Match Reports

Albion v Crystal Palace match report

ALBION bowed out of the Carabao Cup courtesy of a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in their Round Three-tie at The Hawthorns.

Andros Townsend's long-range strike after just six minutes put the Premier League visitors into an early lead before Patrick van Aanholt doubled their advantage in the 76th minute with another well-taken effort.

Townsend then grabbed his second of the evening, curling in off the far post, to confirm defeat and ensure Albion's six-match winning run on home soil came to an end.

Darren Moore's side, which showed 10 changes from Saturday's league victory over Millwall, exit the cup competition but will quickly move their attentions to this weekend's Championship trip to Preston North End.

Albion found themselves behind early on courtesy of Townsend's superb finish, with the lively Eagles forward carrying the ball from his own half before sending a 30-yard strike over Boaz Myhill.

James Morrison fired a long-range effort wide for the Baggies in response while, at the other end, Ahmed Hegazi was forced to clear the danger after Jeffrey Schlupp had knocked the ball around Myhill.

Schlupp sent another effort off target as the visitors largely enjoyed the better of the first half, although the hosts rallied before the break and Morrison was denied by a super save from Vicente Guaita.

Hegazi was crucially called upon again just before the interval, heading Townsend's effort off the line at the far post as the Eagles held a slender advantage heading into the second period.

Townsend and Schlupp were posing a real danger and the latter was next to threaten as he forced a smart reflex save from Myhill.

Moore made a triple substitution just after the hour mark, introducing Chris Brunt, Kyle Edwards and Kyle Howkins.

And it was Howkins whose saw his header saved by Guaita with the tie well poised, but Palace took firm control late on thanks to two goals in five minutes.

Van Aanholt sent a fine finish beyond Myhill to make it 2-0 before Townsend then added a third off the far post in the 81st minute.

It sealed victory for former Baggies boss Roy Hodgson as his Eagles side progressed to Round Four, while Albion's League Cup journey came to an end for this season following victories over Luton Town and Mansfield Town.

ALBION: Myhill, Adarabioyo, Hegazi (Howkins 62), Field, Mears (Edwards 63), Harper, Barry (c) (Brunt 63), Townsend, Hoolahan, Morrison, Robson-Kanu.

Subs: Bond, Leko, Burke, Gayle.

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