May 4 2008

Ben Watson

Crystal Palace thrashed 10-man Burnley 5-0 to secure their spot in the Championship play-offs.

Ben Watson, Victor Moses, Tom Soares, Scott Sinclair and Clinton Morrison got the goals and Palace will now meet Bristol City in the two-legged semi-final.

Things began well for the Eagles as Burnley defender Clarke Carlisle was sent off in the sixth minute for hacking down Sinclair in the box.

Julian Speroni's long goal kick wasn't dealt with by Carlisle, and as Sinclair stole in, the defender hauled him down. He was shown the red card by referee Kevin Friend and Watson cooly despatched the spot-kick.

Three minutes later, Palace doubled their advantage through teenage ace Moses. Sinclair's cross on the left was cleared to Jose Fonte who headed back into the danger zone and Moses swept home.

Soares got his goal in the 37th minute when Morrison pulled the ball back for the midfielder to blast in from close range.

The pick of the goals came from Sinclair just past the hour mark. The on-loan Chelsea star went on a mazy run past three defenders and rifled a low effort past Jensen.

Four minutes later, Morrison scored the fifth goal by latching on to Watson's throughball to bury into the far corner.

The South Londoners ended the Championship campaign in fifth place and are just three games away from the Premier League.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, Hudson, Fonte, Hill, Derry (Fletcher 59), Watson, Soares, Sinclair, Morrison (Scannell 72), Moses (Ifill 32).

Not Used: Craig, Scowcroft.

Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Carlisle, Caldwell, Harley, Duff, Elliott (MacDonald 70), McCann (Mahon 81), Randall (Gudjonsson 46), James O'Connor, Blake.

Not Used: Kiraly, Jordan.