April 23 2006

Clinton Morrison

I have seen everything now at Selhurst Park this season. AJ showed loyalty, Clinton came home, we beat the European Champions and now, a flying pig is seen at Selhurst, writes Simon Pophale.

I refer of course to the return of Kevin Miller, but he could not stop us notching a 2-1 win against Southampton, which kept us in touch with the teams above.

Iain Dowie made a few changes for the previous match at Burnley with Danny Butterfield returning to the side for the 1st time since October. Tony Popovic also made a return from injury, while AJ returned up front.

It was an open start to the game, with chances falling at both ends. Gabor Kiraly was called in to save from Gregorz Rasiak while AJ forced 2 saves from the much derided Miller.

However we should have been in front as Hughes squared the ball to Fitz Hall and with a one-on-one situation – shot wide, the offside flag being the only saving grace to save his blushes.

On 22 minutes, we should have taken the lead, and it was ex-pieman Miller that thwarted us. Jim Brennan headed Popovic’s header from a corner off the line and the rebound went straight to Freedman whose shot was kept out by Miller.

Southampton showed that their play has been influenced by ex-rugby coach Clive Woodward as they sent a plethora of shots over the bar, rather than under it as Surman, Dyer and that perennial thorn in our side, Ricardo Fuller all guilty of misses.

With a goalless first half, we were all hoping that we could finish the season with a flourish. There are still places in the top six to play for after all but Southampton went closest to scoring as Kiraly had to be alert to save another shot from Nathan Dyer.

Fuller had not really done anything during the match but on the hour, he nearly supplied the pass for the opening goal, as his low cross was met 6 yards out by Surman who put his effort wide, when it looked easier to score.

That was the wake-up call that was needed and within minutes, Tony Popovic slipped a perfect ball to Freedman and with only Miller to beat, Dougie rounded him but was tripped.

Electing to stay on his feet, the chance went away but it showed once again that referees this season just don’t want to give us penalties. We had a good shout for one in the first half turned down and it looked like that for the 5th match in a row against Saints, it was going to end in a draw.

We kept up the pressure and managed to find the net on 63 minutes. Marco Reich shot was charged down and with the ball falling to Andy Johnson, he doesn’t miss from 6 yards.

But almost as soon as we took the lead, then we relinquished it as Darren Potter floated in free kick and Ricardo Fuller (who else!) equalised with a text book header. He should be added to the list of strikers who always score against Palace, as he has done it now for four different clubs.

Dowie brought on Clinton Morrison in the hope of snatching the win and this was exactly what happened as with 7 minutes to go, Poppa put yet another perfect defence splitting pass through and Morrison netted his 13th goal of the season.

So no return for Miller and it was a bad day all round for Saints, as Portsmouth came from behind to boost their survivial bid. "Have we f**ked up your weekend?" rang out from the Holmesdale. The silence spoke volumes.