Super-sub Gallagher sees off Eagles

20 October 2009 22:11
Gallagher was witness to a terrible first half as both sides struggled to string two passes together - but came on at the break to add some much-needed finesse to the Tuesday night fixture.[LNB]He swiftly won a penalty with a smart turn and, when Matty Fryatt failed to beat Julian Speroni from the spot, followed in to score before clipping in a delightful second for Nigel Pearson's side.[LNB]Neil Warnock's Palace came into the game on the back of a five-match unbeaten run and began confidently, with midfielder Neil Danns seeing a low volley blocked after Foxes goalkeeper Chris Weale had flapped at a hanging free-kick.[LNB]The home side struggled to impose themselves on the game in the opening exchanges and relied on the ball to targetman Steve Howard all too often.[LNB]Palace were also preferring the direct route and nearly pulled ahead when Clint Hill's deep free-kick again caused chaos in the heart of the Leicester defence and Alassane N'Diaye was given space to flick a header narrowly wide.[LNB]Weale was having a tough time dealing with the long ball and clattered into his own team-mate Wayne Brown when coming unsuccessfully to claim another cross.[LNB]Leicester managed to clear and neither side managed to fashion any further chances as a tepid first half came to a drab end.[LNB]Pearson introduced former Blackburn forward Gallagher at the break and within 90 seconds he had the best effort of the evening.[LNB]Fryatt broke clear down the right after a decent pass from captain Matt Oakley and stood the ball up to the back post.[LNB]Gallagher showed admirable technique to meet the ball with an acrobatic volley but Eagles goalkeeper Speroni clawed his effort out.[LNB]Richie Wellens then slashed a shot wide from the edge of the box as the hosts made a far brighter start to the second period.[LNB]Gallagher was involved in everything and won his side a penalty in the 58th minute.[LNB]He played a smart one-two with Brown on the edge of the area and was tripped by Hill as he burst onto the return.[LNB]Fryatt stepped up to smash in a powerful effort which was well saved by Speroni, but Gallagher arrived first to sweep the loose ball into the net.[LNB]Gallagher called Speroni into action with an angled drive before adding a wonderful second in the 80th minute.[LNB]Danny Butterfield miscued a backpass and Gallagher took full advantage, lobbing Speroni from fully 30 yards.[LNB]Substitute DJ Campbell should have added a third late on but shot straight at Speroni as the Foxes moved to within three points of the top of the table.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk