May 3 2009

Julian Speroni

Crystal Palace signed off the season with a goalless draw at home to Sheffield United.

United were aiming to clinch automatic promotion with victory over Palace and and hope rivals Birmingham lost out to Reading.

They created the first chance after 11 minutes when David Cotterill charged down the right wing but his cross was headed wide by Darius Henderson.

Neil Danns volleyed off target for the Eagles after the ball broke lose on the edge of the area from a corner.

Cotterill blazed over from six yards when Palace failed to deal with Kyle Walker's long throw, then Julian Speroni pushed Chris Morgan's header over the bar. Just before the break, Cotterill blasted a low effort just past the post.

Two minutes into the second period Victor Moses broke clear, but under pressure from two Blades defenders, had his shot saved by Paddy Kenny.

Danns should have put Palace ahead on 57 minutes when he collected Nick Carle's neat pass but flashed his shot inches agonisingly wide with just Kenny to beat.

Speroni made a point-blank save to keep out Jamie Ward just past the hour mark, then the keeper was alert to tip over Greg Halford's header.

Morgan nodded against the post in stoppage time and the result means United will have to settle with the play-offs as Birmingham beat Reading.

Palace: Speroni, Lawrence, McCarthy, Jose Fonte, Hill, Ertl, Danns (Scowcroft 90), Carle, Moses (Rui Fonte 55), Kuqi, Stokes (Hills 72).

Not Used: Clyne, Cadogan.

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Walker, Kilgallon, Morgan, Naughton, Halford, Montgomery, Stephen Quinn (Webber 89), Cotterill, Henderson (Beattie 74), Ward (Lupoli 74).

Not Used: Hendrie, O'Toole.

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