Palace 5 - 0 Grimsby Town

Tue Sep 18 2001 - League

The Eagles bounced back from three consecutive defeats tonight as they beat Grimsby by five goals to nil.

Palace dominated from start to finish, but in truth, Grimsby were terrible.

Clinton Morrison was unlucky to have an effort saved by Grimsby keeper Danny Coyne and saw his shot hit the post early on.

But the rout was started by US international striker Jovan Kirovski, who netted his first goal for the club from six yards in the 32nd minute, from a Jamie Smith cross.

Tony Popovic doubled the lead on 39, when he headed home Dean Austin's shot which rebounded off the post.

Dougie Freedman got the third when his unmarked header from a Simon Rodger corner flew past Coyne, six minutes after half-time.

In the 65th minute, Freedman added to his tally when he half-volleyed an inch-perfect Morrison cross from the left after a great run. Rodger, Julian Gray and Kirovski had chances to extend the lead but Morrison finally got a goal for himself in the last minute with a left foot shot inside the box.

Man of the match: Kirovski (Intelligent interplay with the strikers).

Chant of the match: Aimed at the police and stewards, "Where were you at Millwall?!"

Post match comments:

Steve Bruce was delighted with the emphatic victory over Grimsby and said the Palace faithful deserved to be treated to a goal-fest.

He said: "Good result. I'm really pleased for our die-hard supporters who came out on a night like this and to get a 5-0 result, especially following the Millwall game, is great.

"When I came to this club I decided to give everybody a chance and you can't expect the same players to play 60 games and not pick up an injury or suspension.

"The average age of this squad is 22 and a half. And there's work to be done as a First Division team doesn't just need a couple of players with flair to take them to the Premiership but a team who is consistent.

"It's not going to happen over-night, it's going to take weeks of hard work."

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