Palace axe Burley after Millwall misery

Posted Sunday, January 02, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (AFP) - Crystal Palace sacked manager George Burley after the struggling Championship side crashed to a 3-0 defeat at south London rivals Millwall on Saturday.

Burley was dismissed in the immediate aftermath of another chastening afternoon for Palace, who remain in the relegation zone after a third defeat in five matches.

The former Scotland coach only took over at Selhurst Park in June and was believed to have lined up a deal to sign former Tottenham striker Steffen Iversen this week.

But Palace's owners ran out of patience as Jason Puncheon's hat-trick for Millwall delivered the knockout blow to Burley.

A Palace statement read: "We would like to thank George for his dedication and hard work and share his regret that things didn't work out for him here."

On-loan Southampton winger Puncheon netted the opener after eight minutes and doubled Millwall's lead mid-way through the second half.

He completed his treble with a fine finish from Liam Trotter's pass in the 70th minute.

Palace assistant manager Dougie Freedman will take charge of Monday's crunch clash with bottom side Preston.

Elsewhere, Norwich beat Championship leaders QPR 1-0 at Carrow Road.

The third-placed Canaries went ahead through defender Russell Martin's 10th-minute goal and QPR then had Matthew Connolly dismissed five minutes into the second half for a professional foul on Grant Holt.

Neil Warnock's team couldn't recover from that blow and their lead at the top is now four points as Swansea went second after beating Reading 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium.

Darren Pratley's 65th-minute goal lifted the Swans above local rivals Cardiff, who slipped to fifth after a 3-0 loss at Bristol City.

Luciano Becchio struck in stoppage time as fourth-placed Leeds snatched a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at Elland Road.

David Wheater's 20th-minute header looked like it would be enough for victory, but Argentinian striker Becchio slotted home a late equaliser to extend Leeds' unbeaten run to 12 matches.

Managerless Burnley handed new Sheffield United boss Micky Adams his first defeat in a 4-2 victory at Turf Moor.

Preston also replaced their manager earlier this week, sacking Darren Ferguson, but there was no improved in their fortunes as Derby won 2-1 at Deepdale.

Coventry played the last half hour with 10 men after the dismissal of striker Marlon King, but still secured a 1-1 draw against Ipswich.

Nottingham Forest battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Barnsley and maintain their long unbeaten run at the City Ground.

An early goal from former England striker Darius Vassell proved enough to give Sven-Goran Eriksson's Leicester a 1-0 victory at Hull, who had Liam Rosenior sent off.