Marlon King has scored 22 goals this season, and his game has gone to another level Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd

Marlon King, Ashley Young and Matthew Spring scored second-half goals.

"It is only half time," said Boothroyd. "There is a game to deal with at Vicarage Road and 3-0 is nothing. I know that anything is possible.

"Palace have an England striker in Andrew Johnson, a terrific manager in Iain Dowie and so we will be taking nothing for granted."

Boothroyd was full of praise for King, who opened the scoring in the match in the first minute of the second half.

"Marlon has scored 22 goals this season, and his game has gone to another level," said Boothroyd.

If this were a poker hand, you would not bet too heavily on it Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie

"He is a leader. Not only can he score goals, but he can make them for others as well."

But Palace manager Iain Dowie admitted his team are in a perilous position.

"If this were a poker hand, you would not bet too heavily on it," said Dowie.

"We had a mad minute after half-time when we conceded a foolish goal, and from then on we were chasing the game.

"Watford's second goal from Ashley Young was a great free-kick, but after that we lost our team discipline."

And Dowie felt Clinton Morrison was held back by defender Jay DeMerit when the striker was clean through during the first half.

"That was a major decision, and the officials didn't get it right," added Dowie.