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Roy Hodgson checks up on Jakob Johansson as midfielder gives Sweden World Cup play-off advantage over Italy... while Crystal Palace boss plots January swoop for three players

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson was in the crowd to watch Swedish midfielder Jakob Johansson score the winning goal against Italy in Wednesday's World Cup play-off tie.

Johansson, of AEK Athens, appeared as a 57th minute substitute at the Friends Arena in Solna only to score the crucial winning goal four minutes later.

The 27-year-old's second-half strike means Sweden travel to Italy on Monday with the advantage ahead of the all-important second leg at the San Siro.

Roy Hodgson is planning a swoop for Sweden's match-winner Jakob Johannson
Roy Hodgson is planning a swoop for Sweden's match-winner Jakob Johannson

Hodgson would like to sign three players in January to help Palace escape their current rut as they prepare relegation battle.