April 4 2009

Julian Speroni

Crystal Palace gained another point in what has now become a pointless season in a turgid 0-0 draw at Loftus Road, writes Simon Pophale.

The main action that surrounded this game was not about the goalscoring chances, but more about the sending off of Paulo Sousa just before half-time. In truth there was little action in a match which predictably ended in a draw, between 2 sides who could not be more different.

QPR, financed by some of the richest people in business, look to have cemented themselves in the mid-table for this season, while we are financially restricted until the summer, when we will reduce our wage bill.

Add to this, five members of our Premiership campaign now plied their trade in blue & white hoops: Mikele Leigertwood, Fitz Hall, Wayne Routledge, Gary Borrowdale and fitness coach John Harbin.

For all this back story, we started the brighter and Shaun Derry sent a fizzing shot inches over the bar on two minutes.

QPR then had a glorious chance on 13 minutes, Wayne Routledge (roundly booed every time he got a touch) threaded an inch perfect pass for Samuel Di Carmine but he could only shoot at Speroni, who saved well low down.

Speroni was called into action again on 24 minutes, punching away a Hogan Ephraim effort.

Di Carmine brought another save from Speroni on the half hour and we didn’t manage another shot on goal all half, but the real talking point came in first half injury-time.

Di Carmine and Claude Davis came together in a challenge, which saw the QPR man clutching his face on the touchline. Had Sousa stayed on the touchline, he might have been seen in the second half. His protests were a little too vociferous and he was sent to the stands.

Warnock must have made it clear to the players that this was a game that we could win, as we came out in the second half with new resolve and attacked with Stokes and Kuqi involved, but again we could not force Radek Cerny into a meaningful save.

Routledge then drove wide as he looked to silence the boo-boys but he was their most effective player on the day.

It would be his flick that set Adel Taraabt away but with only Speroni to beat, he blasted over the bar.

For us, Victor Moses was the standout player. Turning defenders inside out, supplying crosses and throws, corners and free kicks, he was the Palace heartbeat. Sadly for us, he was well marshalled and without a real goalscoring threat, the chances we had were few and far between.

The final whistle brought an end to a disappointing match, but it was a lovely sunny day and while we have no chance of finishing in the top 6, QPR must concede that their season ended today too.

Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, Davis, Clyne, Hill (Jose Fonte 40), Danns, Derry, Carle, Moses, Kuqi (Scowcroft 83), Stokes (Ifill 79).

Not Used: Hills, Rui Fonte.