Bruce's battlers pick themselves up

Crystal Palace manager Steve Bruce was thrilled with his side?s victory at Bramall Lane but admitted he thought they had thrown two points away after conceding a late equaliser.

Palace, who led through Jamie Smith?s goal as early as the 11th minute, were stunned when Sheffield United defender Shane Nicholson equalised against the run of play with a deflected free-kick 15 minutes from time.

?We didn?t deserve to surrender the lead and it didn?t looked like a freekick,? Bruce said. ?They hadn?t worried us or created anything dangerous but I thought we?d blown it.?

However, within four minutes Palace were back in front. Dougie Freedman was brought down by goalkeeper Simon Tracey and picked himself up to score from the penalty spot for his eighth goal in nine games. Substitute David Hopkin struck a third in stoppage time to make it three wins in a row for Palace.

?We showed a bit of resilience and a bit of fight to get back into the game,? said Bruce, who began his management career with Sheffield United two years ago before leaving to take charge at Huddersfield.

?There were a few shouts of Judas ringing around the ground, but I know what football fans are like. They were good to me while I was their manager and I?ll never forget United gave me my first chance in management.?

Bruce was delighted to see midfielder Hopkin mark his return from injury with a quality goal. ?He?s worked like a beast to get himself fit,? he said.

?He?s got a great attitude. It?s great for him because this was his first game in six weeks.?

The Palace manager was also adamant that the decision to award his side a penalty was the correct one. Bruce said: ?It looked like three penalties to me, everyone in the ground knew it was a penalty.?

Palace will make it four wins in succession by beating Sheffield Wednesday at Selhurst Park on Saturday.