Crystal Palace have made a defiant start to life without Dougie Freedman and hold a deserved half-time lead over Barnsley at Oakwell.

The Eagles, who announced earlier today that Freedman had agreed to become the new manager of Bolton Wanderers, started brightly and deservedly broke the deadlock courtesy of Glenn Murray on 11 minutes.

Murray completed a patient passing move by tapping home Jonathan Parr's low left-footed cross from six yards.

Joe Ward then went close to doubling the visitors' lead, but his long-range effort was well blocked by goalkeeper Ben Alnwick.