London clubs contest final

Last updated : 18 May 2004 By Tony Scholes

Christian Dailly - scored West Ham's winner
Palace travelled to Sunderland last night with a slender one goal lead and despite dominating the opening half they found themselves going in 2-0 down on the night with two goals late in the half.

They continued to be the better side and despite losing Julian Gray, sent off after two yellow cards, they took the game into extra time with a goal that should have been disallowed.

Eventually it went to penalties and after the teams took seven each it was Palace who went through 5-4 after a 4-4 aggregate finish in the match.


It was an exciting night’s football that referee David Pugh did his best to ruin, but we know all about that after his performance on the Turf recently against Preston.


Tonight it was the turn of West Ham who went into their home leg against Ipswich with a one goal deficit.

Goals from Matthew Etherington and Christian Dailly saw them win 2-0 on the night when they simply outplayed Ipswich who had former Claret Driss Diallo sat on the bench.

There’s no doubt from the games played that Palace and West Ham deserved to go through which means trips to Portman Road and the Stadium of Light are now confirmed for us for next season.