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Sunderland earned a hard-fought three points at Selhurst Park, just their second of the season, thanks to two goals from Scottish striker Steven Fletcher.
But for Gus Poyet, who made five changes to the starting line-up after seeing his team ship 10 goals in their last two matches, all of his players in south London showed they were willing to do the hard yards.
Anthony Reveillere impressed on his full debut at both left and right-back, while in midfield, Lee Cattermole and Sebastian Larsson did not stop for one of the 90 minutes.
Poyet's decision to swap Vito Mannone for Costel Pantilimon paid dividends, with the former Manchester City goalkeeper a much more reassuring presence for his defenders.
For Neil Warnock Crystal Palace huffed and puffed, but failed to create many significant chances. Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie looked threatening on the ball but often made the wrong decision, while Mile Jedinak was sent off for one foul too many.
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Show all 24 1 /24Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Julian Speroni Could do little to prevent Fletcher’s goal as his defence swung open in front of him like an barn door in the breeze. Denied the Scot a quick-fire second before keeping out Vergini’s volley on the crest of half-time – before denying the Argentine again after the break. Let down again by his defence for Jordi Gomez’ strike, who was offered all the time in the world to pick his spot. 6
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Martin Kelly Proved a tough obstacle to overcome and, like Ward, offered decent support to his winger, but the former Liverpool man should have been alert to close down Gomez – who duly punished Warnock’s side with a sweet finish. 5
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Brede Hangeland Has shown signs of late that he can rekindle the level of performance that helped Fulham reach the 2009 Europa League final, but should have stayed with Fletcher instead of passing him off to Ward in the lead-up to Sunderland’s opener. He soon regained his composure; and looks like he’ll form a solid partnership alongside Dann. Sacrificed in the final minutes as Warnock through another striker (Gayle) into the mix. 5
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Scott Dann Brought back into the side having missed the last two league games with an ankle injury, his tendency to look for the long pass wasted possession all too often. Typically tough in the tackle alongside his towering Norwegian partner. 5
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Joel Ward Afforded Bolasie plenty of options on the overlap, which in turn created space for the pacey winger to cut inside. Got himself in a mess for Sunderland’s opener, but was perhaps sold a little short by Hangeland who passed on the responsibility of marking Fletcher moments before the cross was whipped in. 6
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Joe Ledley Provided precision delivery from dead-ball situations, his distribution in open play left much to be desired at times. 5
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Mile Jedinak Had captained Palace in every one of their Premier League matches since their return to the top flight, but that record will come to an end after the Aussie picked up a red card this evening. Handed his second booking in the final minutes of the match after being found guilty of too many questionably abrasive challenges. 5
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Yannick Bolasie His typically maverick approach caused Sunderland a number of problems down both flanks, but Warnock had best lock away the Congolese winger’s ‘shooting’ boots after some alarmingly inaccurate efforts. A joy to watch at times, frustrating at others, the game’s never dull with Bolasie around, but Warnock will be left feeling that he could have inflicted even more. 7
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Wilfried Zaha The zippy winger endured a tough battle with Van Aanholt, before a tussle just outside the penalty box saw the former Chelsea man stretchered off with a suspected dislocated shoulder. Posed more of a direct goal threat in the second half, and his quick footwork eventually lead to Palace’s equaliser. 7
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Marouane Chamakh Worked hard throughout, and offered some nice touches, but didn’t quite have the physical presence to trouble an inspired John O’Shea. Replaced by Puncheon in the 76th minute. 6
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Fraizer Campbell Started like an express train and should have been awarded a penalty after darting through the Sunderland backline in the opening minutes. He’s an absolute nuisance in and around the box, and caused his old club problems whenever he had the ball – he just needs to see more of it. 7
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings From the bench: Jason Puncheon Replaced Chamakh but gave away the ball carelessly to present Sunderland with their third. 5
Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Costel Pantilimon Replaced Vito Mannone and looked much more comfortable than the Italian. Confident from crosses and unlucky to concede after producing a fantastic save just before Wes Brown scored an own goal. 8
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Anthony Reveillere Hugely impressive on his full debut, dealing with most of what Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha offered. Switched over to the left after the Van Aanholt injury and was just as steady; a good find by Gus Poyet. 8
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Santiago Vergini Extremely lucky not to give away a penalty in the opening minute, much more comfortable as a centre-back before he had to move to right-back. 6
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings John O'Shea For all his experience he can still look uncomfortable in possession at times, though he defended stoutly and led his team to a much-needed victory. 7
Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Patrick van Aanholt Sunderland’s best player before he was taken off in the first-half with what looked like a dislocated shoulder – though he was lucky not to concede a penalty for the tackle that injured him. 6
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Lee Cattermole Typically robust and battling performance from the hard-working midfielder who covered every blade of grass; wasted a couple of good openings with wayward passing. 7
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Sebastian Larsson Always eager to run the hard yards either defensively or to support the strikers. Failed to deliver with his set-pieces but his graft helped nullify the Palace threay. 7
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Will Buckley Like the rest of his team, worked extremely hard but failed to have much of an impact on the attacking end. 6
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Jordi Gomez A passenger until his beautiful, decisive strike put the visitors in the lead with 10 minutes remaining. 7
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Connor Wickham Another hard worker for Gus Poyet, Wickham, playing mostly on the right, didn’t have any openings on goal but was a real team performer. 7
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings Steven Fletcher The star man, not only did the Scot take both his goals expertly he was a constant threat to the Palace defenders and a good outlet for his team. 8
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Crystal Palace 1 Sunderland 3 - player ratings From the bench: Wes Brown An absolutely comical own goal to follow last week’s gaffe against Arsenal, it’s hard to believe this is the same man who once started in a Champions League final. 5
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