Sheffield United 1 - 0 Palace

Saturday February 24 2001 - League

Crystal Palace suffered their second consecutive defeat as Sheffield United won by one goal to nil.

A second half goal by Suffo proved to be enough for The Blades to keep all three points at Bramall Lane.

Both teams started well but failed to take their opportunities in the first half. Sheffield United's on loan forward Paul Peschisolido had two half chances in the opening 10 minutes but did not find the net.

At the other end, Simon Rodger crossed to the back post, but Blades defender Keith Curle did enough to prevent Hayden Mullins from scoring.

On 25 minutes, Clinton Morrison had a great chance but his shot was cleared off the line by Rob Kozluk.

Not long after the interval, United took the lead through Patrick Suffo, who replaced Peschisolido in the first half.

Paul Devlin nudged the ball to Suffo who beat Alex Kolinko at his near post, scoring his first ever goal for The Blades.

Shortly afterwards, United could have made it 2-0, but D'Jaffo did not find the net one on one with Kolinko.

Palace then were pushing for the equaliser. Late in the game Rodger found substitute Dougie Freedman, but his left-foot effort lacked enough power to trouble Simon Tracey.

Latvian Andrejs Rubins came very close in stoppage time but his shot clipped the top of United's bar.

The Eagles are now 15th in the Nationwide First Division.

Post-match comments

Palace boss Alan Smith was disappointed that his side did not score from any of their chances.

Smith said: "At the moment we have lost our cutting edge a little bit. We had gone 15 games scoring really well, but today we have not managed to get a goal.

"It's difficult when you've got a young side and you look at the Sheffield side and they have seasoned professionals. I think we need to be harder.

"We've got 13 games to go this season and we have got to make sure we do not get dragged into the relegation zone."

Blades manager Neil Warnock blasted his players during the interval to inspire his side to another league win.

He said: "That's the best result we've had all season. We haven't played well but the result was what mattered. In the first half we felt sorry for ourselves, so I had to let rip at half-time.

"They responded in the second half. We were a lot sharper and could have got more goals.

"At the death I felt we defended as if our lives depended on it, which is what you've got to do at this level.

"We should have finished it off. Laurent d'Jaffo had a couple of great chances, which would have made it easier."

From The Terrace Photos

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