May 13 2005

Crystal Palace

Nicola Ventola feels he can handle the "responsibility" of scoring the goals that will beat Charlton on Sunday and give Palace a chance of staying in the Premiership, by Stuart Pink.

The 25-year-old Italian came off the bench after eight months on the sidelines to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead against Southampton last Saturday, but saw his fairy tale story ruined by Danny Higginbotham's last-gasp equaliser.

But Ventola is hoping he did enough to tempt Iain Dowie to give him his first start in a Palace shirt on Sunday and help Palace achieve an essential three points.

Ventola said: "I feel a responsibility now if I play.

"There is a lot of tension, psychologically, and with it being the last game it needs goals. I will take the responsibility.

"But these are the best feelings you can get out of playing football, those adrenaline moments."

The former Inter Milan striker described his goal as a "beautiful moment" and dedicated it to Palace fitness coach John Harbin, who has nursed Ventola back to recovery after he sustained a broken ankle in September.

Ventola said: "It was a beautiful moment. It was like a film. Every week with John and the physio we talked about me scoring the most important goal. I thought I scored the goal to save Palace, but it wasn't enough."

"When I scored I said, Thank you John, thank you'. He was very happy. He was crying and kissing me.

"Everyone was jumping on me. I said to John Ow'. I think my ribs are broken.

"It was a very happy moment for a lot of people."

But despite his goal, Ventola admitted he was heartbroken when Saints equalised and subsequently took Palace's advantage in the survival race away, handing it to Norwich.

Ventola said: "It broke my heart. If we had won this match, it would have been very simple to stay in the Premiership "Now it doesn't depend on us whether or not we stay up. It depends on the other teams and other games if we stay in the Premiership."

Ventola's long-term future at Palace will be determined by Palace's league status next season, as the Italian has hinted that he would only stay if Palace remain in the Premiership.

But there is no doubt that Ventola has been moved by warmth of the Palace fans and is grateful for the reception he receives at Selhurst Park.

Ventola added: "I get really emotional when I hear the people say my name.

"That is how I felt against Liverpool when they read my name out for the substitutes. I can feel how sincere the applause always is. I am really happy about that."

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