February 20 2011

Darren Ambrose

Crystal Palace boss Dougie Freedman singled Darren Ambrose out for special praise after his match winner against Sheffield United.

Ambrose netted a stunning second half goal to help ease Palace's relegation worries with a 1-0 win at home to lowly rivals Sheffield.

Freedman said: "I have taken him off in the last few games because of fitness level, but he looked great, he looked fresh. He knows how much I love him and he will always play in my team.

"Darren deserves a lot of credit, a few injuries this year have not helped him but he's been very dedicated at the training ground and I told some of the youngsters to look at the way he trained.

"It was a big three points, but our season was never going to be decided tday. The lads worked their socks off. It was efficient and professional, we played as a team and then got that bit of magic.

"Of course it is important (the five point gap) but my thinking is not like that. I want us to play efficiently, and at the top end my players will score goals - they have done their whole careers. The players are taking on board where we are trying to go, and we are on the right road."