27/04/13 League Blackburn Rovers (a) 1-1 draw

The Rovers Return

A game against Blackburn has significant memories for me and a lot of Palace fans. But we are talking some time ago when the a certain penalty scored by Dave Madden sent Selhurst into absolute raptures.

Plenty has happened for both teams in that time, more so than most I would say. The game is even very different than it was, so much more high profile with so much more to lose it seems. A point in case, you ask either set of fans. Those that have been around for a while whill perhaps be a little gray or bald. Certainly so for Palace fans, it's been a rollercoaster since the late eighties.

This game had significance. Blackburn needed to confirm their place in the Championship for next season while Palace were looking to find some form and with that claim a play off spot. Two very different agenda's, both as important as each other.

The game started well for Palace who welcomed the return of Captain Jedi. But it was a team that had not been getting the results away from Selhurst. Regardless, it did not look that way when Dobbie who picked up a flick from Wilbraham to run through a static defence and fire home from the edge of the area. Maybe this was to be the game, but almost expectadly it was Jordan Rhodes who equalised just before the half after chipping the ball over an outcoming Julian Speroni.

After the break Palace pushed on in search of a winner with chances from both Murray and Jedinak. But there almost a late sting in the tail as former loanee at Palace, Goodwillie, thankfully put the ball over the bar after getting into a great position. However, arguably, we could have been given a couple of penalties in the game, one that looked clear cut. Perhaps it was the right result and another point chalked off for both teams. 

Boss Ian Holloway:
 
"We've hit the bar twice and do I need to mention the most blatant shove on anybody I've ever seen. The rest of the game was good and Blackburn played their part but I thought we were solid, looked in control of things. It is still in our hands but I thought it should have been over today. It was a very thorough away performance. Generally, I'm pretty bemused how we haven't got three points." 

View from The Eagles Beak:

"Small steps being taken to secure that play off spot. It's been a long time coming but a win from either of the last two games should do it. Back to the drawing board and needs must right now. It's not pretty but we just need to get over the line. From then on it's a lottery."

Teamsheet

01 Speroni 
02 Ward - booked 
21 Moxey 
27 Delaney 
33 Gabbidon 
08 Dikgacoi 
15 Jedinak 
11 Dobbie GOAL 28' (Garvan 65') 
16 Zaha 
17 Murray 
18 Wilbraham (Williams 55') 

Substitutes - 34 Price, 28 Ramage, 07 Bolasie, 30 Moritz, 09 K Phillips 

Referee -  Phil Gibbs

Attendence - 19,796