March 10 2007

Ben Watson

Goals by Carl Fletcher and Ben Watson brought Crystal Palace a 2-0 win over Leicester, reports Peter Gillman.

It was an impressive Palace performance, ending Leicester’s unbeaten six-match run.

Dougie Freedman had an inspired game playing behind the two strikers, and there were cheers for MICHAEL HUGHES when he came on as a substitute in the second half.

Palace went ahead in the 13th minute after Fletcher collected a cross from Soares on the right. Foxes keeper Henderson appeared to have Fletcher’s shot covered but the ball crept into the net, with Clinton Morrison to collect any rebound.

Morrison should have put Palace two ahead on 37 minutes but his volley, from a Fletcher cross, slid past the post.

Palace pressed hard after the break and Morrison, clear in front of goal, narrowly failed to get a touch to a Soares cross. Then Scowcroft fired wide from a good position.

Leicester’s first clear chance came on 53 minutes when Stearman directed a free header wide of the far post.

Hughsie had a rapturous reception when he replaced the Doug on 72 minutes and soon showed some creative touches. But Leicester were fighting back and came closest on 88 minutes when Gabor Kiraly had to dive low to his right to divert a shot from Jarrett.

The Palace crowd groaned when four minutes of added time were announced. But after two minutes Soares crossed from the right and defender Yeates was judged to have handled the ball.

With no Dougie on the pitch, Ben Watson stepped up to take the penalty. He coolly sent Henderson the wrong way to seal Palace’s win.

Tom Soares was judged Palace’s man of the match.

Palace: Kiraly; Lawrence, Cort, Hudson, Borrowdale; Soares, Fletcher, Watson, Freedman (HUGHES 72); Morrison (Grabban 78), Scowcroft.

Subs(not used): Speroni, Butterfield, Martin.

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