September 20 2003

Steve Kember

STEVE KEMBER drew plenty of positives from the 2-2 draw with high-flying West Brom but felt Palace should have sewn the game up in the first half.

Palace dominated the opening period and had they been more clinical in the final third of the pitch, they would have been at least one or two goals up.

KEMBER said: "I felt we played Albion off the park in the first 35 minutes so it was disappointing not to get what we deserved from that first half."

West Brom took the lead against the run of play in the 51st minute through Rob Hulse. But seven minutes later, Dougie Freedman on his return from injury fired home the equaliser.

Jason Koumas put the Baggies back in front with a 30-yard free-kick with three minutes to go but deep into injury time Andy Johnson got a deserved equaliser.

There was planty of stoppage time as referee Paul Danson had to be stretchered off after a collision with a player while trying to break up a little fracas.

KEMBER said: "I was pleased how we reacted to going behind with a good response and it was good to see Freedman net on his return.

"We have missed having him around in our last few matches but it is a team effort and everyone has to play their part.

"It was good to see Andy Johnson have a hand in both goals and pleasing to see him get his name on the scoresheet.

"West Brom are a good side who will be up there challenging at the end of the season so it was encouraging to see us give them so many problems at all times through the match.

"We had to come from behind twice and it's good to see your players respond which can only bode well for the rest of the season."