Eagles fans could have been forgiven for looking twice at the names on the scoresheet on Saturday.

Paul Ifill’s brilliant half volley and Shefki Kuqi’s exquisite chip saw Palace beat Forest at the City Ground, but only two months ago it seemed that neither would play for Palace again, let alone score.

Ifill had made just 30 appearances in one and a half seasons at Selhurst Park at the start of the campaign but after being placed on the transfer-list in August he has enjoyed a resurgence, starting the last six games and scoring twice.

His performance on Saturday epitomised this turnaround with his running and movement a constant threat to the Forest defence.

Kuqi endured seven months in the wilderness since making a rude gesture to fans in February but with no one wanting to take him away from SE25 he has returned to the squad, coming on as a substitute in the last three games.

He had half an hour on Saturday on took his goal really well, chipping over Paul Smith from close to the touchline, but whether he will still be in the side once Palace’s other strikers return to fitness we will have to wait and see.

Either way it's a strange turnaround for two players who have endured their fair share of stick from the Selhurst crowd.