Just one month before Christmas and, for some, it had come early as Crystal Palace faced off against Millwall at Selhurst Park in one of the most highly anticipated fixtures for fans of the respective clubs. The visitors "did the double" over The Eagles last season so revenge was in the minds of the Palace fans surrounding me as I traveled to the ground for my first match in ages. As I work for the club I am almost always working when we have home games so it was a nice change to be in the stands instead of serving behind the bar!
I'm no stranger when it comes to shouting at a match and it only took about thirty seconds for me to scream at Scannell to "break his f*cking legs!" when he went in for a challenge on a Millwall defender, earning me a chuckle from the fat bald bloke in front of me (no offence mate).
Glenn Murray's early chance had us (the fans in block D) out of our seats as the ball came across from Dean Moxey on the left, replays showing the tiniest of deflections to take it out of Murray's path.
Millwall gave Speroni a touch of the ball soon after as Jay Simpson's header was easily gathered by the Palace 'keeper. Liam Feeney on the right hand side of Millwall's attacking play, was causing trouble for Moxey all afternoon and his cross almost found 19-year-old Marquis at the back post but was just over the number 9's head.
Palace's own wing wizard, Wilfried Zaha, made a chance for himself with a little help from Chris Martin (who made is home debut in this match) who provided a back heel pass, Zaha taking on a few defenders before letting off a right footed strike that was comfortable for Millwall No.1 Steve Mildenhall.
Glenn Murray got another chance for The Eagles, a good team move and a perfectly weighted cross from Jedinak, gave Murray the ball in the box, controlling with the chest before turning to volley it, his shot was closed down by two defenders and gathered by Mildenhall. Murray showed some more acrobatics as another cross from Jedinak was headed back across goal by Chris Martin, Murray's bicycle kick kept out by the hand of Mildenhall who refused to give Murray the goal he was hunting for.
Marquis sprung onto a slip-up by Paddy McCarthy to create a chance for himself but McCarthy recovered well and with the help of Anthony Gardner was able to force the ball to Speroni for collection.
Sean Scannell with the next chance, after slipping on the edge of the box he stood back up and let off a powerful right footed strike, glancing across the face of goal, no threat to the net.
Marquis' cross to Barron gave Millwall a chance before the break but the headed effort was well gathered up by Speroni, the sides entering the interval as equals.
The second half saw The Eagles come out strongly, Moxey's cross to Murray cleared for a corner at the last second by Aston Villa loanee Shane Lowry before Wilfried Zaha's left footed strike inside the box was beaten away by Mildenhall. Zaha then set-up Scannell on the edge of the box who's scuffed shot just fizzed past the upright nearest Holmesdale's infamous Block B.
Owen Garvan's corner was almost converted by Paddy McCarthy, and probably would've been, had Paul Robinson not pulled the skipper's shirt and given away a penalty for Crystal Palace. Glenn Murray stepped up to the spot just as penalty specialist Darren Ambrose was subbed on. Murray's run up was stuttered and despite the 'keeper showing signs of going to his left, Murray went the same way as the Millwall goalie. That didn't matter though as Murray's shot was the wrong side of the post; a golden opportunity, wasted. Palace fans around me in disbelief.
Millwall's final chance came from Liam Feeney, the number 15 made his way into the right hand side of the box, only to fire his shot well over Speroni's goal, his claims for a corner denied.
The match ended 0-0, this is Palace's third consecutive scoreless home draw and they haven't scored in five games and with a cup tie against Man Utd looming, it may be time to get a goal.
Team News
Crystal Palace will be without long term absentees Jonathan Williams (broken leg), Lee Hills (knee) and Alex Marrow (ankle). Owen Garvan made a return from his injury on Saturday and put in a good shift. Loanee Chris Martin is likely to start after two impressive performances against Leicester & Millwall, despite having not scored yet. Loanee Dekel Keinan is unavailable as he is cup-tied by his appearance for Cardiff earlier this season.
Man United will be without Michael Owen (hamstring), whilst Chris Smalling is expected to be fully fit following an injury. Sir Alex Ferguson has said there will be a complete change from the side that drew with Newcastle at the weekend. Federico Macheda may feature as well as Darren Gibson & the Da Silva twins in contention.
Preview
After their most successful cup run in nine seasons, starting out against League Two Crawley Town and going on to defeat Middlesbrough, Wigan & Southampton, Crystal Palace face Premier League title holders Manchester United in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night. The Eagles will make the 215 mile journey north to Old Trafford to face-off against a United side that has lacked their flare as of late. With two draws in a row, one against Benfica in the Champions League last week and the other against Newcastle on Saturday the Red Devils haven't seen a win since their 1-0 win over Premier League new boys Swansea. The Swans gave them a run for their money and could've taken something from the game had their luck been in. David De Gea providing an excellent performance to keep them out. However, the doughnut-nicking Spaniard is unlikely to get a call-up in Wednesday's game as third-choice goalkeeper Ben Amos has stood between the sticks for their previous two League Cup ties, keeping a clean sheet against Leeds United & Aldershot.
This will be The Eagles' first away fixture in the competition this season having drawn Crawley, 'Boro, Wigan & So'ton all at Selhurst Park. Dougie Freedman has said:
"It is about the players enjoying themselves and providing the fans with a great night. It is amazing to think we're playing Man United in the last eight of the League Cup this season. Who would have thought that?"
Despite his apparent shock at the distance Palace have traveled in the last few months under Freedman, the Palace boss has shown he has the stones to be a manager, giving young players like Williams and Zaha a chance to shine in big rivalry games like Brighton.
The two sides meet for the first time since March 2005 where it was goalless. Scholes, Rooney & Cristiano Ronaldo all coming off the bench to try and change things but Gabor Kiraly stood solid to claim a clean sheet.
My CPFC line-up
Price
Clyne McCarthy (c) Gardner Parr
Wright Garvan
Zaha Scannell Ambrose
Martin
Subs: Speroni, Moxey, Ramage, Jedinak, Dikgacoi, Murray, Pedroza
Manchester United's last six:
D-D-W-W-W-W
Last time out:
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United
Match Facts:
- Crystal Palace haven't scored in five consecutive games. Three of these have been 0-0.
- Manchester United are on the back of two consecutive draws 1-1 (Newcastle) and 2-2 (Benfica).
- Palace have scored an average of 1.11 goals away from home this season; conceding 1.33.
- United have scored an average of 2.71 goals at Old Trafford this season; conceding 1.42.
- Ten of The Eagles' 18 goals have come on their travels this season.
- Nineteen of The Reds' 30 goals have come at Old Trafford this season.
- The two sides have met a total of 41 times, Palace winning just six of these, United winning 26.
- Crystal Palace were the opponents back in 1990 when Sir Alex Ferguson lifted his first trophy (FA Cup) as manager of Man Utd. The sides met five years later in the 1995 FA Cup semi-finals, United also the victors then.
My Predictions:
As a Palace fan I don't like to say it, but there's no denying we're the underdogs in this one. However, we have passion and the ability to fight back and I expect us to get on the score sheet, so:
Man United 2-1 Crystal Palace
Gibson Martin
Macheda
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