Palace clash battle royal for Niemi

ANTTI NIEMI says today’s crunch Premiership clash at Crystal Palace is the most important game of his Southampton career — and bigger than playing in the FA Cup final.

Harry Redknapp’s side are fourth from bottom of the table but are only above Palace on goal difference and have a difficult final game of the season against Manchester United to come next week. Niemi said: “it’s going to be a huge game because whoever wins this will make it hugely difficult for the losers to stay up, so we have to make sure we are the side with the three points.

“I have played in some big matches at this club like the FA Cup final and the UEFA Cup but I would say that this is bigger than either of them.