August 13 2006

Dougie Freedman

Revenge is sweet. Leeds have been the cause of some injustices over the years, writes Simon Pophale.

They beat us here last season fair and square, but I refer to the FA Cup match in 2002 where they cheated their way into round 6 as a blatant "goal" was not given, no handball either and no sending off as we crashed that day 2-1.

So when Clinton Morrison, in the 92nd minute made an inch of space in the area and cracked home a shot from 10 yards past Tony Warner in goal, it was like that wrong had been righted and more importantly, sent us back to the top of the fledgling Championship table.

It could have all been so different though, as despite a lot of action in the first half, the most decisive of all was a tangle between Mark Hudson and Geoff Horsfield which saw the on loan Sheffield United man sent off after 15 minutes.

Despite having a 1 man advantage, it was Leeds who were to have the first real chance on goal when Eddie Lewis volleyed against the post from 20 yards after a neat David Healy chip. All we could offer in the way of goal threats were a few wayward Jamie Scowcroft headers.

At half time, despite Palace playing better than at any time last season, the score was still 0-0.

Peter Taylor then did his usual trick of bringing on Dougie Freedman at half time, this time for Ben Watson and the mercurial Scot did not waste any time in getting into the action.

His lively runs and turns had Matt Kigallon looking distinctly average and a number of attacks involving Dougie ended up with us winning a corner or free-kick. Mark Kennedy sent over his trademark set pieces with aplomb and despite Leon Cort, Mark Hudson and Danny Granville all going close to connecting with one of them, the Leeds defence managed to cope.

Yet as the match went on, we were having more and more chances. Freedman brought saves from Warner and McAnuff was doing his usual amount of damage on the left, on such run saw him being upended in the box by Paul Butler but Rob Styles awarded nothing.

Mark Kennedy hit a 20 yard drive which Warner tipped around the post and it slowly looked like Leeds might just get something out of the game.

We were reminded that despite 10 men, Kevin Blackwell had them well organised and from a corner by Steve Stone, ex-Eagle Shaun Derry headed wide from around the penalty spot. It was to be their last chance.

Taylor brought on Morrison in seeking to win the game and with around 10 minutes to go, his attack minded policy looked to have worked as Freedman beat Leeds to a long ball over the top and his chipped volley brought a wonderful save from Warner, who looked like earning Leeds a point all on his own.

With injury time looming, the ball was pumped into the box one last time and Clinton Morrison found the space and keeping Kilgallon at bay, found the back of the net with a rasping drive.

Poor old Clint, unable to buy a goal for months and suddenly finds himself being the hero once again as he celebrated as if we had won the Championship. Taylor jumped from the bench and in that moment, 2 of Palaces' favourite sons had forged another 3 points.