Eagles hit the spot

August 12 2003

Cedric Berthelin

Cedric Berthelin was Palace's hero, saving two spot-kicks as the Eagles beat Torquay 3-1 on penalties in the Carling Cup First Round, after the game ended 1-1.

For the second match in a row Dougie Freedman scored - his fourth in two games - and Palace had another player sent off. This time Tony Popovic for violent conduct after 75 minutes.

Palace survived a real scare and are a little fortunate to be in the hat for the second round when some of the Premiership sides come in.

Torquay featured a few former Palace players: David Woozley, Sean Hankin and an old Palace trialist Joe Kuffour.

Freedman continued his good form by giving the Eagles the lead on 30 minutes, volleying home from 25 yards.

But on the hour mark David Graham levelled the scores for Torquay with an 18-yard strike.

Palace were made to sweat it out for the remaining 15 minutes of normal time and half an hour of extra time with 10 men when Popovic was shown red for a foul on Woozley.

Berthelin made a great save to deny Torquay's Matt Hockley from scoring before the drama of the penalty shoot-out.

Andy Johnson, Shaun Derry and Freedman al scored for Palace while Berthelin saved Alex Russell and Craig Taylor's kicks, then Graham blasted over the bar.

Torquay: Van Heusden, Canoville, Woods, Taylor, Hankin, Hill, Hockley, Russell, Fowler, Kuffour, Woozley.

Subs: Dearden, Benefield, Graham, Wills, Burgess.

Crystal Palace: Berthelin, Powell, Symons, Popovic, Butterfield, Riihilahti, Derry, Routledge, Johnson, Freedman, Shipperley.

Subs: Clarke, Black, Williams, Smith, Watson.

In Depth Carling Cup 2003/04

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