Finn champions Palace

Crystal Palace's Finnish international Aki Riihilahti claimed today that Crystal Palace were "too big to go down" and promised a battling display at Portsmouth.

Riihilahti, the 24-year-old midfielder who joined Palace in a £300,000 deal in March, said: "It would be a huge step back if we went down. This club is too big for Division Two.

But we will fight to the end and we could and should win both our remaining matches. Portsmouth will certainly know they've been in a game."

The Finn's former Valerenga teammate John Carew will play for Valencia against Leeds in tonight's Champions League semi-final and Riihilahti said: "It is kind of funny that we're both playing the biggest game of our lives.

"I'm fighting to stay in the First Division - that's my Champions League."