By Chris Wright
An extra-time penalty (worth approximately £120 million!) from Super Kevin Phillips – the sly old dog – ensured Crystal Palace nudged Watford aside in the Championship play-off final and secure promotion to the Premier League for next season…
Welcome back Palace!
Veteran poacher Phillips has lost in all three of his previous play-off final appearances, for Sunderland, West Brom and Blackpool, so it’s fourth time lucky for the striker who turns 40 in a month’s time. Will he be back at Palace next season? Doubtful, but he can worry about that later.
Weird that, in facing Watford – a squad brimming over with loanees – Palace have two loanees to thank for getting them back to the big time, with Wilf Zaha (on loan from Man Utd) winning the decisive spot-kick and Super Kev (on loan from Blackpool) tucking the blighter away.
More reaction, photos and highlights to follow…