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November 21 2024 12.15pm

Sheffield United 3 - 1 Palace

Tue Dec 17 2002 - League Cup

Crystal Palace crashed out of the Worthington Cup quarter-final with a 3-1 defeat against Sheffield United.

Carl Asaba gave the Blades the lead in the 35th minute until an own goal on 82 minutes from Robert Page brought Palace level and gave them some hope.

Match Stats

Ground: Bramall Lane (Attendance: 22211)

Sheffield United: Kenny, Jagielka, Harley, Murphy, Page, Brown, McCall (Montgomery, 84), Ndlovu, Tonge, Asaba (Peschisolido, 84), Allison

Subs not used: Kozluk, Ten Heuvel, Javary

Booking: Brown

Goals: Asaba 35, Peschisolido 86, Peschisolido 88

Palace: Kolinko, Powell, Symons, Antwi (Borrowdale, 66), Butterfield, Mullins, Gray, Riihilahti, Black, Johnson, Adebola (Williams, 79)

Subs not used: Michopoulos, Heeroo, Togwell

Bookings: Black, Mullins

Goal: Page 82 (og)

Referee: E K Wolstenholme (Blackburn)

It looked like it was enough to take the tie to extra-time, but two agonising late goals from Paul Peschisolido on 86 and 88 minutes sealed the win for United.

The first of which was at least five yards offside and is arguably the worst refereeing decision of the season so far.

In fact, the Palace players were still arguing with the referee about it as the third goal went in.

Post match comments:

Trevor Francis said: "I have not seen the replays but I have been told the goal was clearly offside. I look at the reaction of my keeper Alex Kolinko.

"I have been there for 12 months and he has spoken about two words in the time I have known him.

"He is a very placid guy who rarely gets flustered but seeing him come out of his goal to earn the booking tells me the story.

"We have got 10 senior players out and one suspended and when you get to the latter stages of a competition you want your best guys.

"But I am very proud of my guys tonight. They really went at Sheffield United. I think 3-1 was a bit harsh on us, 2-1 would have been a fairer reflection."

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