Source: Daily_Mail
Watford 1 Crystal Palace 3: Paul Hart's battlers put Hornets in the Championship mire
Crystal Palace cut the gap with their nearest rivals - fourth-bottom Watford - to just a point on a night when they also celebrated positive news off the pitch. [LNB]Before the match, the consortium CPFC 2010 was announced as the preferred bidder to buy the club. [LNB]But the consortium of local businessmen will only go ahead if they can also purchase the Selhurst Park ground and will have to thrash out a deal with stadium administrator Laurie Manson. [LNB] King of the Palace: Sean Scannell is mobbed by his elated Crystal Palace team-mates after he scores against rivals Watford[LNB]But the news was the perfect boost for Palace, who posted manager Paul Hart's first away win. [LNB]Goals by Stern John, Sean Scannell and Neil Danns did the damage.Watford rued hitting the woodwork three times, through Tom Cleverleytwice and Henri Lansbury. [LNB] Toon need to spend £60m to survive in the Premier League, warns Forest bossCardiff 2 Leicester 1: Pearson seen off by Jones' plucky 10 Hart said the consortium news was a great fillip, adding: 'It was just as important as us getting this win. [LNB]We just had to win or our situation would have looked pretty bad. But we rode our luck in the first half.' [LNB]The first Palace let-off came on 22 minutes when Cleverley, on loanfrom Manchester United, thrashed a tremendous 25-yard shot that crashedback off the woodwork. [LNB]But, in the 29th minute, Palace took a shock lead. Darren Ambrosecut in from the left and switched the ball to Johnny Ertl. Themidfielder hoisted the ball to the far post where John headed in. [LNB] Crowded out: Watford's John Eustace denies a later attempt from Sean Scannell[LNB]Then Palace got lucky again on 41 minutes when Lansbury's headerbounced back off a post. And, after the interval, it was Palace wholooked the more organised and cooler team. [LNB]The visitors went 2-0 up on 51 minutes. After Ambrose had a shotblocked, Scannell's effort hit the far post and he was alert enough toside-foot the rebound into the empty net. Watford were shell-shockedwhen, on 65 minutes, they went three down. Scannell's shot was pushedup by Scott Loach and Danns rammed the rebound in. [LNB] Watford could hardly believe their bad luck then when Cleverley hita superb shot from the left that crashed back off the far post. Palacelooked out on their feet and, even with a three-goal lead, they hung ondesperately. Watford sub Danny Graham smashed a low drive home on 82minutes. [LNB]There was still time for Palace left-back Lee Hills to be sent offfor a second yellow card on 87 minutes but Hart's men saw the game out.[LNB]Watford boss Malky Mackay said: 'We had enough chances to have won two games.[LNB] Toon need to spend £60m to survive in the Premier League, warns Forest bossCardiff 2 Leicester 1: Pearson seen off by Jones' plucky 10 [LNB]
