Crystal Palace's good run of form continued with a comfortable 4-1 win over Blackpool at Selhurst Park.
Palace rise to see of Seasiders
Crystal Palace's good run of form continued with a comfortable 4-1 win over Blackpool at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles were ahead within four minutes as Alan Lee pounced, and the lead was doubled as Neil Danns struck.
Blackpool fought their way back into the game as Alex Baptiste scored, but they were to be denied as second half goals from Darren Ambrose and Alassane N'Diaye sealed the win.
Palace came flying out the traps and got off to a perfect start after only three minutes when Butterfield received the ball on the right and whipped in a superb cross for Lee to head home.
The goal rocked Blackpool but they gradually began to get into the game and Derry fouled Charlie Adam, who picked himself up and fired a free-kick from 30 yards over the bar.
Keith Southern also saw a shot saved by Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni, but the hosts came close to doubling their lead moments later when Sean Scannell's effort cannoned off the post.
Lead doubled
The Eagles did double their lead just after the half-hour mark when the Blackpool defence again allowed room down the right and Derry whipped in a pinpoint cross to Neil Danns which he headed past the helpless Paul Rachubka.
Blackpool immediately set about finding a way back into the game before half time and the impressive Alex Baptiste let fly from distance but his shot flew over the bar.
Palace started well after half-time with Darren Ambrose volleying at Rachubka but Blackpool pulled a goal back eight minutes after the break.
David Vaughan received the ball on the right and his cross caught out Paddy McCarthy, who got the wrong side of Baptiste and he planted home the header.
The visitors began to push forward in search of an equaliser and Neal Eardley found space on the edge of the penalty area but dragged his shot wide.
And just after the hour mark Blackpool could have been level when Vaughan's corner found Alex Baptiste, but he headed wide from six yards.
Minutes later Palace made the Seasiders pay for that miss when Johannes Ertl played a through ball to Ambrose and he lofted the ball over Rachubka to restore the two-goal advantage.
The goal took the sting out of Blackpool but Stephen Crainey smashed a free-kick into the wall before Ben Burgess was denied by Speroni.
Moments later, Hills got away down the left and squared the ball for the onrushing N'Diaye, who made no mistake from close range to complete the rout.
