CITY 0 CRYSTAL PALACE 2
League Division 1
22nd December 1990
Attendance 25,321
scorers Pointon(35 og), Wright(73)
Ref K Barrett
City Coton, I Brightwell, Pointon, Reid, Hendry, Redmond, White, Heath, Quinn, Megson, Ward – subs Clarke(73), Harper(unused)
Palace Martyn, Humphrey, Shaw, Gray, Young, Thorn, Salako, Thomas, Bright, Wright, McGoldrick – Subs Pardew(unused), Barber(unused)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
MATCH REPORT FROM IRELAND’S SATURDAY NIGHT 22ND DECEMBER 1990
Manchester City and Crystal Palace were Keen to maintain their fine form and high League positions, particularly with the prospect of Europe next season. Both teams came into the First Division last season and have surprised the lot by the way they have settled down in the top flight.
England manager Graham Taylor was an interested spectator, and a number of players were hoping to catch his eye.
Palace opened on a bright note when Bright set up a chance for Wright but the Palace striker was caught offside.
Andy Thorne was lucky to escape with no more than a ticking off for a vicious tackle on Heath.
Pointon fired in a terrific shot for City which Martyn appeared to tip for the corner but the referee gave a dead ball. But Pointon would not be denied and produced City’s best strike in the 32nd minute. Reid tapped a free kick to Pointon who blasted another drive which Martyn saved at the expense of a corner.
But Palace took a shot lead in the 35th minute. City skipper Redmond caused a mix up in the home defence and his back pass only found Pointon. The City defender was trying to tidy you up and hooked the ball past his own keeper to give Palace a lucky lead.
Ian Wright got the second Palace goal in the 73rd minute. He neatly weaved his way past three defenders and slotted home a left foot shot.
Just before the end Heath got in a header which looked a certain goal, but Martyn saved at the second attempt.
