Palace 2 - 1 Sunderland

Tuesday December 19 2000 - League Cup

Crystal Palace are through to the semi-final of the Worthington Cup after beating Sunderland 2-1 at Selhurst Park tonight.

Mikael Forssell put the Eagles 1-0 up just after the break, but Alex Rae levelled the score for Sunderland.

An 82nd minute goal by Clinton Morrison sealed the game for Palace.

Palace showed desire to win against Sunderland yesterday and booked themselves a place in the Worthinton Cup semi-final, where they will face Liverpool.

The first big chance of the game was for Palace when Morrison went one-on-one with Sunderland keeper Sorensen. But the keeper got a hand to the shot and Darren Williams then cleared it off the line.

Two minutes later, Sunderland had the chance to open the score from a free kick but Dichio's flick on went wide.

After 30 minutes, Sunderland had their biggest chance of the first half. Julio Arca's half volley from ten yards was tipped over by Kolinko.

Just before the break, Tommy Black had a chance for Palace but Sorensen saved at the near post and Sunderland saw a goal disallowed for offside.

Three minutes after the interval Palace opened the score. A bad clearence from Thomas Sorensen was intercepted by Morrison and his cross was easy to tap home for Forssell.

A minute later, the score was level again when Rae netted from close range. Dichio then squandered a good chance and Palace hit the woodwork twice through Forssell and Morrison.

Kolinko saved a shot from Kevin Phillips just before Morrison won the game for the Eagles.

It was ten minutes before the final whistle when Morrison received the ball on the edge of the box. He kept the ball, turned and then fired right footed into the left corner of the net.

Post match comments

A delighted Alan Smith said: "They were absolutely brilliant. They are very young, but they are good players when they work hard.

"They have just got a tendency sometimes to think the ball will fall at their feet, but they have done well tonight because they have worked hard.

He added: "What they are good at now is working hard for the team, not for Clinton or Mikael."

Match winner Morrison, who was transfer listed after a string of bad performances earlier this season, commented: "I needed a kick up the backside. I was getting too big for my boots, but now I am starting to score goals.

"I can't wait. I just want to play at Anfield - it is my dream come true.

"If we take the form into the league, we can be in the top six at the end of the season."

A disappointed Sunderland boss said: "The best team on the night won it. The thing that concerned me was that all over the pitch we were second best.

"I can accept defeat, but if you come into a quarter-final of a major cup like we did you are going to get beat.

Reid went on: "We didn't work hard enough to get into the game and that performance was unacceptable."

From The Terrace Photos

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