mark.
Speroni comes to the rescue of his side when Tamas Priskin saw his effort well saved by the 'keeper sevne minutes before the break after he collected the long throw by Shittu.
The half ended with tensions rising out on the pitch and there were two bookings in injury time of the first period. As Speroni tried to take a quick clearance he was intercepted by John Joe O'Toole and both were booked by Webb as the 'keeper chased after the Hornet following the challenge.
The first chance of the second half fell to Moses who was put clear from midfield by Morrison but after showing his threat with pace he then couldn't keep his shot down and Lee didn't have to make a save in the Watford goal.
At the other end the woodwork saved Palace as Priskin saw his header strike the crossbar after Doyley's cross was headed back towards goal by Henderson. The Palace defence were struggling to clear and Priskin will be disappointed he didn't make more of the chance,
Warnock makes a change from the bench as Paul Ifill comes into the action for Scott Sinclair just past the hour mark.
The winger nearly had an immediate impact as he crossed from the right and Watson just failed to connect with the ball as he it run across the face of goal.
The breakthrough came in Palace's favour from Ifill after he had been on the field just six minutes when he collected a flick on Jose Fonte who was still up from a corner and the winger beat his man and produced an excellent finish to give the Eagles the advantage.
That lead was soon extended through an excellent individual effort from Moses. On 75 minutes he received the ball inside the box and cut inside Doyley and his shot found its way into the net to send the Palace fans crazy behind that goal.
A final change made from the bench as Morrison was replaced by Carl Fletcher with six minutes remaining.
Palace knew the final stages would bring chances to the home side as they tried to get their way back in the game and Speroni produced an excellent one handed save from O'Toole to keep the margin.
There were no more chances and Palace claimed an excellent away day win and unbeaten in ten matches.
Teams:
Watford Lee, Doyley, Bromby, Shittu, Stewart (Ellington 88),Smith, Eustace, O'Toole, McAnuff (Sadler 73), Henderson,Priskin.
Subs Not Used: DeMerit, Williamson, Kabba.
Booked: McAnuff, O'Toole, Henderson, Shittu.
Crystal Palace Speroni, Lawrence (Butterfield 20), Hudson,Fonte, Hill, Soares, Derry, Watson, Sinclair (Ifill 66), Moses,Morrison (Fletcher 84).
Subs Not Used: Hills, Scannell.
Booked: Fonte, Soares, Speroni, Butterfield.
Att: 17,694 Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
