January 21 2007

Carl Fletcher

Crystal Palace's unbeaten run extended to seven matches, but threw away three points against Hull at Selhurst Park, writes Simon Pophale.

Peter TAYLOR opted for the same team that beat Coventry the previous week, with the only change being on the bench as Gabor Kiraly returned after his loan spell at Aston Villa.

However, the first half was quite different to the 5 star performance turned in at the Ricoh. Phil Brown has managed to pull Hull out of the relegation places and from the start, Hull came at us seeking to keep their good recent run going.

There was lots of huff and puff but chances were at a premium. Our best chance was after 25 minutes when Leon Cort forced a great save from Boaz Myhill who pushed his header from 6 yards away following a Mark Kennedy corner.

Kennedy was involved in setting up our next chance as well. Shefki Kuqi managed to stop the ball going out for a throw with a neat bit of skill, passing the ball behind him to STUART Green, who fed Kennedy and the Irishmans’ mazy run ended with a cross which Dougie Freedman headed but Myhill was equal to it.

2 minutes later Hull had their clearest sight of goal as Stephen McPhee bore down on goal with only Flinders to beat.

He pushed the ball past the on-rushing England under-20 International, but went to ground after overhitting the ball. Flinders was irate but referee Penton showed the yellow card to McPhee, who was substituted 2 minutes later for the old stager Dean Windass.

As the half drew to a close, Hull won a free kick outside the penalty box and Windass, who had not yet touched the ball, sent a pinpoint free kick which beat Flinders but crashed against the bar, only for Nicky Forster to hook the ball over from 5 yards out with the goal gaping.

We came out all guns blazing in the 2nd half and after Myhill had made saves from Mark Kennedy and a Shefki Kuqi header, we went in front on 50 minutes after McAnuff, wide on the left, pulled the ball back and Carl Fletcher met the ball fully 30 yards out and hit a screamer which Myhill didn’t even see.

Fletcher nearly repeated the trick 5 minutes later, but this time his 25 yard piledriver went just wide of the right hand post.

However, we then sat back and after TAYLOR left Kuqi on his own up front after a number of substitutions, Hull battled their way back into the game and we lost all composure. We gave up possession too easily and while Flinders did not have much to do in goal, the signs were that Hull were going to nick a point.

Which they duly did with 19 minutes to go. A Dean Marney corner was headed home by Ian Ashbee, who arrived in the area virtually unmarked.

We almost hit back immediately but Leon Corts’ close range effort was blocked following a corner by Myhill.

Hull nearly snatched a winner right at the end when Dean Windass headed against the bar right at the end, but it ended 1-1. Somehow this feels like 2 points dropped, but at least the unbeaten run continues.

Palace: Flinders, Hudson, Ward, Cort, Ward, Lawrence, Green (Ifill 61), Fletcher, Kennedy (Morrison 82), McAnuff, Freedman (Soares 70), Kuqi.

Subs not used: Kiraly, Butterfield.