Houdini Hodgson’s Great Escape up for grabs

NO Wilfried Zaha, nine other players on the sidelines and no win in six games now. In Roy Hodgson, Crystal Palace have one of the best signings you could make in a relegation battle. He may be 70, he may have been written off in some quarters after his England nightmare.

But Hodgson (left) still has the ability to organise a team – and inspire players to carry out his instructions. For 75 minutes last night it looked as if Hodgson might be the architect of a famous victory.

Then United equalised before blowing Palace away with a stunning last-gasp volley from Nemanja Matic.

Hodgson saved West Brom and Fulham from the drop. The Eagles’ run-in includes Chelsea and Liverpool but it also features Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Brighton, Stoke and West Ham.

If Palace can perform like this for so long against United, you would fancy their chances against the rest.