Crystal Palace 2 Burnley 0: Clarets must tighten as Bartley dismissal compounds their woes

Burnley manager Eddie Howe rued his side’s poor start after they slipped to defeat at Selhurst Park.

Jonathan Parr opened the scoring in the ninth minute and Owen Garvan scored in the second half as the Eagles triumphed and Burnley ended the game with 10 men after substitute Marvin Bartley was sent off.

Howe said: “It was a disappointing start. We were very slow out of the traps today. We were under the cosh in the first few minutes and, when you come away from home and go a goal down in the first few minutes, it is always going to be difficult.

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“After that, for the rest of the first half, we controlled the game and on another day perhaps the result would have been different.

“Their goalkeeper (Julian Speroni) made a number of great saves and we put a few balls into the box but defensively is an area we need to look at.

“We will score goals but it is at the other end we need to tighten up.

“The second goal was a killer blow because the longer it went on, I thought we were getting back into the game. When it went to 2-0 it was an uphill battle.”

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On Bartley’s red card for lashing out at Parr, Howe added: “I have not seen it yet, but he is an honest lad and it is disappointing he got sent off because we will lose him for three games now, which is a big blow.”

Norway international Parr put Palace ahead when he headed home from Ryan McGivern’s cross.

Burnley had chances of their own as Jay Rodriguez and midfielder Ross Wallace were denied by Speroni. Howe’s team were also denied a penalty when Parr clashed with Wade Elliott in the 53rd minute.

Palace compounded the Clarets’ misery in the 66th minute when Garvan swept home from the penalty spot after the impressive Sean Scannell was tripped by Brian Easton.

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Referee Brendan Malone had little option but to point to the spot and the official was also the centre of attention when he dismissed Bartley late on.

Palace manager Dougie Freedman was delighted and said: “That display merited a win. We started the game on the front foot and tried to make it difficult for Burnley to play football.

“It was a good team performance. We have some great individuals at this club but we also have a team ethic that allows us to show that brilliance.”

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ramage, McCarthy, Tunchev, McGivern, Ambrose (Dikgacoi 49), Parr, Wright, Garvan, Easter (Zaha 71), Scannell (Andrew 83). Unused substitutes: Price, Jedinak.

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Burnley: Grant,Trippier,Amougou,Mee,Easton,Wallace,McCann, Elliott,Edgar (Austin 63),Treacy (Bartley 72),Rodriguez. Unused substitutes: Jensen,Duff,Marney.

Referee: B Malone (Wiltshire).

Man of the match: Julian Speroni.