December 23 2006

Mark Hudson

Palace took all three points against Sunderland, edging the Black Cats 1-0 with a first-half Hudson goal, reports Peter Gillman

Sunderland pressed hard in the second half but the Palace back four held firm and Julian Speroni made several crucial saves.

Sunderland had the early openings, with Miller and Leadbitter hitting wide from good positions.

On 23 minutes a long-range shot by Mark Kennedy was deflected and Sunderland keeper Darren Ward (no relation) made a good save. A minute later Clinton Morrison was put through by Kuqi but shot wide from a tight angle.

Palace's goal came on 40 minutes. Danny Butterfield hit a deep cross from the right and Shefki Kuqi made space to head the ball into the centre of the area. Mark Hudson, who was unmarked, hit a delightful left-foot volley which squeezed past Ward.

Sunderland began the second half strongly and Palace fell back on deep defence. Sunderland's Whitehead headed onto the top of the net and then Speroni made two acrobatic saves from close-range headers.

Dougie came on for Morrison on 82 minutes and should have had a penalty three minutes from time. After carrying the ball from the Palace half he broke into the Sunderland area, where Varga manhandled him off the ball. TV replays showed a clear penalty but referee Probert, who made a number of eccentric decisions, waved play on.

Palace played out time to clinch the points. The win lifts the Eagles to sixteenth place, nine points clear of the relegation slots. It also denies Roy Keane's Sunderland a place in the top six.

Palace: Speroni; Butterfield, Hudson, Ward, Borrowdale; Soares, Fletcher, Kennedy (Lawrence 89), McAnuff; Kuqi (Scowcroft 71), Morrison (Freedman 82).

Subs not used: Flinders, Reich.

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