February 12 2004

Crystal Palace

For all the recent highlights in what is fast turning into a great season, there can be few more satisfying for Palace's 2,000 strong travelling army than thrashing the BlADEs at Bramall Lane!

Last season's last gasp winner from Wayne Allison; Peschisolido's offside league cup shocker; Shipps' missed penalty this season; and Neil Warnock dancing in Steve Kember's face - they have had all the joy, Palace all the pain.

At times it has seemed like perennial punishment for David Hopkin’s last minute play-off winner. But on Saturday Dowie’s men laid another ghost to rest, with a hard fought but ultimately comfortable win.

It is typically galling that Warnock had the humility to admit Palace deserved it, instead of the usual complaints and bitter outrage, but you can’t have everything.

Palace’s fifth consecutive away win is a feat they have not managed since the Glaziers won eight in the Southern League in 1907, which puts the current form in some context.

Five wins in a row, Shipps’ two goals in three games, AJ’s 21 goals, manager and player of the month for January and Palace are just four points off the play-offs - unbelievable for a bottom three side in December!

The only team in better form over the last six game are Stoke City - who visit Palace on Saturday.

The biggest crowd of the season roared Palace to victory over the Dons two weeks ago, let’s hope even more come to watch what should be a cracker against the Potters including the returning mis-hit man ADE AKINBIYI.

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