Palace 0 - 1 Sheffield United

Saturday September 23 2000 - League

Palace boss Alan Smith slammed his side after throwing away another game they dominated

Sheffield Utd took all three points in a smash and grab raid at Selhurst Park thanks to a bad back pass by Hayden Mullins.

David Kelly picked up Mullins' poor pass to keeper Stuart Taylor and squared it to former Eagle Marcus Bent, who had the easy task of slotting home.

It was the Blades only chance on goal and Palace were left to rue their missed opportunites.

Tommy Black, Neil Ruddock, Clinton Morrison and on-loan paul Kitson had chances to put the Eagles ahead but they missed the target or found Blades keeper Simon Tracey in fine form.

And to add insult to injury, captain Neil Ruddock was sent off for two bookable offences seven minutes from time.

Post match comments

Alan Smith slammed his side after the game. He said: "It upsets me when one player doesn't do exactly what he's told to do. This loss was irresponsible with all the chances we had.

"The goal came out of nothing. The defence did something which I tell them not to do seven days a week and until the players do what they're told to do then we've got major problems at this club.

"Sheffield United were no idiots and sat back on their lead. Their goal was against the run of play and Stuart Taylor had nothing to do in goal. In fact, my mum could have played there.

"There's always something happening at this club. Last Tuesday we gave away a two-goal lead and also missed a penalty.

"We seem to miss penalties for fun and if we can't score from 12 yards what chances have we got?

About Ruddocks' dismissal he said: "I could see the sending off coming, but I had already used my three substitutes so I couldn't take Neil off.

"He should have known better and it was no surprise when he got sent off. We have got to take responsibility and do the right things at the right time.

"I don't blame Graham Poll for any of the decisions. I would be cheating myself if I did that."

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock said: "I am delighted, we put in a lot of hard work. Palace had a lot of chances, but we defended well.

"David Kelly made an unbelievable clearance and Simon Tracey's first-half save was out of this world.

"It was nice to get the win out of the way. Perhaps the difference today was I sat in the stand and that got us the win."

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