The promotion favourites may have come to town and added another three points to there ever-increasing lead at the top of table but at least Peter Taylor can take some consolation that his side are not far behind.

In terms of ability and strength in-depth, Cardiff are no Reading, or even Sheffield United of last season.

The main difference between themselves and the chasing pack is they have an inform striker in the middle of a purple patch, winning them games out of nothing.

Palace had a man in Andrew Johnson who filled that role last season but have yet to replace him. But this can take time as Cardiff will note.

The Bluebirds struggled to fill the void left by Robert Earnshaw when he left Ninian Park three seasons ago. Chopra it seems has finally taken over the Welshman's mantle.

Taylor admitted in Saturday's post-match press conference that he would have been interested in Chopra if he had not already signed for Cardiff before he took over the Eagles hot-seat.

But where do you unearth these 30-goal a season gems? There are not many of them, particularly when the transfer deadline looms.

But Taylor did manage to secure Shefki Kuqi, a man with a proven scoring record in the Championship. There is no doubt Kuqi will score goals for Palace but I am not sure whether it will be alongside James Scowcroft.

The former Coventry striker has been one of Palace's best players this season but his partnership with Kuqi does not look a promising one. They are both target men who feed off the same balls and make the same runs.

Playing one alongside a smaller, nippier striker would be more effective - lets hope in he arrives January.