Match Report

0.00 0-0

The whistle blows and Port Vale kick off!

4.10 0-1

Hassan Abdellaoui makes a beautiful solo run. Hassan Abdellaoui flicks a high pass forward. Tomas Postiga holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Tomas Postiga cuts inside the box! Some clumsy but lucky footwork from Tomas Postiga provides some space. He scuffs the ball at goal. The ball clips the underside of the bar and bounces just over the line. The fans cheer wildly!

10.37 0-1

Marcos Cano threads the ball through to Riccardo Albino. Riccardo Albino edges inside the box! Riccardo Albino shoots from just inside the box but Scott Kirkland reads it well. Excellent save!

15.21 0-1

Giorgio Vergassola sees Duncan Hopkin in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Duncan Hopkin shoots from distance. It curls slightly but Giampiero Di Natale manages to gather it.

22.29 0-1

Marcos Cano hits a low pass to Lucas Gabriel Adailton. Lucas Gabriel Adailton shoots from 20 yards. The keeper is more than a match for it. Good keeping!

26.30 0-1

Nwankwo Drake knocks the ball forward to Riccardo Albino. Riccardo Albino controls the ball perfectly and tries a long range shot on goal. It's miles wide!

28.02 0-1

Dayo Zanetti comes in with a late challenge on Graham Barmby. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Graham Barmby carries on, but is struggling a bit.

39.30 0-1

Hassan Abdellaoui makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Tomas Postiga. Tomas Postiga flicks a high pass forward. Duncan Hopkin collects the pass. Duncan Hopkin shoots from long range but it rises well off target!

40.51 0-1

Graham Barmby decides to run forward with the ball. Graham Barmby knocks the ball to his team mate, Riccardo Albino. Riccardo Albino knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.

44.18 0-1

Houssin Amzine threads a neat ball through to Marcos Cano. Marcos Cano flicks a high pass forward to Lucas Gabriel Adailton who brings the ball under control. Lucas Gabriel Adailton lofts in a cross ball towards Riccardo Albino. Riccardo Albino flicks the ball with his head. Fantastic reaction save from Scott Kirkland!

45.00 0-1

The whistle indicates the end of the first half!

45.00 0-1

Crystal Palace kick off!

48.24 0-1

Leonardo Marquez takes it forward alone. Leonardo Marquez makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Darren Myers. Darren Myers whips in a cross ball towards Adriano De Cesare. Gary Gallacher hacks Adriano De Cesare from behind! Penalty not given!!

49.34 0-1

Giorgio Vergassola makes a probing pass to Tomas Postiga. Tomas Postiga sees a break and surges forward. Tomas Postiga makes a probing pass to Nicholas Brooking but he's offside!

57.56 1-1

Lester Tierney kicks a strong pass forward to Lucas Gabriel Adailton. Lucas Gabriel Adailton lofts in a cross ball towards Riccardo Albino. Riccardo Albino powers a header at goal. Riccardo Albino scores for Crystal Palace!!

60.01 1-1

Crystal Palace have made 2 substitutions with Neil Ljungberg replacing Lucas Gabriel Adailton and Dries Roy replacing Graham Barmby .

61.08 1-1

Marcos Cano makes a simple pass to Lester Tierney. Lester Tierney flicks the ball to his team mate, Craig Rankin. Craig Rankin shoots from 25 yards but it goes wide for a goal kick.

63.06 1-1

Dayo Zanetti makes a simple pass to Darren Myers. Darren Myers knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Giampiero Di Natale who gathers it comfortably.

65.33 1-1

Dries Roy controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Craig Rankin. Craig Rankin lofts in a cross ball towards Lester Tierney. Lester Tierney makes a deft header but it's a woeful effort!

66.45 1-1

Greg Shearer plays the ball forward to Riccardo Albino. Riccardo Albino lofts in a cross ball towards Craig Rankin. Craig Rankin beats his man to it with a header but somehow Scott Kirkland manages to keep it out.

67.48 2-1

Marcos Cano hits a low pass to Neil Ljungberg. Neil Ljungberg knocks in a cross ball towards Riccardo Albino. Riccardo Albino finds space and glances the ball goalwards with his head. The ball skims just under the bar, beyond the keeper's outstretched hand. Goal!!

73.33 2-1

Greg Shearer comes in with a late challenge on Adriano De Cesare. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Adriano De Cesare runs off the knock.

75.04 2-1

Under pressure, Greg Shearer clears the ball far upfield. Craig Rankin shoots from outside the area. It smacks hard against the advertising boards behind the goal. Just wide!

77.14 3-1

Marcos Cano flicks a high pass forward to Riccardo Albino who brings the ball under control. Riccardo Albino shoots from outside the area. The ball clips the underside of the bar and bounces just over the line. The fans cheer wildly!

83.53 3-1

With imagination, Jose Fortes Pastor picks a pass forward to Darren Myers. Darren Myers hits a low pass to Dayo Zanetti. Dayo Zanetti knocks in a cross ball towards Darren Myers. Darren Myers rises majestically and gets a header on goal. Gary Gallacher steps in front, blocking the shot. He clears the ball quickly up field.

84.44 3-1

Tomas Postiga flicks the ball to his team mate, Dayo Zanetti. Dayo Zanetti knocks the ball beyond the defensive line but Duncan Hopkin is offside!

87.49 3-1

Greg Shearer plays the ball forward to Craig Rankin. Craig Rankin makes a probing pass to Neil Ljungberg. Neil Ljungberg knocks in a cross ball towards Riccardo Albino. With a superhuman jump, Riccardo Albino connects with the ball and heads it goalwards. Scott Kirkland didn't know what hit him as the ball comes off him at close range. The loose ball is scrambled clear by the defence.

90.00 3-1

Lester Tierney takes it forward alone. Lester Tierney whips in a cross ball towards Neil Ljungberg. Neil Ljungberg rises majestically and gets a header on goal. Scott Kirkland punches it away to safety.

90.00 3-1

The whistle blows full-time!