Royals held at Palace

Crystal Palace and Reading both protected their impressive unbeaten records with a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.

Last Updated: 29/10/11 at 17:54

Hunt: Hit the woodwork

Hunt: Hit the woodwork

Palace extended their run to seven matches in all competitions and the visiting Royals eight, as a lively match failed to produce a winner.

Noel Hunt hit the crossbar for Reading, Glenn Murray saw his effort for the hosts ruled out for offside and Kaspars Gorkss was denied a late winner by referee Andy Woolmer, as the two teams had to settle for a point apiece.

Jem Karacan saw an early shot saved by Julian Speroni in the Palace goal as the game got off to a frenetic start.

The home side quickly countered and Sean Scannell's effort at the end of a barnstorming run was blocked en route to goal, before Speroni was equal to a 30-yard thunderbolt from Reading centre-back Kaspars Gorkss.

The chances kept coming thick and fast. Jon Williams seized on Alex Pearce's defensive header to gallop through on goal, only for Royals stopper Adam Federici to smother the danger at the feet of the onrushing midfielder, and the Aussie keeper was soon in action again to stop a Wilfried Zaha attempt.

After a momentary pause in proceedings as a stray fox was ushered off the Selhurst Park pitch, Zaha fired narrowly wide from 20 yards before Speroni produced a superb reflex save to keep out Karacan's sizzling effort. Gorkss fired the rebound well wide.

Palace had the ball in the back of the net five minutes before the break, only to be denied by an offside flag.

Murray latched on to Williams' through-ball and beat Federici, only to see his celebrations cut short by a marginal decision by the assistant.

The game reached half-time goalless and Reading came out the stronger after the interval. A low Shaun Cummings centre was cleared to Jobi McAnuff, who blasted over from distance, before Speroni claimed possession at the feet of Le Fondre to prevent the frontman poking home.

And the Royals should have taken the lead just before the hour, but Hal Robson-Kanu could only nod McAnuff's terrific cross wide from close range when he should have hit the target.

With both sides struggling to create any significant openings, a moment of magic from Cummings almost handed the visitors the advantage.

Cummings eased past two defenders and set himself up with a good shooting opportunity, but could only fire a tame effort at Speroni.

After a period of Reading pressure Palace responded through Mile Jedinak, who forced Federici into a good save to deny his goalbound header.

But once again the away side replied, and went within inches of taking the lead. Jimmy Kebe centred for Noel Hunt, but the Irishman could only head against the crossbar with Speroni beaten.

The match's high drama lasted all the way to the final minute, with Karacan nodding a Palace effort off the line and Gorkss finding the back of the net with a header only for Woolmer to disallow the strike for an alleged push.

But in the end, there was no way through for either side.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

More Match Results

Monday, 13 May 2013
19:45
Brighton 0-2 C Palace Report
Sunday, 12 May 2013
12:30
Watford 3-1 Leicester Report
Friday, 10 May 2013
19:45
C Palace 0-0 Brighton Report
Thursday, 09 May 2013
Leicester 1-0 Watford Report
Saturday, 04 May 2013
12:45
Birmingham 1-1 Blackburn Report
Bolton 2-2 Blackpool Report
Brighton 2-0 Wolves Report
Burnley 2-0 Ipswich Report
Charlton 4-1 Bristol C Report
C Palace 3-2 Peterboro Report

npower Championship

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Cardiff 46 27 87
2 Hull City 46 9 79
3 Watford 46 27 77
4 Brighton 46 26 75
5 C Palace 46 11 72
6 Leicester 46 23 68
7 Bolton 46 8 68
8 N Forest 46 4 67
9 Charlton 46 6 65
10 Derby 46 3 61
11 Burnley 46 2 61
12 Birmingham 46 -6 61
13 Leeds 46 -9 61
14 Ipswich 46 -13 60
15 Blackpool 46 -1 59
16 Middlesbro' 46 -9 59
17 Blackburn 46 -7 58
18 Sheff Wed 46 -8 58
19 Huddersfld 46 -20 58
20 Millwall 46 -11 56
21 Barnsley 46 -14 55
22 Peterboro 46 -9 54
23 Wolves 46 -14 51
24 Bristol C 46 -25 41

Updated Sat, 04 May 2013

Footer 365

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has signed a one-year contract extension

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has signed a one-year contract extension to tie him to the club until 2017.

Premier League: Michael Laudrup insists he wants to stay at Swansea

Michael Laudrup insists he wants to stay at Swansea - as long as they keep their word and strengthen this summer.

Transfer news: Liverpool's Martin Skrtel open to offers at Anfield

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel would seriously consider his future at Anfield if he received an offer from elsewhere.

Mail Box

Wayne Rooney Is Just An Average Athlete

That's the difference between him and someone like Cristiano Ronaldo - his body just isn't right. We have mails on him, Sparky, Brendan Rodgers and the Europa Lge...

Saving The Europa League And More...

Nice one UEFA, but not far enough. We have some ideas to make the Europa League better as well as more views on Wayne Rooney, Vermaelen in midfield and...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved