July 18 2008

Dougie Freedman

Dougie Freedman has scored some cracking goals for Crystal Palace over the years and we pick out his best 10.

10. Bristol Rovers 1-1 Palace 14/8/2007

In this Carling Cup tie, Freedman scored a rare free-kick when the Scot thumped a 25-yard effort over the Bristol wall and into the top left corner.

9. Portsmouth 2-3 Palace 1/01/1996

On a swift counter attack from the centre-circle, Freedman charged goalwards with yards of space in front of him. As the Pompey defenders backed off, Freedman punished them dearly by rifling low into the net from inside the area with the keeper unable to hold onto it.

8. Palace 3-1 Gillingham 16/11/2002

Right-back Curtis Fleming scampered towards goal, slipped in Freedman on the right side of the penalty box and the striker hit a sublime chip from an acute angle into the far corner of the net.

7. Port Vale 1-2 Palace 15/10/1995

Just weeks into his Eagles career, Freedman gave Palace fans a glimpse of the sensational strikes that were to come with his second goal for the club. A trademark long David Hopkin throw on right halfway point of the pitch was nodded on by Gareth Taylor and Freedman, on the edge of the box, let the ball bounce then smashed a half volley that looped into the roof of net giving the keeper no chance.

6. Wolves 1-1 Palace 28/11/2006

Iain Turner launched a huge punt forward, Shefki Kuqi leapt above his marker to flick on and Freedman, lurking just inside the area, volleyed first time with his left foot into the back of the net past the bewildered Matt Murray.

5. Palace 3-0 Sunderland 21/4/2004

Mikele Leigertwood hit a long ball that was headed back by Andy Johnson and as the ball looped up in the air on the far right corner of the box, Freedman volleyed spectacularly home. Palace, who finished the campaign in sixth, would later beat the Black Cats in the play-off semi-final on their way to reaching the Premier League.

4. Palace 3-1 Wolves 10/5/1997

Wolves pulled the score back to 2-1 seconds after super-sub Freedman's goal in the last minute. However, there was still time for Freedman to extend the slender advantage. Defender Andy Linighan nodded a cross into the path of the striker who stayed onside to hold his nerve and cooly lob keeper Michael Stowell from eight yards. The goal was vital as Palace made it to the play-off final despite losing the second leg at Molineux.

3. Palace 2-3 Portsmouth 17/9/2002

Freedman received a misplaced pass on the halfway line and stormed goalwards. He ghosted past two defenders, then turned Hayden Foxe on the edge of the area and fired a powerful shot into the top left corner with the outside of his right foot.

2. Palace 3-1 Wolves 10/5/1997

A long pass high down the right touchline was flicked on and the loose ball fell to substitute Freedman who caught it on the half volley to fire left footed into the roof of the net from 25 yards. It put Palace 2-0 up in the last minute in this crucial play-off semi-final first leg.

1. Stockport 0-1 Palace 6/05/2001

Freedman collected David Hopkin's huge clearance from his own penalty area on the left wing and dribbled past two defenders and into the box before powerfully curling into the ball into roof of the net. It was the 87th minute goal that ensured victory over Stockport and saved Palace from Division One relegation on the final day of the season.

Do you agree with our choice? Email editor@holmesdale.net

* Dougie Freedman's testimonial match is against Fulham on Tuesday, July 29 at Selhurst Park. Ticket prices are £10 adults, £5 concessions and are on sale at the box office. Call 08712 00 00 71 or book online at www.cpfc.co.uk