Palace best bet for promotion, says Blades boss

NEIL WARNOCK watched Sheffield United beat promotion hopefuls Crystal Palace 1-0 on the last day of the Coca-Cola Championship campaign and then tipped the Eagles to join his side in the Premiership.

Chris Morgan’s 81st-minute header secured the points for the Blades and confirmed Palace’s sixth-placed finish in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Iain Dowie’s men host Watford on Saturday in the play-off semi-final, first leg before travelling to Vicarage Road three days later for the decisive second leg.

And with 17-goal Andy Johnson set to return to the side having been rested at Bramall Lane, Warnock feels Palace could secure an immediate return to the promised land.

The Blades boss said: “It’s going to be very close but I think Palace have got the best team. They would be my tip if all their players are fit but all the sides have got plusses and you could toss a coin between the four of them.

“But I do like Palace and think they’re a smashing club. I think Watford can lose to anybody and beat anybody, while Leeds and Preston are the two organised teams, but Palace look strong.”

Palace’s hopes would appear to rest largely on the goalscoring capabilities of Johnson as they struggled in attack without him. The forgotten England striker cannot be ruled of the World Cup reckoning while doubts persist over the fitness of Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.

Preston secured a psychological advantage for the play-offs with a 2-0 win over Leeds at Deepdale.

Both clubs went into the game having secured a place in the play-off semi-finals but Preston’s victory saw them climb above the Yorkshire side.

It meant that the two sides meet at Elland Road on Friday with the return leg at Deepdale on Monday.

Preston took the lead in the 37th minute after a foul by Matthew Kilgallon on Jason Jarrett presented the home side with a free-kick just outside the Leeds box.

Leeds keeper Neil Sullivan failed to get his wall right and Brian Stock clipped the ball past the former Scotland international.

And Brett Ormerod scrambled home the second in the 77th minute, although there was a hint of handball against the home side in the build-up.

Watford finish third but will hope to play better than they did in drawing 0-0 with Hull.

Champions Reading surpassed Sunderland’s Football League record points total of 105 with a 2-1 win over QPR.

Dave Kitson gave the Royals the lead in the 40th minute but Paul Furlong struck a QPR equaliser in the 72nd minute. However, Richard Langley’s handball in the 81st minute meant Scotland international Graeme Murty could convert a penalty to send Reading up with the best record of a side promoted to the Premiership.