April 5 2005

Sandor Torghelle

Sandor Torghelle netted a hat-trick as the reserves trounced Portsmouth 8-0 at Selhurst Park.

Nicola Ventola made his long-awaited return to action since breaking his ankle during training in September.

And the Italian opened the scoring after 27 minutes, getting on the end of a ball over the Pompey defence and lobbing keeper Andrea Guatelli.

Torghelle grabbed his first of the night a few minutes before half-time, with a shot on the turn inside the box that curled past the keeper.

A few minutes into the second half, Torghelle scored his second. Vasilis Lakis' cross from the left was met by Ben Watson at the far post, who squared to Torghelle and he rifled in from six yards.

On 57 minutes, Danny Butterfield's cross fom the right was steered home by Watson to make it 4-0.

The fifth goal arrived in the 70th minute. Torghelle took advantage of a poor Portsmouth clearance, went on a run into the box and set up sub Lewis Grabban to net from 10 yards.

A minute later, Torghelle knocked the ball past Guatelli to allow Anthony Danze the easiest of goals from close range for number six.

Torghelle completed his hat-trick and Palace's seventh in the 78th minute with a strike from inside the box.

And the eighth goal was scored by Joonas Kolkka, who stabbed home after Danze's shot was parried by Guatelli.

Palace: Speroni, Butterfield (Fray 71), Powell (R Hall 64), Wilson, Borrowdale, Lakis, Watson, Danze, Kolkka, Ventola (Grabban 46), Torghelle.

Subs not used: Banks, Berry.

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