I spent the final 30 minutes of the match against Crystal Palace outside the Tate Modern, when I promptly ended my walk around ‘the big smoke’ that I had been enjoying. 1.0 at Charing Cross, 2.0 at Holborn I couldn’t believe it. Then I arrived at the South Bank. 2.1, still loads of time left to go. Surely we wouldn’t throw away another game… Soon there was another text from Chris…3.1 a bit of breathing space (maybe) and finally 4.1. I’d been texting my dad without any response until this moment. ‘Are you drunk?’ I wasn’t drunk but it felt good. 4.1 up against Palace, I actually started to enjoy my weekend (and it feels a long time since I’ve been able to say that). 10 minutes to go and I met up with two Palace fans (I use the term loosely - Palace is their local side). I wasn’t gloating but I was smirking, though little did I know what was happening at the Vic. All of a sudden I heard my phone which had 2 messages 4.2, then 4.3...****, ****, **** I replied, I looked at my watch surely the match was over but why hadn’t I had confirmation of the score? I phoned Chris, evidently just as the whistle went - relief. Even at 4.1 I’d been left a bag of nerves, I wasn’t even there, how did it come to that? Next up Burnley, in the league they’d been suffering indifferent form possibly as a result of all their cup distractions. A week before they’d been 3.0 up against Spurs, cruising for the Final of the Carling Cup only to throw it away with minutes to go. Then on Saturday they got a draw against West Brom, proving that they were going to be stubborn opposition. Our advantage was that they might have burnt themselves out… Prior to the match the main talk, as it has been for much of January the question was ‘Would Tommy start’ especially after he was ‘rested’ against Palace, however he did and even better Rodgers finally returned back to 4-4-2 and we finally had some height at the back. Time to feel optimistic? Not a chance, though strangely my dad said we’d win 4.0. Before the match there was a very sobering moment as a minutes silence was held for Captain Tom Sawyer who was killed in active duty whilst in Afghanistan. The Burnley fans joined in, and thankfully it was well observed by both sides. 3 other names which I regrettably can’t remember were read out and I think all the fans thoughts were with friends and families. R.I.P As has become the norm this season, the question was how many minutes would we have to wait before someone scored. Tommy Smith raced away with the ball he fed in Rasiak who in turn fed in strike partner Hoskins. Rather than going for glory he crossed in to McAnuff…McAnuff once a major danger man for Palace seems to have forgotten how to score for us. At the time I thought it was a superb save that he eventually bundled in. I guess it doesn’t matter he completely missed it, the main thing is he showed the determination to get it right 2nd time. However as the match progressed Burnley started to impose themselves on the game and Loach wasn’t having the greatest of games and spilled a routine cross. Also, at the time I felt Eagles was being too much space Williamson aside the defence seemed as fragile as ever however, Doyley somehow seized the initiative on a few occasions to bomb forward something which always creates entertainment. Richard who sits near us pointed out that giving Eagles space was a tactic - such is the wingers skill if you launched yourself at him he’d turn the defender and be left with even more space. Maybe he was right. There was two final nervy moments I remember in the first half. Clarke Carlisle being left free at the back - he was quite prolific for us but fortunately completely missed the ball. The 2nd was a free kick on the edge of the box, whilst this ended up not being anywhere near target I’d seen Blake score an awesome free kick against Plymouth and despite our promising start it would have been typical for them to level in this way. Maybe in hindsight we were the more attacking side. At the time I thought Burnley were but I do remember in the second half that despite the usual ‘it’s only 1.0 nerves anything can happen’ I did remark that I hadn’t criticised the defence - and that had to be a positive. Not only that Tommy, McAnuff, Rasiak and Hoskins were all doing their bit. Hoskins was closing down, but when Rasiak got the ball he was using it intelligently and still had the agility to wiggle his way through the Burnley box when out wide, unfortunately no one arrived in time to reach his cross…why do our attacking players still not gamble? Tommy was showing determination as well rampaging down the middle before being fouled cynically. Rodgers then made a couple of changes, Harley came on and then a few minutes so did Priskin who replaced Hoskins who received a standing ovation for the effort he had shown. We’d gone for 4-5-1, which suggested we were going to be sitting deep, however against Palace we’d shown initiative and a clinical approach when on the counter attack. Priskin made an instant impact and scored at a crucial point in the game. It was tight whether he was onside or not but the ball from Harley was superb splitting open the defence as both defenders appeared to think the other was marking him. One on one the Hungarian calmly placed the ball past Jenson. We still weren’t safe and with minutes remaining Loach made some amends for his earlier errors by tipping the ball onto the bar. Priskin then capped a fine substitute appearance by scoring a quite wonderful solo goal. Burnley had been piling the pressure but picking the ball up in his own half Priskin raced away, charging forward into the box, he seemed to know exactly what he was planning. Both Burnley defenders throw themselves towards him, the crowd begged him to cross…he didn’t he pulled the ball back and with plenty of space stroked the ball home. Next up Wolves, the runaway leaders…but then, we were up there a year ago? What a difference a year makes eh?
