Dougie Freedman scored twice to lift Crystal Palace out of the First Division
drop zone and send opponents Portsmouth crashing into it for the first time this
season.
On an emotion-charge night at Fratton Park in front of a capacity of 19,013
crowd, Palace gave the perfect welcome present to new manager Steve Kember with
a display of ruthless finishing.
Shattered Portsmouth had no answer to Palace's power and purpose and were
booed by their fans from half-time onwards.
Portsmouth began the evening three points above Palace who were third from
bottom but the arrival of Kember as manager rejuvenated the visitors who looked
more like promotion contenders than relegation candidates.
After two near-misses, Palace took the lead in the 17th minute when Mikael
Forssell was unmarked when he converted a centre from the right by Freedman.
Palace went further in front in the 25th minute when outstanding midfield
player Aki Riihilahti stooped to head in a centre from Clinton Morrison and
again he was unmarked.
Portsmouth were thrown an unexpected lifeline in the 44th minute thanks to a
dreadful error by Palace goalkeeper Alex Kolinko who dropped a centre from Kevin
Harper to allow Lee Mills to bundle in from close range.
But as Portsmouth celebrated their goal, Freedman raced clear down the left to
get in a low cross-shot which deceived goalkeeper Aaron Flahavan.
Palace were further in front in the 51st minute as Portsmouth showed no signs
of improving after the break.
Morrison got down the left and Freedman timed his run perfectly to head in
from six yards.
With the match won, Palace relaxed and Kolinko made up for his error with
outstanding saves from substitute Michael Panopoulos and Carl Tiler.
With two minutes remaining Tiler came forward again to head in a corner from
the left by Harper but it was too little and too late.
With one match remaining Palace are now equal on point with Portsmouth but
with a better goal difference.
Portsmouth must now entertain Barnsley on Sunday knowing they must better
Palace's result at Stockport to survive.
Teams:
Portsmouth (1) 2 Crystal Palace (3) 4
Portsmouth: Flahavan, Primus, Hiley, Tiler, Waterman (Panopoulos 54), Harper, O'Neil, Sharpe, Vincent, Mills (Nightingale 54), Bradbury.
Subs Not Used: Tardif, Crowe, Lovell.
Goals: Mills 45, Tiler 87.
Crystal Palace: Kolinko, Mullins, Berhalter, Austin, Smith, Thomson, Carlisle (Evans 88), Riihilahti, Morrison, Freedman, Forssell.
Subs Not Used: Gregg, Black, Hankin, Harrison.
Goals: Forssell 18, Riihilahti 25, Freedman 45, 51.
Att: 19,013
Ref: P Richards (Preston).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook