Latest articles from Neil McSteen

Hot property Zaha at the double as Palace beat Burnley

Crystal Palace came from two goals down to beat Burnley 4-3 at Selhurst Park on Saturday and move up to fourth in the Championship. Palace, who were looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches, started the brightest with Wilfried Zaha the main threat, but found themselves a goal down against the run of play when Chris McCann scored from close range in the 26th minute. The visitors then doubled their advantage moments later when Martin Paterson hooked the ball into the top corner over a stranded Julian Speroni. Dougie Freedman’s men didn’t let their heads drop and responded strongly.  Four minutes before the break Andre Moritz superbly played Zaha in who then advanced on Lee Grant in the Burnley goal and fired home. Shortly after the break, Zaha linked up again with Moritz, putting the ball through Grant’s legs to get Palace back on terms 66 minutes in and Damien Delaney put Palace in the lead after substitute Jon Williams had put the ball into the box Palace extended their advantage further in the 75th minute when Glen Murray met Dean Moxey's low cross to direct home. Charlie Austin pulled one back in the 81st minute to ensure a nervy ending, but the Eagles held firm to secure a fourth successive league win for the first time since December 2007 in front of nearly 21,000 at Selhurst Park.  

Murray inspires Palace comeback

Glen Murray bagged a hat-trick as Crystal Palace came from two goals down to stage a brilliant second-half comeback against Cardiff City at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Palace denied by 10-man Forest

Crystal Palace were denied a third league win in a row on Tuesday night after Dexter Blackstock levelled for Nottingham Forest nine minutes from time at Selhurst Park. The Eagles had enjoyed the majority of possession and chances in an entertaining first half of football but couldn’t make their superiority count. Dougie Freedman’s men deservedly took the lead shortly after the break when Kagisho Dikgacoi, the match winner against Charlton on Friday, headed home Owen Garvan’s corner in the 50th minute. Forest, unbeaten in the league, then had substitute Adlene Guedioura sent off in the 63rd for kicking out at Mile Jedinak after the two had tangled. Palace surged forward against the 10 men, Wilfried Zaha and substitute Yannick Bolasie causing most of the problems, but it was the visitors who found the net through Blackstock. The former Southampton striker then went close moments later, only for Julian Speroni to pull off a wonderful to save to deny Sean O’Driscoll’s men the lead. Palace could have won it in injury time but Forest ‘keeper Lee Camp was alert enough to stop Peter Ramage’s close range header.  

Palace player ratings v Hull City

Julian Speroni: Subject of a pre-match show of appreciation from the Holmesdale Fanatics, Jules had a relatively quiet afternoon between the sticks, making only one save of real note when he tipped over a drive from second half substitute Tom Cairney. 7

Eagles boss happy with Hull point

Crystal Palace made it nine games unbeaten in the Championship when they shut out Hull City to take a point in a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park on Saturday.