April 7 2009

Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace drew for a third match in a row against Coventry as the season enters its end game with a 1-1 draw, writes Simon Pophale.

This match was always going be about youth players, past and present. Coventry lined up with their young prodigy Aron Gunnarson and they had one of our former youth products, Clinton Morrison starting up front.

Meanwhile, we have seen the emergence this season of Nathaniel Clyne and the recent re-emergence to form of Victor Moses. Warnock had to bring another youth player Lee Hills into the side in the absence of Clint Hill, while the bench had its most youthful look as alongside Rui Fonte, JAMES COMLEY and Keiron Cadogan while Clyne got a rest with Matt Lawrence starting at right back.

We started well. We forced a number of corners and free kicks, with both Shefki Kuqi and Anthony Stokes causing the Coventry defence problems.

It was the constant direct running of Victor Moses that was the biggest threat but for all our possession, we were unable to force Kieron Westwood into a meaningful save.

Coventry were happy to sit back and hit us on the break and Gunnarson was the main outlet for their attacking threat. Not only was his passing allowing players like Isiah Osbourne space to whip crosses in, but his own long throws were a danger.

He was given plenty of close attention and more than once was he brought down, only to end up staying on the floor for maybe a bit longer than required, given that minutes later he was running just fine.

Our most dangerous move of the game on 30 minutes saw a four man move between Ifill, Danns, Stokes and Kuqi end up with the Finn heading tamely at Westwood but the resulting break saw Coventry take the lead.

Osbourne crossed and Gunnarson headed past Speroni to put the Midlanders a goal up which considering Speroni had hardly to make a save all half, was disappointing.

The 2nd half started a lot like the QPR match, with very little action and despite wayward efforts from Kuqi and Derry, we offered little.

Coventry could have gone two up if Gunnarson had not blasted over from close range, when it would appeared easier to score.

Warnock brought on Keiron Cadogan minutes before and the youngster had a telling impact on the game.

On 71 minutes Ben Turner harmlessly left a backpass which Cadogan pounced on, rounded Westwood and tucked with all the calmness of a seasoned pro.

Finally the majority of the sparse 12,898 crowd had something to cheer about and despite one late scare when Gunnarson managed to get the ball past Speroni and Lee Hills cleared off the line; we were more likely to win the match.

But for all of our running and possession, we only had a late Derry drive which flew past the post to show for our efforts.

With the season rapidly coming to its conclusion, it is clear that the likes of Cadogan and Moses, will have a huge part in next season. Whether we can keep the likes of Scannell and Clyne, is another matter entirely.

Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, Jose Fonte, Davis, Hills, Ifill (Cadogan 60), Danns, Derry, Moses, Kuqi, Stokes (Rui Fonte 69).

Subs Not Used: Carle, COMLEY, Clyne.