05/03/13 League Hull City (h) 4-2 win



Picture courtesy of @CPFC_Alex

The second of three big games that we previous pinpointed as being pivotal to our chances of automatic promotion was eagerly anticipated. The team news was in and it was a first start for Kevin Phillips and KG at right back, both of which had fans questioning the tactics before kick off.

It was certainly a bold move but the bench was full of flair with the likes of Bolasie, Dobbie and the returning Moritz. The early stages of the game saw both teams trading attacks with the visitors winning the corner count. Hull had clearly set out their stall and were intent on stopping Palace by whatever means necessary. But it was Palace that started to pile on the pressure as the half got older. The Hull keeper Stockdale looked far from accomplished and dropped Butterfield's cross but Ramage could not quite convert. On the half hour the pressure paid dividends when Williams was bundled over in the area and Murray stepped up to take the spot kick. But Stockdale saved well to keep the game goalless. The miss did not deter Palace who continued in similar vein until they were awarded another penalty right on half time. This time is was journey man Kevin Phillips that stepped up to take it and inevitably put Palace in front at the half.

The second half began as the first the first ended with Palace looking for goals and it was not long before Phillips had his second. He picked up the ball from the impressive Zaha and beat the keeper by hitting his shot into the ground. And he made it three a minute later with a deflected effort with Zaha the provider again. This was the killer blow for Hull who did pull one back before Zaha got his deserved goal with a fine chip over the keeper. Hull scored another consolation late on and could have made it three soon after but it was Palace's night, courtesy of a striker that is proving that age is but a number.

Could the loan signing of Super Kevin Phillips be the final piece of the jigsaw? A masterstroke even? We will have to wait and see but he is certainly proving his worth right now. Gamble? What gamble?

Boss Ian Holloway said: "Kev is so professional and is still as fit as a flea. He's got the lungs of a 26-year-old. I'm just delighted he understands how I want to use him here. I knew that with the wide players we have here he would be the ideal man to get on the end of things."

View from The Eagles Beak: "A tremendous night at Selhurst with plenty more to come. The play offs are within touching distance but we don't want that now do we? Automatic promotion is definitely achievable on this performance.
01 Speroni
21 Moxey
27 Delaney - booked
28 Ramage
06 Butterfield (Dobbie 78')
08 Dikgacoi
15 Jedinak
20 Williams (Parr 65')
09 Phillips GOALS 45' pen, 52', 53' (Bolasie 74')
16 Zaha GOAL 77'
17 Murray
Unused substitutes: 34 Price, 12 Marrow, 30 Moritz, 18 Wilbraham

Referee: Haywood
Attendence: 16,230