April 26 2010

Julian Speroni

Crystal Palace's survival hopes are hanging by a thread after they could not get the win required to secure safety as West Brom held them to a 1-1 draw.

Palace took the lead after Steven Reid's own goal, but Baggies defender Gabriel Tamas equalised shortly after to set up a nerve-wracking final game of the season.

The Eagles go to Sheffield Wednesday knowing a win or a draw will be enough to finish above their rivals and comdemn Wednesday to League One.

They will have to do it without goal-getter Neill Danns who will be suspended after he was sent off for aiming a headbutt at Graham Dorrans late on.

Albion had the ball in the Palace net on 13 minutes but it was ruled out as Simon Cox punched it past Julian Speroni.

Four minutes later, the Eagles took the lead when Darren Ambrose whipped in a free-kick from the right and Reid steered the ball into his own goal.

Bu the lead was short-lived as Albion levelled matters four minutes later when Tamas climbed highest to nod Chris Brunt's free-kick home.

Baggies keeper Carson then made an excellent save from Sean Scannell then Calvin Andrew headed the rebound just past the upright.

At the end of the first half, Roman Bednar hit the crossbar, Speroni denied Cox and Brunt before making a superb save to tip Graham Dorrans' dipping 30-yard strike over the bar.

After the interval, Speroni blocked Robert Koren's shot, then raced off his line to claw the ball from Bednar's feet as the striker attempted to round him and score.

A late rally from the Eagles saw Carson keep out Ambrose and sub Alan Lee, then Paddy McCarthy headed into the side-netting.

Seven minutes from the end, Danns saw red after tangling with Dorrans and throwing his head at the player, who got just a yellow card.

With the last kick of the game, Tamas cleared Ambrose's goal-bound shot off the line to set up a tense final match of the season at Sheffield Wednesday.

Palace need to avoid defeat to preserve their Championship status.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield, McCarthy, Lawrence (N'Diaye 90), Hill, Ambrose, Derry, Danns, Ertl (John 77), Scannell (Lee 68), Andrew.

Not Used: Mann, Clyne, Carle, Davis.

West Brom: Carson, Steven Reid, Olsson (Meite 77), Tamas, Cech,Koren (Barnes 71), Dorrans (Morrison 85), Mulumbu, Cox, Brunt, Bednar.

Not Used: Kiely, Mattock, Wood, Mantom.

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