Another 1-1 draw at Burnley. Two early goals and then two teams cancelling each other out for the remainder of the game. Didn’t we just do this six months ago? This time it was Mark Hudson who gave us an early lead, with Michael Duff equalising for Burnley.
Burnley 1-1 Crystal Palace [BBC Sport]
Yikes, I wouldn’t say that this win was a long time in coming, but I was beginning to think we were still in the Premiership. Speaking of being in the Premiership, at least this time we could rely on a Bryan Robson-managed team to do what they ought to, as his Sheffield United side were on the wrong end of our 3-2 win.
Our win was sealed in the closing minutes with a Ben Watson penalty, with our earlier goals coming from Tom Soares and Carl Fletcher. All the goals came after half-time. A welcome win, and a welcome jump up the table as well (we’re now 15th).
Crystal Palace 3-2 Sheffield United [BBC Sport]
Just when it looked as if we might claim a second win of the season, up popped Leon Best three minutes from time to grab a draw for Coventry. We had earlier taken the lead through Stuart Green.
You just know how much Simon Jordan would have wanted to win this game, and to come so close to winning it but only ending up with a draw won’t have helped his mood. Personally I wouldn’t like to be Peter Taylor right now, because while a win would have eased the pressure on him this will have only turned up the heat on the Selhurst hotseat.
As for Dowie, well, lest said the better. On this occasion a battle between Dowie and Palace ended in stalemate.
Crystal Palace 1-1 Coventry City [BBC Sport]
A third straight 1-0 defeat in the league has left us fourth from bottom of the Championship. What’s even more worrying is that the teams around us aren’t the minnows of this division, we’re mixed up with the likes of Preston, Southampton and Hull. If we get into a rut there’s every chance of us staying at this end of the division.
David Strihavka got the Norwich winner after 75 minutes, leaving us without a clean sheet to date this season. Also after our four-goal start at Southampton we’ve since managed a paltry two goals in four games. When you can’t keep a clean sheet averaging half-a-goal a game doesn’t get you very far. Peter Taylor needs to find some answers, quickly.
The transfer window closed on Friday night, and here is a summary of all the ins and outs at Selhurst Park:
In:
Out:
I make that our third 1-0 defeat to Charlton in our last three home matches with them. It’s all a bit familiar and depressing. Svetoslav Todorov’s goal fifteen minutes from time decided the game at Selhurst Park yesterday.
Peter Taylor said, “I don’t think we deserved to lose” (pity that we did, eh Peter?). Meanwhile Charlton counterpart Alan Pardew said, “I enjoy coming back here, I always get a nice reception and the fans are brilliant to me. It’s been a great day.” I don’t remember him saying anything like that when he lost at Selhurt Park with West Ham three years ago. I suppose it’s easier to say things like that when you’re going home with three points.