A deserved victory for Palace even though Charlton will point to a wrongly disallowed goal by Bradley Wright-Phillips in mitigation.
The visitors were quicker in their thought and movement and controlled large chunks of the game. The Addicks are finding life tough right now and failed to find the net at The Valley for a second successive game. Indeed, it is now 238 minutes since a Charlton player found the back of the net.
Players such as Johnnie Jackson and Yann Kermorgant – so influential last season – are struggling to impose themselves at this level. Chris Solly, who had to switch to the left following an early injury to Rhoys Wiggins, had a cracking game, as did Charlton’s star man, Dale Stephens.
Stephens returned as the expense of Jordan Cook, who failed to make the bench. Michael Smith was recalled to bench duties in place of Danny Haynes who was injured. Lawrie Wilson had to replace injury victim Wiggins after 22 minutes.
The Wright-Phillips effort came after 33 minutes when a free-kick was nodded into his path. The flag went up instantly but television replays clearly showed the goal should have stood.
The Eagles dominated the opening period though and it was no surprise when they took the lead six minutes after the break. Owen Garvan’s corner was headed back by Delaney for Kagico Dikgacoi to rifle home.
Powell introduced Ricardo Fuller for his home debut just before the hour mark to change his 4-4-2 formation into an attacking 4-3-3 shape. Ineffective skipper, Johnnie Jackson, was the man to make way, much to his obvious chagrin.
Bradley Pritchard, another who had failed to make an impact, was replaced by Green who became involved in some good things down the right with Lawrie Wilson.
The duo set up a glorious late chance for Fuller, who fired wide. Fuller had another effort that was scrambled on to the bar and, bizarrely, Ben Hamer had a stoppage time header cleared off the line by Garvan.
The match demonstrated to the Addicks just how difficult a league the Championship is.
Charlton Athletic: Hamer; Solly, Cort, Morrison, Wiggins (Wilson 22); Pritchard (Green 77), Stephens, Hollands, Jackson (Fuller 59); Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips.
Subs (not used): Button, Dervite, Kerkar, Smith.
Booked: Stephens 22 (foul), Wilson 62 (foul).
Crystal Palace: Speroni; Blake, Ramage, Delaney, Parr; Zaha (Ward 90), Jedinak, Dikgacoi, Garvan, Bolasie (Williams 75); Murray (Wilbrahim 87).
Subs (not used): Price, Moxey, Moritz, Goodwillie.
Goal: Dikgacoi 51.
Booked: Jedinak 69 (foul on), Bolasie 70 (kicking ball away).
Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).
Attn: 21,730 (3,217 Palace).