April 6 2004

Hayden Mullins returns to Selhurst

Defeats for West Ham and Sheffield United have left the play-off door ajar for Palace, but they will need to produce their best form of the season to gate-crash the party.

I may have been a bit hasty writing off their chances last week, because wins at Rotherham and Cardiff could put Palace within six points off West Ham (or less if they slip up against Derby), before the Irons visit Selhurst on Bank Holiday Monday.

At the time of writing Palace will need to win at least six of their remaining eight games to stand a chance.

But the first league visit to Selhurst by a West Ham side since the 3-3 draw in 1998, could prove the defining moment in both clubs’ season.

It’s looking like a sell out crowd for the long awaited grudge match which sees Andy Johnson and Marlon Harewood go head to head in the race to be top scorer, and also brings Hayden Mullins back to Palace for the first time.

If, and it’s a big ask, Palace can string three wins together, they will be three points the Irons with a game in hand with five to go. Being involved in the play-off race after Easter would be a remarkable achievement in itself for a side that was bottom three in early December.

The Croydon Guardian’s award winning kick by kick service will be at Ninian Park and Selhurst on Saturday and Easter Monday, Log on from 2.55pm.

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