Nicky Maynard grabbed his fourth goal in three games to give Bristol City a deserved victory over Crystal Palace.
With only two minutes played, Stern John's corner found Maynard on the edge of the box and he curled home superbly.
City should have gone further ahead but Louis Carey headed wide, and Ivan Sproule hit the post in the first half.
The closest the visitors came to a goal was just before half-time when Lee Hills' shot from the edge of the box crashed against the crossbar.
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson on angry words being exchanged as the players left the field:
"Some players had handbags for Christmas and were anxious to show them off.
"You have to be prepared to battle with Palace for 90 minutes and right until you reach the dressing rooms.
"No one wanted to be a shrinking violet. We were strong in the game from the first whistle and that pleased me."
Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock:
"Seriously, I have no complaints.
"We had a poor first half hour and I feared we might be overrun. I was pleased it was only 1-0 at half-time.
"But we had chances in the second half and you could see they haven't been doing well at home by the celebrations at the end."
Bristol City: Basso, Orr, Carey, Fontaine, Brian Wilson, Sproule, Johnson (McCombe 90), Elliott, McIndoe, Maynard (Skuse 83), John (Adebola 73).
Subs Not Used: Trundle, Henderson.
Goals: Maynard 2.
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Clyne, Fonte, Lawrence, Hills (Kuqi 70), Butterfield, Carle, Derry, Ifill, Oster (Danns 71), Lee (Scannell 79).
Subs Not Used: Ertl, Griffit.
Booked: Butterfield, Fonte.
Att: 18,265
Ref: Andy Penn (W Midlands).
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