CRYSTAL PALACE put a dent in Manchester United’s fast-fading title hopes with a defensive performance that even Alex Ferguson had to admire.

Alex Ferguson claimed Manchester United’s goalless draw against 10-men Crystal Palace has left them with a mountain to climb in their race to catch Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premiership.

Roy Keane had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside against 10-man Crystal Palace as Manchester United’s bid to significantly close the gap on Premiership leaders Chelsea faltered in a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.

Marcus Stewart exorcised the ghost of Sunderland’s play-off semi-final defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace by dumping the Barclays Premiership side out of the FA Cup.

Crystal Palace 2 Aston Villa 0

Luis Boa Morte was included in Fulham’s starting line-up as Chris Coleman’s men looked to halt a dismal run of six defeats from eight matches against Crystal Palace in the Barclays Premiership this afternoon.

Crystal Palace will give fitness checks to Vassilis Lakis and Gonzalo Sorondo ahead of the short Barclays Premiership trip to Fulham tomorrow.

Tottenham 1 Crystal Palace 1

Crystal Palace 0 Blackburn 0

Crystal Palace 1 Arsenal 1

Crystal Palace 3 West Brom 0

Greece are fully prepared to poop the party tomorrow when they provide the opposition to host nation Portugal in the opening match of Euro 2004.