Match-winner Chris Iwelumo believes Bristol City's players sent a powerful message to their critics by beating Championship rivals Crystal Palace. On loan from Premier League Wolves, the big striker scored a stunning winner 17 minutes from time to deliver a 1-0 victory which moved the Robins up to halfway in the table and eight points clear of the relegation zone. It was the perfect response to Saturday's crushing 5-2 home defeat at the hands of Doncaster, a result which put added pressure on manager Gary Johnson and his team. "We came here and proved a point," said Iwelumo, whose second goal of his loan spell earned City only their third away win of the campaign. "This was a pressure game and one we could ill-afford to lose. People were looking at us after what happened at the weekend and we knew we had to respond as a team and as individuals. It was all about pulling together, working hard for one another and showing that we were a better side than we were in the last game."
Bristol Evening Post
Chris Iwelumo scored what could be one of City's most important goals of the season to secure much-needed victory at Selhurst Park. Defeat against Championship strugglers Palace would have left the Robins staring down the barrel of a relegation battle with awkward fixtures away to Reading and Plymouth to negotiate in the next seven days. But when it was needed most, Iwelumo afforded City valuable breathing space with a 73rd minute strike of startling brilliance. City's third away win of the season served to carry them eight points clear of the Eagles, ease the pressure on under-fire manager Gary Johnson and restore some of the confidence lost during Saturday's horrendous 5-2 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers. It looked as though both sides would have to settle for a point when Iwelumo, the Scottish international striker signed on loan from Premier League Wolves last month, produced a moment of magic to break the deadlock.
Bristol Evening Post
Gary Johnson was delighted with the response of his Bristol City players after Chris Iwelumo's wonder strike secured a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. The Robins were thrashed 5-2 at home by Doncaster Rovers on Saturday but bounced back against a poor Palace side short on ideas. Iwelumo's strike, a spectacular volley on the turn that flew into the top corner after 74 minutes, was the only highlight of an otherwise drab game but Johnson was pleased with the performance. "It's not just the bouncing back that's delighted me," he said. "It's the nature of the performance as well. We felt we had to win all our battles over the field and then try and play our football and the tactic worked very well for us on the day. Our club is not bad at coming back from adversity."
Sporting Life
A moment of magic from Chris Iwelumo gave Bristol City just a second win from 11 games as they eased their relegation fears, leaving Crystal Palace in deep trouble at the foot of the Championship table. Scotland striker Iwelumo, on loan from Barclays Premier League side Wolves, struck a stunning volley with 17 minutes remaining to settle a dour contest at Selhurst Park. Iwelumo's spectacular goal from just inside the area was the second of his stay with the club and the Robins' first away goal since Boxing Day.
Daily Mail
Crystal Palace remain one place above the relegation zone after Chris Iwelumo grabbed the winner for a disciplined Bristol City side. The striker, on loan from Wolves, popped up to fire home with 17 minutes left as City scored their first away goal of the year. The visitors plonked five men across the midfield to frustrate their hosts and their caution was understandable after Saturday's 5-2 home drubbing by Doncaster and just one win in 10. But Iwelumo skied over their best early opportunity from eight yards, while Palace produced only a couple of speculative efforts.
Daily Star
