Crystal Palace 2-1 Ipswich: James McArthur's curling double sees hosts progress to Carabao Cup third round
- James McArthur opened the scoring with a left-footed strike on 76 minutes
- He doubled his and Palace's total eight minutes later with a right-footed effort
- Bersant Celina pulled one back for Ipswich Town in injury time from close range
- The win is Crystal Palace's first of the season after two Premier League defeats
- Yohan Cabaye made his first appearance of the season for the Eagles since injury
It wasn't pretty but finally the Frank de Boer era is up and running.
The Dutchman notched his first win as Crystal Palace manager on Tuesday night as his team toiled to victory over Ipswich in the EFL Cup.
De Boer has ambidextrous James McArthur to thank for his landmark triumph; the Scotland international firing home two sizzling goals with both feet.
James McArthur (right) was Crystal Palace's hero as they beat Ipswich in the Carabao Cup
The midfielder is congratulated by his team-mates after breaking the deadlock on 76 minutes
This was not a night that will live long in the memory; but for De Boer it'll come as a massive weight off his shoulders.
Palace made seven changes from the loss at Liverpool; while Mick McCarthy included six teenagers in his team as he picked 11 different players from the side that beat Brentford on Saturday.
On paper, this should have been a cruise for Palace, the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Scott Dann and James McArthur all named in the starting XI.
But McCarthy's kids were far from overawed by their more illustrious opponents, more than holding their own during the opening exchanges.
The best Palace had to show for their opening 45 minutes was a McArthur free-kick that was kept out by Dean Gerken on the stroke of half-time.
All very uninspiring. The home support tried to wake Palace out of the slumber, but there was a lethargy about De Boer's side.
Palace have bigger fish to fry, of course. But after losing his first two competitive games in charge, this was a perfect opportunity for De Boer to get off the mark.
Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy shakes the hand of his counterpart Frank de Boer
Crystal Palace midfielder McArthur dribbles with the ball during the early exchanges
Yohan Cabaye (left) was making his first appearance for Palace this season due to injury
Jason Puncheon (left) and Ipswich's Flynn Downes tussle for the ball at Selhurst Park
McCarthy, though, would have been delighted with his fledglings. They were non-existent as an attacking entity - but they were more than coping with what Palace were throwing at them.
Sullay Kaikai forced Gerken into another stop soon after the restart with a low drive the Ipswich keeper tipped round the post.
But still the chances were few and far between for the Eagles. De Boer introduced Andros Townsend in a bid to inject some life into his team in the 56th minute.
Ipswich, though, continued to hang in there and in Bersant Celina, on loan from Manchester City, they had a player who was starting to cause Palace a few problems.
Eventually, though, Palace's experience told. McArthur picked up a loose ball midway inside Ipswich's and simply drove at Gerken's goal.
McArthur was a picture of happiness with six minutes when he scored another superb goal
A well executed touch inside and an exquisite curling left foot effort later and Palace were finally ahead in the 76th minute.
You could sense the relief lift off Selhurst Park.
Jason Lokilo missed two excellent chances to score a debut goal; one saved and the other striking Gerken's near post.
But McArthur doubled Palace's lead with another fine strike - this time with his right foot - past keeper Gerken before Celina grabbed a late consolation for plucky Ipswich.
Bersant Celina, pictured in the first half, pulled one back for Ipswich in second-half injury time
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