February 21 2009

Julian Speroni

Neil Warnock endured an unhappy return to Sheffield as Crystal Palace lost 2-0 against Wednesday.

In a match that was full of huff and puff but without any quality, it was the Owls who had the first opportunity after 16 minutes.

Darren Potter found Francis Jeffers with a pass down the left wing and the striker crossed to Michael Gray inside the penalty box but his effort was repelled.

Sean McAllister almost put his side in front but mis-hit Marcus Tudgay's low cross from the left.

However, Palace should have taken the lead in the 19th minute when Victor Moses blasted John Oster's corner against the post after his initial header was blocked.

Jeffers had claims for a penalty turned down after he challenged Nathaniel Clyne shoulder to shoulder in the area.

Palace improved in the second period with Richard Hinds getting in the way of a Moses shot.

Then the Eagles were denied by the woodwork again as Clint Hill's header from an Oster free-kick smacked against the bar on 69 minutes.

Julian Speroni easily saved Darren Potter's free-kick but found Tudgay's shot after a fine run a bit more tricky and was forced to parry it out.

Wednesday broke the deadlock in the 80th minute when McAllister chested down in the area and fired a left-foot shot into the bottom corner.

And three minutes into stoppage time, they made it 2-0 after Johnson crossed low from the right and Clarke slotted home.

Sheff Wed: Grant, Simek, Beevers, Hinds, Spurr, Johnson (O'Connor 90), McAllister, Potter, Gray (Clarke 65), Jeffers (Small 78), Tudgay.

Not Used: O'Donnell, Boden.

Palace: Speroni, Hill, Jose Fonte, Davis (Lawrence 56), Clyne, Scannell, Derry (Butterfield 81), Danns, Oster, Lee, Moses (Kuqi 69).

Not Used: Carle, Rui Fonte.

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