December 16 2006

Julian Speroni

Palace lost disappointingly to Derby at Pride Park, going under by 1-0, reports Peter Gillman.

After being outplayed in the first half, the Eagles pushed strongly after half-time but could not capitalise on their pressure.

Palace had chances in the first ten minutes, Morrison having a shot blocked and Kuqi heading wide from a good position.

Derby took the lead on 24 minutes when David Jones picked up a cross from the left and cracked a left-foot shot past Speroni from eight yards.

Derby were sharper and more inventive than the Eagles but Kuqi missed a great chance a minute before half time, heading wide again from a cross by Jobi McAnuff.

Palace reorganised after half time and pushed hard for an equaliser, with chances falling to Soares, Hudson and Ward. Taylor reshuffled his forward line with 16 minutes remaining.

Scowcroft blasted over from 25 yards but Derby keeper Bywater was never really threatened in the closing stages of the match.

Then, with two minutes remaining of added time, Ward headed towards goal and with Bywater stranded Granville headed onto the roof of the net.

The loss confirms Palace’s dismal away record, with just two wins this season. It leaves them eleven points away from the playoff spots and just six points above the relegation positions.

Palace: Speroni; Lawrence, Ward, Hudson, Granville; Soares, Watson (sub Fletcher 46), Kennedy, McAnuff (Green 74); Kuqi (Scowcroft 74), Morrison.

Subs (not used): Flinders, Borrowdale.

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