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April 23 2024 3.45pm

Palace 0 - 0 Liverpool

Sun Jan 26 2003 - FA Cup

Crystal Palace held Liverpool to a goaless draw at Selhurst Park in the FA Cup Fourth Round.

They matched Liverpool stride for stride and could have snatched a late winner four minutes from time when Tony Popovic’s goalbound header was diverted over the bar from Emile Heskey’s outstretched leg.

Match Stats

Ground: Selhurst Park (Attendance: 26054)

Palace: Kolinko, Fleming, Symons, Popovic, Butterfield, Mullins, Derry, Gray (Granville, 81), Black (Routledge, 65), Adebola (Akinbiyi, 74), Johnson

Subs not used: Berthelin, Borrowdale

Booking: Fleming

Liverpool: Kirkland ( Dudek, 25), Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Riise, Murphy, Gerrard, Cheyrou (Diao, 89), Diouf (Biscan, 85), Owen, Heskey

Subs not used: Baros, Mellor

Bookings: Carragher, Cheyrou

Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville)

Dele Adebola could have put Palace into an early lead with a header which flashed across the goal.

Then Liverpool were dealt a major blow when goalkeeper Chris Kirkland had to be stretchered off with a knee injury after a collision with Dele Adebola.

The loose ball fell to Andy Johnson and his shot was cleared off the line as Kirkland was on the floor motionless.

The Eagles defence had Michael Owen and Heskey under wraps as they were totally anonymous throughout.

Owen’s only effort on goal was a 63rd minute shot which Kolinko easily collected and likewise for Bruno Cheyrou's volley and a John Aarne Riise low shot.

Julian Gray nearly gave Liverpool a goal when his backpass went past the onrushing Alex Kolinko. Luckily for Palace, the ball went the right side of the post.

The two teams will meet again in the replay at Anfield on Wednesday, February 5, kick-off 8pm. Tickets are currently on sale to season ticket holders and members – two per person.

Palace will find it tough – two seasons ago they lost 5-0 in the Worthington Cup semi-final second leg after beating the Reds 2-1 at Selhurst Park in the first leg – but will draw comfort as top striker Dougie Freedman should be fully-recovered from injury.

Post match comments:

Trevor Francis said: "I have got to be pleased with the way the players performed. They applied themselves well. I think Liverpool have come off knowing they have been in a tough cup tie.

"All in all I think we have done ourselves proud. What you have seen today is a team full of spirit and a great attitude.


I realise that we have thrown away our best chance of winning the tie, but I was rather pleased with our performance
Trevor Francis

"We have made ourselves tough to beat and I hope that for the replay we have one or two players back to fitness so we may be a bit stronger.

Francis added: "I realise that we have thrown away our best chance of winning the tie, but I was rather pleased with our performance.

"We concentrated well, something you have to do when you face players like Owen and Heskey. I thought our defence was excellent but it wasn't just about determination. At times I thought some of our football was sparkling."

He praised defender Hayden Mullins' man-of-the-match display: "He can play at the back in his suit. He is an outstanding player. Whether he is in midfield or at the back, he always gives a top performance."

Liverpool (H) Photos From The Terrace Photos

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