Sheffield United - 0
Crystal Palace - 3 (Johnson 42. Popovic 57. Shipperley 87.)

Crystal Palace went into this match having already equalled their record for consecutive away wins, as long as we only count for what most of us would be "in living memory". We had won 4 on the trot in the League, which we last achieved back in the 1960's, though it is actually true to say that we won 8 consecutive away League games, way back in 1907! Considering that we got our fifth win in this match, that means we only have to get the next four to break our all time record! Roll on Derby, Rotherham, Forest and West Brom. Anyone want to give us odds on that happening?

The match got underway with a fair sprinkling of Palace fans in the crowd, and the first action saw Julian Gray cross the ball, though Robert Kozluk sent the ball behind for our first corner. Michael Hughes fired the ball back in from the corner flag, but it simply went behind for a goal kick. Tony Popovic was presented with a free header on goal, but he placed it just wide of the mark, before Michael Tonge tried a shot that missed to the left of the post. Cedric Berthelin got the ball back in to play from the resulting goal kick, and then Michael was found guilty of a foul on Nick Montgomery, the resulting free kick gaining no advantage for the home side. Tonge then fouled Aki Riihilahti, but our free kick fared no better than theirs.

Paul Peschisolido tried a shot that also went wide of the mark, and shortly after Wayne Routledge was caught offside. Another foul, this time by Mark Hudson on Dean Sturridge saw the ball played in by Tonge, but Julian was on hand to avert any danger to the Palace goal. Tonge took a corner for our hosts, but it also resulted in a simple goal kick to Palace, and suddenly Danny Butterfield tried a long-range shot that, unfortunately, hit the woodwork and bounced away to safety. Phil Jagielka tried a cross that was well cleared by Tony. Another corner to Palace was swung in by Danny Granville, but this time the chance was cleared by Robert Page, and a few minutes later Danny G tried a cross that was blocked by Montgomery.

Although a series of niggling fouls made the match a fairly start/stop affair, the next action saw Julian take a corner that was cleared by Jagielka. Montgomery tried a cross towards the centre, but the ball went straight out of play for a goal kick, and then Neil Shipperley tried a shot that was blocked by the home defence. A corner to Sheffield was cleared by Andy Johnson, and then it was AJ who tried a shot that was just blocked by the keeper, Patrick Kenny. Aki was booked for the latest foul, this time on Tonge, but the free kick saw no real advantage to the home team.

Paul Shaw got in a cross that presented Sturridge with a good shot on goal, but Cedric was able to tip the ball over the top, and once again the corner was wasted by Sheffield. Peschisolido was caught offside before Aki tried a shot from a long way out that went wide of the post. Danny B tried his second shot on goal, and though it looked goalward bound Kenny got a touch to send the ball over the top of the bar, the resulting corner being cleared by Shaw.

Shortly after, with only a few minutes left on the clock, AJ did strike. As the ball came across from a corner it fell neatly to him a few yards out, and a striker in his rich vein of form is not going to miss those. 1-0 to Palace, and half time arrived with little further to excite the fans of either side.

Iain Dowie would have been pleased with the overall effort of the side, and would simply have asked for more of the same.

Within seconds of the restart Sturridge tried a shot that sailed over the top of the bar, and it was then some time before the next piece of action saw Montgomery try a cross that was cleared by Danny B. The resulting corner was again wasted, and Sheffield decided to make their first change to the line-up, with Sturridge being replaced by Wayne Allison. Julian became the next name in the book, for a foul on Tonge, and shortly after Alan Wright sent in a cross that was well cleared by Tony. Danny G fired in another corner to Palace, but Stuart McCall was on hand to clear the danger, but moments later Wayne sent in a cross that Tony managed to get on the end of, and with a strong shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net we were suddenly 2-0 up.

United made their second change, this time replacing Shaw with Peter Ndlovu, and he was next to try a shot, but it went over the top of the bar, causing Cedric little bother on its' way. Allison tried a shot that Cedric held on to quite easily, and a corner to Sheffield was blocked by Mark, who had performed well all afternoon. Montgomery tried a shot that went wide, and Palace then decided to make a change, with Michael giving way to Shaun Derry. Julian attempted a shot that went over the top, and then at the other end a double attempt was only cleared by a resolute Palace defence.

Our hosts made their final substitution of the afternoon, with Jack Lester replacing McCall, and this was followed by a good attempt by Ndlovu, which went over the top of the bar once more. Montgomery was then booked for a foul on Wayne, and then a corner to Sheffield was again wasted as Palace held firm. A corner to United was well cleared by Neil, back helping out in defence, and then Allison was caught offside to relieve the pressure on our defence.

Shaun then got the ball out on the wing, and he fired in an inch-perfect cross that was met by Neil, his left-footed shot flying into the back of the net before anyone could blink. Three minutes left on the clock, and we held an unassailable 3-0 lead. A lot of the home fans were not inclined to watch the last few minutes, nor the more than six minutes of time added on, but one can be assured that the Palace faithful stayed until the final whistle.

Julian tried a shot that really should have increased the score, but his attempt sailed once more over the top of the bar, and AJ saw his attempt well saved by Kenny. Everything was running Palace's way, and Julian had another chance to increase the scoreline, but once again Kenny snuffed out the chance, and the final whistle sounded, much to the joy of everyone associated with Crystal Palace Football Club.

Five away wins in a row; four more to go?

Colin Pryce

Sheffield United: Patrick Kenny, Robert Kozluk, Phil Jagielka, Robert Page, Alan Wright, Paul Shaw (Peter Ndlovu 58), Stuart McCall (Jack Lester 77), Nick Montgomery, Michael Tonge, Paul Peschisolido, Dean Sturridge (Wayne Allison 53).

Substitutes not used: Mike Whitlow, Carl Robinson.

Crystal Palace: Cedric Berthelin, Danny Granville, Danny Butterfield, Tony Popovic, Mark Hudson (Shaun Derry 67), Wayne Routledge, Aki Riihilahti, Michael Hughes, Julian Gray, Andrew Johnson, Neil Shipperley.

Substitutes not used: Mikele Leigertwood, Dougie Freedman, Tommy Black, Gary Borrowdale.

Attendance: 23,816

Referee: Mr N Miller