Back to the old hunting ground...

Crystal Palace 1 v 1 Anderlecht
Friendly - Selhurst Park. Att: 5,232.
Tuesday, 31st July 2007

It always gives a sense of what might have been when Crystal Palace play a European team in a pre-season game. The only dalience with European Football came unsuccessfully in the Inter-Toto Cup some years ago against Turkish side Samsonspur. We can but dream that one day a match against the likes of Anderlecht or Inter Milan or Sporting Lisbon, all of whom we have played in recent years, will carry with it the competitiveness of a real European tie.

It is difficult to gauge the rest of the season on a match like this. The Anderlecht players are not household names, at least not in my household, and as such whether they were the genuine first-team of a mix of reserves is unknown. They looked accomplished and confident on the ball but rarely troubled the Crystal Palace defence of goalkeeper. Sadly, the Anderlecht goalkeeper had little to do either and, to be honest, Palace looked less comfortable on the ball for most of the game.

The goal for Anderlecht, when it came, was a simple affair and was turned in past Scott Flinders from close range by Thureax (sic) giving him no chance. He had pulled off one save earlier and his second half replacement Speroni similarly only pulled off one save of note.

At the other end there was little to trouble their Belgian goalkeeper. A fine volley by Morrison did draw out a fine save and a Kuqi breakaway was shot wide. Palace’s goal was from Ben Watson and the penalty spot. A handball was spotted by the Assistant Referee and was put away with aplomb.
Several new signings made their first appearance in front of the home fans and generally did well. Most significant was the appearance of young starlet Victor Moses. He is soon to be off with the England u-17 team for their World Cup and looked very comfortable. He won’t be long before he is ready to be a regular challenger for the first team.