Mamadou Sakho has been brilliant for Crystal Palace so far.

It is only his 12th league appearance of the season, but the Frenchman has looked calm and composed so far...barring that occasion when he gave the ball away.

Still plenty of time for Huddersfield to drag themselves back into this contest.

They are finding it difficult to gain any cohesion in the attacking third though.

Image source, Reuters

Huddersfield do manage to get in behind the Palace backline for the first time in the contest.

Colin Quaner pulls the ball back into the box towards Alex Pritchard, but visiting midfielder Luka Milivojevic makes a last-ditch tackle to avert the danger.

How have Huddersfield reacted?

Well, they are yet to get going here.

Manager David Wagner is pacing the touchline, a concerned man.

Every time Wilfried Zaha gets the ball, he looks like doing something with it.

The Crystal Palace winger stands up two Huddersfield defenders and manages to earn a corner.

Image source, Reuters

Oh no, just as Crystal Palace's injury concerns start to ease, another player is stricken.

Jeffrey Schlupp looks like he has an ankle problem and cannot continue, with Yohan Cabaye, only returning from a thigh problem himself, enters the action.

Wilfried Zaha makes such a difference to this Crystal Palace side.

The winger picks up a loose ball on the halfway line and in a flash is away on the attack.

He plays in striker Christian Benteke, who looks to make a yard, but his shot from inside the box is blocked by Christophe Schindler.

Good from both sides there.

Quarter of an hour gone and Crystal Palace's net remains untouched.

Progress.

Crystal Palace have conceded 26 goals in the opening 15 minutes of Premier League matches this season...and this was almost number 27.

Defender Mamadou Sakho plays a pass straight on to Alex Pritchard and it falls nicely for Steve Mounie on the edge of the box.

But to the former Liverpool player's credit, he recovers well by making inch-perfect sliding challenge on his fellow Frenchman.

Image source, Reuters

You know what, this has been the pattern of Crystal Palace's performances for much of this season.

A excellent early spell, but then they are left to rue missed chances.

Same again today?

Image source, Reuters

Lovely shape from Palace skipper Luka Milivojevic on the free-kick, but it sails a yard over the crossbar.

Image source, Reuters

Fantastic five minutes to this game, hopefully it continues.

Palace gain a free-kick 25 yards out after Huddersfield midfielder Aaron Mooy chops down winger Jeffrey Schlupp.

Wayne Hennessey???

The Crystal Palace goalkeeper looked so casual when Steve Mounie digs out a cross from the byeline, the Welshman stopper elects not to go for the ball.

The ball drifts over him and actually strikes the top of the crossbar.

Closer than we initially thought.

Mike Dean is today's referee.

This is a great opening by Crystal Palace.

Christian Benteke spins and picks out main man Wilfried Zaha down the left.

The Ivory Coast winger skips past two challenges, but his strike towards the far top corner is blocked by a blue and white shirt.

A very good start from Huddesrfield who earn an early corner.

It is played deep to the back post for James McArthur, but the Palace midfielder does not catch his volley properly and is unable to get enough purchase on the the rebound.

The Terriers eventually manage to clear the ball to safety.

Image source, Reuters

The scrap to stay in the Premier League is under way.

Martin Fisher
Match of the Day commentator at the John Smith's Stadium

Image source, Rex Features

Huddersfield's form may have dipped since Christmas but they're still very handily placed to prove many pundits wrong by surviving in the Premier League.

Four points clear of the relegation zone with just eight games to play is a position they would've settled for when the season kicked-off.

Four consecutive defeats have plunged Palace back into the relegation zone but their crippling injury list has improved, so Roy Hodgson will hope results do as well.

BBC Radio 5 live

Brighton midfielder Steve Sidwell: "Huddersfield would have been tipped to go straight back down when they got promoted, they were the underdogs and there was no pressure on them.

"The manager relays his messages to his players and the fans play their part too. It has now got to a point where you see who deals with the pressure the best."