Crystal Palace's hopes of a return to the top flight of English football are hanging by a thread after a 3-0 play-off thrashing.

The Eagles were undone by three second half goals at home to Watford on Saturday.

Although they started the game brightly they were undone by the Hornets' better finishing.

The Championship's top scorer Marlon King fired in from the edge of the area before a curling Ashley Young free kick and a late Matthew Spring goal finished the scoring.

Palace travel to Vicarage Road on Tuesday night needing a miracle to revive their chances of making it through to the play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium stadium.

Among the dejected fans at the game was Brian, 65, of Orpington. He said: "Palace started this game brightly and certainly had more chances in the first half.

"However, Watford began to make more positive moves towards the halftime break and the alarm bells should have rung.

"In the second half Watford came out out of the blocks and immediately scored their opening goal. This shook Palace and once the second goal went in it was basically all over.

"The second leg, on this perfomance, will be a difficult game but we live in hope."

Mark, 35, from Chelmsford, Essex, said: "The first half we controlled the game and were unlucky not to be in front with AJ going close and a few decisions going against us.

"In the second half the changes made by Watford packed the midfield and we struggled to cope in the middle of the park and the early goal followed by two good goals wrapped the game up and the dream has all but faded."

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