Crystal Palace - 0
West Bromwich Albion - 1 (Taylor 63.)

This match represented the end of our difficult period of teams to play, but now we have to face teams at the other end of the table, and this can prove just as difficult, if not more so, for any team to have success at. That we have finished up third in the League is not too bad a situation, and though it would have been nice to have won this match (when is it not nice to win a match?) we can all take solace in the fact that once Saturday's match is behind us the team will have a 2-week break due to the International commitments.

The match got underway in very cool conditions, and the first shot fired in anger came from Bob Taylor, but Matt Clarke was more than equal to the task, and he held on well to the ball. Simon Rodger then attempted a shot at goal, but much like the attempt at the other end Russell Hoult was able to deal with the attempt quite comfortably. Good play between Jovan Kirovski and Dougie Freedman saw Clinton Morrison receiving the ball in acres of space. He sent in a cross, but inexplicably there was a dearth of Palace players in an attacking position, and the chance went begging.

Dougie then played the ball intelligently to Aki Riihilahti, but his long-range shot was once again well held by the keeper. A corner to Palace was taken, as usual, by Simon Rodger, and Tony Popovic just missed the header. The ball fell for Jovan, but his long-range shot went wide of the post, then Clinton was narrowly adjudged offside. The flow of play now turned though.

Des Lyttle put the ball across for Uwe Rosler to head a shot at goal, but his attempt hit the bar. The ball fell very kindly to him once more, and this time he blasted his shot over the top when it would have been far easier to simply poke the ball into the back of the unprotected goal. Dougie linked with Julian Gray but the chance was cut out, then Dean Austin put a shot forward for Jamie Smith to chase, but the ball beat him to the line.

A free kick to Palace saw Jovan blast the ball just over the top, but the counterattacks from West Brom were starting to tell, and it was becoming more obvious that Palace were missing the likes of Steve Vickers, and his natural control at the back. Dougie then made a great solo run, and having got round the defence he sent his shot wide of the post when he had merely to beat the keeper to open the scoring. That would make one sitter each missed in my book.

Taylor then got past the defence once more, and it was again up to Matt to save the day - fortunately he was equal to the task. Simon then crossed, and had Clinton been a little sharper we would surely have finally opened the scoring. Dean then headed yet another chance over the top before finally Andy Johnson had the last say, his shot going well over with Matt obviously trying frantically to get back in time.

The whistle sounded to signify the end of the first period of play, and the sides were left with everything to play for following a disappointingly scoreless first 45 minutes.

The first chance in the second half fell to Julian, his shot going wide of the upright. Clinton then got a good shot on goal, but the keeper was alert enough to rescue the day for the visitors. Still the chances seemed to be falling to Palace, but just as obviously the visitors were looking very dangerous on the counter-attack, and Palace would do well to watch their flanks.

Gregg Berhalter was brought on to replace Tony, who appeared to have picked up a knock, but suddenly that man Taylor once more slipped in behind the defence, and this time he made it pay by scoring a good goal that left Matt with little chance of doing anything other than pick the ball up from the back of the net. Tommy Black came on for Jamie, but Matt was still being tested in the Palace goal, this time by Lyttle putting in a good deep cross that our keeper did well to hang on to.

Derek McInnes then powered the ball well over the top from a long way out, but time was starting to run out for Palace to get a grip on this match. Despite some end to end play neither side really looked like adding to the score, and our final toss of the dice was to bring on Wayne Routledge for Jovan, but with only a couple of minutes left there was, realistically, little chance of him achieving anything of significance. Dougie hit one over the top, and that finished the action for the night.

Palace had been beaten at home, and now we will have to pick ourselves up for the match against Walsall on Saturday. Once that is over we will be given the luxury of a two-week break, and a chance for Steve Bruce to recharge the batteries of the players that are appearing to get a little tired of late.

Colin Pryce

Crystal Palace: Matt Clarke, Dean Austin, Tony Popovic (Gregg Berhalter 57), Jamie Smith (Tommy Black 69), Hayden Mullins, Julian Gray, Simon Rodger, Aki Riihilahti, Dougie Freedman, Jovan Kirovski (Wayne Routledge 88), Clinton Morrison.

Substitutes not used: Alex Kolinko, David Hopkin.

West Bromwich Albion: Russell Hoult, Neil Clement, Phil Gilchrist, Des Lyttle, Darren Moore, Larus Sigurdsson, Michael Appleton, Derek McInnes, Andy Johnson, Uwe Rosler (Warren Cummings 79), Bob Taylor.

Substitutes not used: Brian Jensen, James Chambers, Igor Balis, Jordao.

Attendance: 17,273

Referee: Mr S G Tomlin (E Sussex)