Palace manager Hart celebrates last-ditch survival in style

PAUL Hart celebrated masterminding Palace's dramatic final day survival by going home to Nottingham and getting into bed.

The 57-year-old said he was left "absolutely exhausted" after watching the Eagles secure the one point they needed to stay in the Championship with a 2-2 draw at Hillsborough.

Hart, whose contract at Palace ended on Sunday, said he has had a fantastic time at Selhurst Park and wouldn't rule out a return next season.

"It's no exaggeration to say that I have hugely enjoyed my time at the club," he said. "There are great people working at the football club and it was a huge pleasure to work with that group of players.

"The challenge was massive, but they dealt with the psychological side of things and got the job done.

"Now we will just have to wait and see what happens if and when the takeover is completed.

"I certainly wouldn't rule out a return, but the new consortium have to make their own decisions."

Hart said that overseeing the Eagles escape act will go down as one of his best achievements in football and that Sunday was one of the most dramatic days he was witnessed in his long career.

"It was an amazing day," he said. "I was left absolutely exhausted afterwards and came home and went straight to bed.

"I said to all the players that after everything they have gone through this season, to beat relegation puts them right up there with some of the greats in the club's history. It really was that big an achievement."

*For all the latest Palace news, including the fall-out and reaction from Sunday's great escape, see Friday's Croydon Advertiser.