Saints appeal deals Palace blow

14 April 2012

Crystal Palace's hopes of avoiding the drop were hit today when it was announced that relegation rivals Southampton have appealed against Peter Crouch's sending off in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park.

The striker was red carded for appearing to kick out at Palace centre-half Gonzalo Sorondo, who was also sent off as he became involved in a melee as players from both teams clashed.

Southampton today made a claim for wrongful dismissal to the Football Association and the case will be heard by an FA disciplinary commission tomorrow.

Crouch has scored 16 goals this season and the Saints are anxious for him to face Manchester United on Sunday where a win could see them condemn Palace to the drop.

Meanwhile, Nicola Ventola today tried to lift Palace's spirits as they face up to the nailbiting climax to the season.

The 26-year-old Italian striker knows Palace's fate no longer depends on simply beating Charlton on Sunday. But after overcoming a series of injury setbacks he says the fans must keep on believing. Ventola, who returned as a substitute to score Palace's second goal on Saturday, said: "After everything I have been through, I believe that anything is possible.

"There's a lot of tension. It is the last game and we need goals, but I want to take the responsibility.

"I want to stay at Palace in the Premiership and every week I have been thinking about scoring the goal which keeps the team up."

Ventola damaged knee ligaments last September and then, when he had recovered from that, broke his ankle in training. He came off the bench against Southampton after eight months out.

His second-half goal looked like being the winner after Fitz Hall had put Iain Dowie's side ahead and Crouch had equalised, but Danny Higginbotham produced a late equaliser.

Palace's best hope of survival now is to win at Charlton while Norwich and Southampton fail to beat Fulham and United, respectively. A draw could be enough if the Saints and Norwich lose and West Brom fail to beat Portsmouth.

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Saints appeal deals Palace blow

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