March 4 2013

Julian Speroni

Away victories have been thin on the ground of late. Jamesey switched on Palace Player for our Derby County fixture in hope rather than any real confidence.

An early goal from Yannick Bolasie raised our hopes on a Friday evening kick-off at Pride Park but, naturally, in the second half the Rams came at us with a vengeance.

I squirmed in my seat and thought the game was up when Derby were awarded a very late penalty.

But no, it wasn't the same old story. Heroic Palace keeper Julian Speroni saved the spot-kick and we travelled back south with three precious points, leaving us fourth in the league table and still within reach of an automatic promotion position.

At this point I hand over the reins to my away specialist friend Peter who was there to enjoy the victory.

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"It was us against your goalie" - this was the comment made to me by a Derby security steward as I left Pride Park with four friends, writes Peter. One, a mate's wife, had never attended a Palace away match so thanks Judy.

Julian Speroni was awesome throughout the match - a brilliant tip round his right-hand post in the first half but that penalty save from Sammon!

I said to one of my friends (who mostly watches Palace away): "Oh well that's 1-1". Sorry, Julian, I should not have doubted you and will never again. He pushed the ball onto the bar and away. Ecstasy.

It has to be said that Palace were not playing their free-flowing game but Derby have a good defence and pumping the ball up to Kevin Phillips (when he came on in the second half) was never going to work.

Yannick Bolasie took his goal well - a block tackle by Mile Jedinak lifted the ball to Yannick who made a great run, rounded the keeper and finished with aplomb.

Wilfried Zaha tried his best but, sadly, Stephen Dobbie didn't read his runs and I believe that is why he was substituted. Jon Williams made a difference and had a terrific shot in the second half which the Derby keeper tipped over.

Both teams had shots that hit the bar and Jedinak's in the first half would have broken the net if it had gone in.

I was in good company. Ian King, the Palace historian ("Crystal Palace: The Complete Record") was sitting three seats away and you can listen to his match report on Palace Radio before Tuesday's game with Hull (March 5).

This was a match where Palace needed to defend stoutly and that they did; KG did brilliantly at right back in the second half and Jedinak and Damien Delaney headed everyhing away. As soon as Julian saved Derby's penalty I knew Palace would win. I do not mind our winning "ugly" and victories like this at home to Hull and Leeds (March 9) will do nicely.

My next away match is at the Amex stadium (March 17). Do I need to mention our opponents?

Email Jamesey with your comments to jevans3704@aol.com

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