January 22 2003

Steve Coppell

When Crystal Palace marched to the League Cup semi-final in 1992/3, they had a memorable 2-1 home replay win over Graeme Souness' Liverpool... writes Gordon Law.

Steve Coppell's Palace side were struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League table. After getting stuffed 5-0 in the league at Anfield in November, they returned there in the Coca Cola Cup fourth round a few days later where they achieved a creditable 1-1 draw.

The replay was evenly-poised in front of a capacity crowd at Selhurst Park, especially after Liverpool boss Souness had accused Palace of dirty tactics in Merseyside.

The Eagles had an injury problems and new signings Chris Armstrong and Paul Williams were still unable to play in the competition as they were cup-tied. Coppell was left with just one fit, eligible forward - 19-year-old Grant Watts.

And the local youngster made a dream start to his career by giving the Eagles a shock lead in the 15th minute, heading home Simon Rodger's corner from an Andy Thorn trademark flick-on from close-range.

Liverpool equalised with a penalty 11 minutes later as Thorn was adjudged to have fouled Paul Stewart in the box and Mike Marsh coverted from the spot.

Liverpool could have gone in front when Mark Walters and then Jamie Redknapp saw shots crash off the Palace woodwork but the Eagles held firm as the game went into extra-time.

In the 101st minute, a free-kick into the Liverpool penalty box was sliced away by Steve Nicol and over keeper Mike Hooper where Thorn ran in to head into the back of the net.

The game ended 2-1 to Palace and afterwards Coppell said: "Although we were light up front in numbers we were well organised defensively, each and every player earned more than his money this week."

Palace disposed of Chelsea in the fifth round before somehow avoiding Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-final draw to get eventual winners Arsenal who they lost against over two legs.

Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw in the league encounter at Selhurst Park in March and Palace were relegated on goal difference with a tally of 49 points at the end of the season.

Palace: Martyn, Humphrey, Shaw, Southgate, Young, Thorn, Osbourn, Bowry, Rodger, Watts (Ndah 91 (Sinnott 119)), McGoldrick.

Liverpool: Hooper, Marsh, Jones (Tanner 110), Nicol, Piechnik, Stewart, McManaman (Rosenthal 51), Redknapp, Rush, Barnes, Walters.

Bookings: Shaw (Palace), Stewart (Liverpool).

Attendance: 19,622.

Referee: P L Foakes.