Eagles well-beaten by Robins

Bristol City got their npower Championship campaign off and running at the second attempt as a 4-1 victory inflicted back-to-back defeats on Crystal Palace.

The Robins' new signing, Sam Baldock, was paraded before the Ashton Gate faithful at the break following his move from West Ham on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. But he may find it hard to break into Derek McInnes' starting XI on this showing. Jon Stead rattled the woodwork with a header before the striker provided the assist for Ryan Taylor to hammer home the hosts' first after only nine minutes. Palace were reeling and were hit by a second only three minutes later. This time it was Martyn Woolford who registered, hitting home left-footed from 12 yards. Louis Carey was booked for a challenge on Aaron Wilbraham after 55 minutes, but the game was effectively over four minutes later when another foul, this time by Jonathan Parr on Stead in the penalty area, led to a spot-kick which was easily despatched by Stead to make it 3-0. Palace continued to press, though, and were rewarded for their efforts with 26 minutes left when Kagisho Dikgacoi struck home after good work from Owen Garvan and Wilbraham. But any chance of a late Palace comeback was finally snuffed out by Albert Adomah with nine minutes left when he hammered home in impressive fashion from 25 yards to complete the home side's rout.