December 15 2001

Pulled off some top saves

Palace lost 1-0 to Watford at Vicarage Road, going down to a first half goal by Gifton Noel-Williams.

Noel-Williams' strike was the only moment of any note in a dour first half played in freezing conditions.

In the 32nd minute, Alex Kolinko pulled off a great save to deny a free header from Tommy Smith from a Steven Glass cross.

But the only goal of the game came five minutes before the break. Noel-Williams drilled a low shot from the edge of the box, after a flick-on from Micah Hyde, to leave an unsighted Kolinko no chance.

Palace rallied, but could not get back into the game although it was Watford's only real effort on goal.

Clinton Morrison had a volley blocked by a defender and Dougie Freedman went close.

In the second half, Trevor Francis brought on Jovan Jirovski and Steve Thomson and this had an immediate effect for the visitors.

Palace had a 15 minute spell of pressure and Watford's Alec Chamberlain made good saves to deny close-range efforts from Freedman and Morrison.

He then tipped over a Kit Symons header from a Kirovski freekick and Thomson saw his deflected cross bounce twice on the crossbar. Had Palace scored any of these chances, the game would have been for the taking.

At the other end, Kolinko produced another stunning reaction save from Noel-Williams and Watford hit the bar themselves in the last ten minutes from Noel-Williams.