March 14 2007

Ben Watson

Crystal Palace grabbed a dramatic 3-2 win at West Brom, reports Peter Gillman.

Ten-man West Brom looked to have secured a draw with an equaliser on 75 minutes, but Lewis Grabban scored in the fourth minute of added time with the last kick of the game. The win keeps Palace's slender playoff hopes tantalisingly alive.

Palace defended strongly for the first 20 minutes, defying West Brom any space to mount attacks.

West Brom went ahead on 25 minutes from a free-kick after Gary Borrowdale was judged to have fouled Kamara 20 yards out.

Palace formed a wall but a low shot from Neil Clement somehow crept under one of the defenders to leave Gabor Kiraly stranded.

Palace equalised on 34 minutes through Clinton Morrison. After a mix-up between two West Brom defenders, Morrison seized on the ball and slammed it past keeper Dean Kiely from 15 yards.

Palace went ahead five minutes before the break. Michael Hughes broke into the area and was tripped by sub Martin Albrechtsen, who was red-carded just three minutes after replacing defender Davies.

Ben Watson scored from the spot, his second successful penalty in the space of five days.

Four minutes after half-time Morrison hit the crossbar after a shot by Jamie Scowcroft was blocked. Both sides stepped up the pace and first Kiraly made a stunning save from Kamara, then moments later Kiely turned a shot from Scowcroft for a corner.

There was controversy on 55 minutes when Mark Hudson dragged down Kamara on the edge of the area. With West Brom appealing for a penalty, ref Friend gave a freekick.

West Brom levelled on 75 minutes through Kevin Phillips who picked up a deep cross from Kamara and shot home in a one-on-one with Kiraly.

Palace were still making chances and both Watson and Soares made threatening runs into the West Brom area. But West Brom were pressing hard and it looked as though Palace would be grateful to hang on for a point.

West Brom took a corner with seconds remaining and the ball was cleared to Grabban, who had come on as sub on 85 minutes.

Grabban burst into the West Brom area and Kiely saved his first shot. He collected the rebound and drove it home for a stunning victory.

Palace: Kiraly; Lawrence, Cort, Hudson, Borrowdale (Butterfield 72); Soares, Watson, Fletcher, Hughes (Grabban 85); Morrison (Martin 78), Scowcroft.

Subs not used: Speroni, Freedman.

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