Eagles fly to sun with high hopes

CRYSTAL PALACE head for a sunshine break in Cyprus this week with renewed confidence they can stay in the Premiership following their battling draw with Man United.

Iain Dowie’s side were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half at Selhurst Park when Vassilis Lakis was sent off.

Even when United threw on Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, the Palace rearguard held firm under intense pressure during the closing stages.

The Eagles now protect a slender two-point cushion over fellow relegation-battlers Southampton. But the fate of Dowie‘s squad is very much in their own hands with home games to come against the Saints and Norwich.