Julian Speroni 7 - Palace’s most consistent player was reliable once again as his fantastic save at the feet of Chris Burke after Claude Davis’ dreadful pass back ensured his team weathered the early storm. From then on he had little to do and comfortably gained his second league clean sheet of the season.

Nathaniel Clyne 7 - The 19-year-old linked up well with Zaha down the right flank as well as being solid defensively. He was able to put in a number of telling crosses while he saw a great long-range effort well saved by the Cardiff keeper.

Claude Davis 5 - The big centre half was only on the pitch for 17 minutes before going down the tunnel with a back problem. He did almost gift Cardiff the lead though when his awful back pass left Speroni stranded. Had Palace conceded then it could have been a very different story.

Paddy McCarthy 7 - The skipper was at the heart of a resilient Palace defence and ensured that the Cardiff forward line was kept at bay. He dealt well with the physical Jay Bothroyd and shepherded Alex Marrow through the game when the youngster moved into central defence alongside him.

Edgar Davids 7 - The travelling support saw glimpses of what this man is all about for the first time. He broke up play well and set in motion Palace’s few raids on the home side’s goal. The Dutchman looked much more comfortable in the holding role having started at left back.

Alex Marrow 6 - Moved to centre back once Davis had gone off and did reasonably well. The 20-year-old had a good battle with Bothroyd and although he did not always come out on top he applied himself well. Mr Versatile.

Neil Danns 5 - Only on the pitch for 20 minutes before going off with a worrying medial ligament injury. The Eagles will be hoping the influential midfielder is not out for too long.

Owen Garvan 7 - The Irishman had little opportunity to spray the ball around but he did almost pop up with a goal for the visitors when he met Clyne’s long cross with his head. This was a mature performance from the 22-year-old who kept his position well and restricted Cardiff’s playmakers to minimal space.

Kieran Djilali 6 - The young wide man tried hard and did not stop running but was unable to get the better of his man. He cut something of a frustrated figure but still played his part in a good team performance.

Wilfried Zaha 8 - The 17-year-old was full of tricks and gave Cardiff left back Lee Naylor a torrid evening. He was a great outlet for the Eagles and produced a host of menacing crosses which deserved better. Naylor was eventually removed from the proceedings before Zaha embarrassed him anymore. Palace’s star man.

Pablo Counago 6 - The Spaniard was making his first start of the season and he acquitted himself well. The forward had a lonely job up front on his own in the pouring rain but he held up play well and almost beat Heaton with a powerful header at the near post.

Substitutes:

Julian Bennett (Davis, 17) 6 - Fitted in well after coming on so early. Although Chris Burke’s direct running unsettled him a bit in the second half he played his part in gaining a clean sheet for the back five.

Andrew Dorman (Danns, 20) 6 - Unable to get forward much but worked hard and hassled Cardiff’s influential midfielders Jason Koumas and Peter Whittingham.

Kieron Cadogan (Djilali, 89) 5 - Came on too late to make an impact.

Substitutes not used: Lewis Price, Calvin Andrew. Alassane N’Diaye, Stuart O’Keefe.