Ferdinand, Lineker & more: Twitter reacts as Crystal Palace beat Watford
Rio Ferdinand and Gary Lineker both tweet their thoughts after Crystal Palace beat Watford in extra-time at Wembley
Kevin Phillips scored an extra-winner from the penalty spot to secure a 1-0 victory over Watford and fire Crystal Palace into the Premier League.
The 39-year-old dispatched his spot-kick in the 105th minute of extra time after Wilfried Zaha had been fouled by Watford defender Marco Cassetti.
Here is a selection of our favourite tweets from the professionals, past and present and in chronological order, after Palace secure their top-flight return.
Blackpool striker Nathan Eccleston (@NathanEccleston) is supporting Palace: “Play-off final – I want Palace to win.. He who is not courageous enough to take risk will never accomplish nothing, he who dares wins #LetsGo”
Former Swindon Town star Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) acknowledges the importance of the final: “Play-off final at Wembley now! Abba performed the song “The winner takes it all’ just before KickOff. £120m for the winner.”
England legend Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) isn’t surprised to see how edgy the game is: “Great endeavour but a lack of creativity, and quality so far. Perhaps to be expected given the significance of the game #playofffinal #edgy”
Former Tottenham chairman Lord Sugar (@Lord_Sugar) is more blunt: “Boring play-off game. Normally best game of the whole season to see two teams fight for a PL place.”
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) reckons the tension is getting to the players: “This game is reflecting how big the stakes are….. #PlayOffs”
Wigan goalkeeper Mike Pollitt (@MikePollitt12) is glad to see the final come to life – a little: “Finally seeing a bit of action in this game #PlayOffs #highstakes”
Former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris (@morriskid) feels Palace deserve to win the match: “If Palace don’t win this!!!”
West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster (@BenFoster) is cheering on his former club: “Well done Manuel! Come on Watford!! #nervous”
Reading striker Noel Hunt (@boyhunt) is impressed by Phillips’ emphatic winner: “What a peno Kev Phillips!!”
Former Aston Villa star Ian Taylor (@IanTaylor7) congratulates the winners: “#luvit @wilfriedzaha Cramp in the celebrations! Congrats #palace. Commiserations to #Watford. #ChampionshipPlayOff”
Former Watford defender Dan Shittu (@danshittu) feels for his old club: “Congrats to Ian Holloway, Gabs, Rambo & their team. Unlucky to Watford FC & all the lads there.”
Blackpool midfielder Gary Taylor-Fletcher (@GTF_12) hails his former boss: “Massive congrats to C. Palace, especially Ian Holloway. Truly a great manager, also Kev P. Only person you would want taking the pen. #PlayOffs”
Finally, Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) is impressed by Phillips’ post-match interview: “Congrats to Palace…..Kevin Phillips….classy! I think it’ll be a quiet night in South London after that!?”
