Back in the Day: December 20th - Andy Johnson's Double Sinks Reading

Saturday 20th December 1986

Huddersfield Town 1-2 Crystal Palace

League Division Two – Att: 4,181

Manager: Steve Coppell

Sunday 20th December 1992

Crystal Palace 1-0 Leeds United

Premier League – Att: 14,462

Manager: Steve Coppell

Andy Thorn looped a header over John Lukic and in off the underside of the crossbar on the half-hour mark to give Palace a win over the defending Champions. Leeds would go on to miss a host of chances which summed up their title defence. In the end, they would finish in 17th place (of 22 teams), just two points clear of the last relegation place – which was occupied by Palace.

Saturday 20th December 2003

Reading 0-3 Crystal Palace

League Division One – Att: 12,743

Manager: Kit Symons (Caretaker)

Iain Dowie had already been announced as the Crystal Palace manager the day before, but Kit Symons took charge of the match having worked with the team all week. The Caretaker signed off with an impressive victory and that capped what had been a solid spell in charge, moving Palace out of the relegation zone and five points clear of the drop – of course, relegation worries would soon become a thing of the past under Dowie.

Andy Johnson (40, 90) and Wayne Routledge (43) scored the goals that saw off Steve Coppell’s Reading in the late kick off on Sky.

Saturday 20th December 2008

Sheffield United 2-2 Crystal Palace

Championship – Att: 23,045

Manager: Neil Warnock

Nathan Dyer (41) gave the Blades the lead just before the break but a Paddy McCarthy (47) just after the break looked to have earned a point for the away side as full time closed in. Instead, United were awarded a soft penalty in the 88th minute, and James Beattie tucked it away.

Nicky Carle had other ideas and with stoppage time almost expired, the Australian volleyed home to send the away fans wild and back to London with a well-deserved point.

"It was no more than we deserved, we hit the bar and came close on a few occasions so I'm delighted not to have lost,” said Warnock after the game.

"I don't think it was a penalty so I think a point was a fair result.

"I'm proud of them and we never gave in and I'm pleased the game was not settled on that late penalty decision.

"It was a great goal late on and it shows our spirit to keep going."

All Results

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What Happened Yesterday?

December 19th