Walsall 2 - 2 Palace

Sat Nov 3 2001 - League

A Crystal Palace side managed by Steve Kember and Terry Bullivant could not take all three points from the Bescot Stadium.

The match ended in a 2-2 draw with goals from David Hopkin and Dougie Freedman for Palace.

Walsall opened the scoring after 25 minutes when Tony Barras headed a Zigor Aranalde free kick past Palace keeper Matt Clarke.

Five minutes later Palace equalised through David Hopkin. A Simon Rodger corner was cleared, but only as far as Hopkin hit the net with a low drive through a crowd of players.

On the stroke of half-time it was The Saddlers who took the lead again. Another free kick and again Barras who scored with a header.

After the break The Eagles went searching for the equaliser with Clinton Morrison missing several chances to put the sides level.

With ten minutes to go it was Dougie Freedman who levelled the score latching onto a pass from Hopkin and firing past Wallsall keeper James Walker.

Morrison could have won it for the visitors, but his effort was too weak and it was easily saved by Walker. Crystal Palace remain on third place in Division One after this draw.

Chants of the Match: Stevie Bruce, is a w****r, is a w****r. Stand up if you hate Steve Bruce.

Post match comments:

Kember said: "Everything we have done over the last two days has been exactly the same we did when Steve was in charge.

"We said to the players they should just go out and carry on doing what they have been doing."

Walsall boss Ray Graydon said: "I feel a bit disappointed we did not win it.

"We worked very hard and played well throughout. Crystal Palace are a very good side - as good as anything we have played.

"They are a good passing team, they have good players and very clever players, but we matched them and that gives me more than a little encouragement."

From The Terrace Photos

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