Leicester City 0 - 3 Palace

Wednesday November 1 2000 - League Cup

Palace put on their best performance of the season to send holders Leicester crashing out of the Worthington Cup.

Goals from Clinton Morrison, Steve Thomson and Andrejs Rubins put the Eagles through to the fourth round to face Tranmere at home.

Palace shocked the home side when Morrison opened the scoring after 17 minutes. Craig Harrison headed a Wayne Carlisle corner across the face of the goal for Morrison to head home from close range.

Leicester had a couple of chances through Richard Cresswell and Frank Sinclair but Smith's tactics of five in midfield was working well.

In the 24th minute the lead was doubled as Thomson spun away from Callum Davidson and unleashed a 35-yard curling screamer into the back of the net.

Leicester had a penalty appeal turned down and could not break down the Palace guard despite constant pressure.

Leicester made three substitutions at half-time, Matt Elliott, Muzzy Izzet and Trevor Benjamin, but they could not score. Then on 52, a Rubins run and 30-yard shot sealed it for the Eagles for a place in the next round.

It was sweet revenge for last season as Leicester knocked Palace out in the same competition.

Post match comments

Alan Smith praised his players afterwards. He said: "For once we had 11 players out there doing their job."

"I am very pleased but not surprised considering the work we have put in. Our attitude was right from the moment we left yesterday right until the final whistle.

"We've come here with our backs to the wall. But I've forced some of them out of the comfort zone.

"I also felt that tactically we got it spot on by just playing the one man up front."

A disappointed Peter Taylor said: "This club's strength has been based on hard work but I felt Palace wanted it more than us tonight."

"I felt that some of the players believed they just needed to put on the shirt to get a victory but it doesn't work like that. I'm very disappointed but Palace deserved it and scored two wonder goals."

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