Palace 4 - 1 Crewe Alexandra

Sat Nov 17 2001 - League

Crystal Palace got back to winning ways since the departure of Steve Bruce and moved up to third place after thrashing Crewe 4-1 at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace took the lead after 25 minutes when defender Walton headed a Freedman cross past his own keeper at the near post.

Only five minutes later, Clinton Morrison doubled the lead for The Eagles. The Republic of Ireland international scored his 14th of the season with a swerving right-foot shot that went around Ademole Bankole.

Morrison was also involved in Palace's third goal. He found found American international Kirovski who drilled in a low shot from inside the penalty area.

On 41 minutes, Crewe managed to pull one back. Dean Ashton volleyed home a Kenny Lunt free-kick at the near post.

Minutes later it was Dougie Freedman who restored Palace's three-goal cushion. The Scottish international headed home a Hayden Mullins cross for his 13th league goal of the season.

After the interval Palace could have gone on to win by more, but Morrison and Freedman both missed with only the keeper left to beat.

The Eagles climbed to second spot after this fine win, with 34 points from 17 games. Burnley are top with 37 points from 20 games.

Man of the Match: Julian Gray

Post match comments:

Caretaker boss Steve Kember said morale among the players was unaffected by the Bruce affair.

He said: "I thought the lads were excellent and I said to them before the game they needed to go out and prove that morale is still high at the club.

"Steve (Bruce) going was not something the chairman or I wanted, but there is still two out of the three management team here and we have always known how we wanted to play."

Kember believes Palace are still capable of promotion, even after the departure of the manager.

"Steve's beliefs, my beliefs and Terry's beliefs are all the same," he said. “The type of football that we've been playing reflects this.

"We all think the players should work hard and give 100 per cent on the pitch. There is no reason for that to change because one out of the three cogs is no longer at the club."

Palace had to replace goalkeer Matt Clarke during half- time. Kember added: "He had a twinge in his back which was sore and it got worse in the warm up. We played him in the first half to see if he could get through it but he was clearly in pain at the interval.

"I think he picked it up in training but, hopefully, it's not too serious.

"As far as our other injuries are concerned, Riihilahti picked up a thigh strain and that is why we replaced him with Thomson after an hour.

"Jamie Smith missed the game after his recent keyhole surgery. He has started jogging and is only a week or so away from full fitness."

Crewe boss Dario Gradi said: "We didn't play well and we got punished. All credit to Palace - they were the better side.

"But we had some poor performers. I thought Rodney Jack should have spent more time on the beach because he was no use to us here."

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