CRYSTAL Palace recorded an impressive 3-1 over West Bromwich Albion this afternoon, with debutant Tom Ince setting Selhurst Park alight.
The deadline day loan signing was electric throughout, particularly in the first half with the opening goal and then assist for Joe Ledley to net on his debut too.
Ince continued to terrorise the Albion backline, before Marouane Chamakh added a third with a penalty after he was brought down by Ben Foster.
Tony Pulis' men are up on to 26 points and now 13th in the top flight.
After a bright start from Palace, it was the visitors who nearly went ahead when Victor Anichebe somehow wriggled his way through on goal after beating debutant Scott Dann but Julian Speroni stayed big to save.
The Eagles responded and went close when the ball was hacked clear at the near post from Youssouf Mulumbu following a corner.
However, they opened the scoring on 14 minutes thanks to Tom Ince on his Palace and Premier League debut.
Yannick Bolasie took on the West Brom defence and thought he was tripped on the edge of the box, but the ball ran free inside the danger zone for Ince, who cleverly lifted the ball over the advancing Ben Foster.
West Brom could have hit back shortly after when Craig Dawson found space in front of his marker but blasted over the bar from Gareth McAuley's header across the danger zone.
But Palace extended their lead on 27 minutes thanks to another debutant in Joe Ledley.
It was a whipped-in delivery from Ince's corner and deadline day signing Ledley got in front of his marker to power home a header past Foster. Palace were coasting and in dreamland – and up into 12th in the Premier League.
West Brom threatened from a couple of set-plays but Palace managed to clear each time as half-time approached.
Ince, however, was having a dream debut in the top flight and indeed was impressive throughout.
However, just moments into the second period, West Brom were back in the game thanks to Thievy Bifouma.
The Baggies' deadline day signing found Anichebe inside the box before the former Everton man returned the pass for the striker to curl past Speroni at his near post. Some may argue the custodian should have done better.
And the visitors' tails were up as they looked for an equaliser, penning Palace back in their own half.
Ince nearly wriggled his way through on goal after collecting a fantastic through pass, but his final touch was too heavy, while the Eagles went very close to a third from the winger's corner.
Another inswinging delivery was flicked on my Damien Delaney, the ball came back out from the goal-line to Bolasie, but he scuffed his first-time effort way over the bar.
Ince nearly got in behind Dawson after the defender failed to clear properly, but his attempted looping header was weak and easy for Foster to collect.
But Palace did extend their lead after 69 minutes thanks to Chamakh. The Moroccan raced through on goal from a fantastic through-ball, rounded Foster on the edge of the box but the keeper clearly brought him down, leaving referee Chris Foy no option but to award a penalty.
And Chamakh stepped up to send Foster the wrong way with ease.
But then came the biggest cheer of the day as Glenn Murray made his comeback – and Premier League debut – to a huge ovation at Selhurst Park, replacing Puncheon on 72 minutes.
His first touch was greeted by cheers, and he soon got to work in attack, chasing down a number of balls forward.
Jonathan Parr came on for Yannick Bolaie, while Jerome Thomas also made a return from injury, replacing Chamakh.
Mile Jedinak saw a free-kick held by Foster late on, while West Brom were inches from pulling a goal back following a scramble in the Palace six-yard area.
But Palace were good value for their win and held on comfortably.
They are now up to 13th in the table as Pulis continues to work his magic in SE25.
Palace: Speroni, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Ledley, Puncheon (Murray 72), Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Bolasie (Parr 76), Ince, Chamakh (Thomas 83).
Subs Not Used: Hennessey, Gabbidon, Bannan, Gayle.
Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 24,501
Report by Croydon Advertiser Sports Reporter Mark Ritson
