January 4 2003

Tommy Black

Crystal Palace booked a place in the FA Cup fourth round thanks to another Tommy Black brace to set the Eagles up for a 2-1 win at Blackpool.

The in-form striker bagged his ninth goal in as many games, but Blackpool gave Palace an early scare in the tenth minute.

They took the lead when Tony Popovic put the ball into his own net as he was put under pressure trying to clear away a corner.

Three minutes beforehand, Alex Kolinko had to tip away a 25-yard crack from Pool's Richard Walker which was heading for the top corner.

Black wasted a chance from six yards out and Danny Butterfield nearly equalised with a shot just wide of the goal.

For the second half, Trevor Francis opted for a more attacking formation by bringing on Ade Akinbiyi for Danny Granville and Akinbiyi fired wide seven minutes in.

In the 56th minute, Palace got the breakthrough they deserved after second half pressure. Butterfield's deep cross was headed home by Black at the far post.

In the 64th minute, Black fired home again from the penalty spot after his initial attampt was saved by the keeper. He was brought down by John O'Kane.

New goalkeeper Cedric Berthelin made his Palace debut after replacing the injured Kolinko in goal in the 76th minute.

Blackpool: Barnes, Richardson, Grayson, Chris Clarke (O'Kane 58), Coid (Bullock 74), Thornley (Collins 58), Wellens, Southern, Hills, Murphy, Walker.

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Dalglish.

Booked: Murphy.

Crystal Palace: Kolinko (Berthelin 76), Symons, Mullins, Popovic, Butterfield, Granville (Akinbiyi 45), Derry, Riihilahti, Gray, Adebola (Borrowdale 78), Black.

Subs Not Used: Routledge, Antwi.

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