George Burley targets play-offs . . . next season

Job done: Alex Marrow congratulates Palace goalscorer Anthony Gardner
Mel Henderson11 April 2012

Crystal Palace claimed their first away win of the season last night but George Burley is already thinking of challenging for the play-offs next term.

On-loan defenders Julian Bennett and Anthony Gardner both scored their first goals for the club to seal a 2-1 victory at Norwich.

Palace are still in the bottom three and Burley said: "I have a rebuilding job to do but don't forget I've been in the play-offs six times and had one promotion from this league.

"When I went to Derby it was a similar situation. I had to make sure we stayed up and that's the priority now with Palace.

"But in my second season at Derby we finished in the top six and it would be nice to think we could do the same here.

"This result should breed confidence within the squad."

Palace were fortunate to trail by just one goal at the interval — Grant Holt netted from close range — but stormed back to stun the hosts.

Bennett, on loan from Nottingham Forest, leapt at the far post to head in Owen Garvan's cross in the 56th minute after a clever short corner.

Seven minutes later it was the turn of Gardner, borrowed from Hull, to head in Garvan centre's at the near post.

Burley praised Garvan and said: "Owen has a great left foot and his delivery was the key to our win."

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