CPFC v Leicester City

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Saturday 28th april 2018 | premier league | Kick−Off 3pm

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Contents

INSIDE THE

programme DIRECTORS Steve Parish (Chairman), David Blitzer, Joshua Harris.

CHIEF exECUTIVE Phil Alexander

PROGRAMME EDITOR Jonathon Rogers CONTENT EDITOR Terry Byfield GRAPHIC DESIGN Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas PRINTER Bishops Printers PHOTOGRAPHY Neil Everitt, Sebastian Frej, Action Images, Rex Features, Pinnacle.

IMAGERY Merlin/Topps, historicalkits.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Jonathon Rogers, Terry Byfield, James Woodroof, Ian King, Louise Court, Dominic Fifield, Chris Waters, Alan Russell, Grace Cullen, Alex Howell.

never miss a moment Follow The Palace on social media!

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Manager

THE

Manager Firstly I would like to welcome everyone involved with Leicester City to Selhurst Park this afternoon, for what is a vital end of season fixture.

Since our last game here I have been delighted with the team picking up four precious points at a crucial stage of the season that has us moving in the right direction. A fortnight ago, my first experience of a derby day atmosphere in SE25 was one I’ll never forget, and I’m sure those inside the ground won’t either!

We managed to come in at the break with the lead after a crazy 45 minutes that saw five goals, and while I was disappointed with the manner that saw us concede two, we were clinical at the other end and managed to outscore Brighton. After the break, we were solid at the back and I was impressed at the way we managed to see out the second half, especially given our late woes against against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Liverpool and Bournemouth recently.

That result gave the squad plenty of confidence and there was a great atmosphere in the changing room post-match, which continued into the following week as we got the players ready for the trip to Watford.

It was an odd game at Vicarage Road as they were the better team in the first half and could easily have gone in at half-time with the lead, but we clung in there. After the break we clicked and became the side most likely to win the game, and perhaps we should have been given the chance to do so had we been awarded a penalty that most would agree we deserved.

However, any point gained on your travels is a good one, and added to the draw we got at Bournemouth and the win against Brighton, we’re picking up results at the right time. If we can extend our unbeaten run this afternoon against Leicester City, then we will be within touching distance of achieving our aim of staying in the division.

We’re not there yet though, and we want to rely on ourselves to claim the necessary points to be mathematically safe. We can’t 4

OUR FATE IS CURRENTLY IN OUR HANDS. IF YOU’D OFFERED ANYONE CONNECTED TO THE CLUB THAT AFTER SEVEN GAMES, THEY’D HAVE SNAPPED YOUR HAND OFF focus too much on the teams below us and their remaining fixtures, as our fate is currently in our own hands. If you’d offered anyone connected with the club that after seven games they’d have snapped your hand off, so we’ve done brilliantly to get to this position and now we just have to finish the job.

A win today would go a huge way to doing that, so please rediscover the volume levels and passionate backing you showed against Brighton, and roar the lads on again this afternoon!

Enjoy the game

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Captain

THE

Captain We come into today on the back of a three-game unbeaten run, which has arrived at a vital time of the season as everyone scraps for points at the foot of the table.

A couple of weeks ago against Brighton we made the perfect start in a very important game. Even though the two goals we conceded weren’t ideal, the most important thing was to get the three points, and I am sure you would all agree it was a very entertaining opening 45 minutes.

We have seen in big games over the last couple of seasons what a difference Wilf can make with his quality, and his performance in the first half really put us in the driving seat. He was unlucky not to round off the afternoon with a hat-trick, which would have been thoroughly deserved.

In the second half, we had to show a lot of grit and determination and proved that we are capable of doing that as team. Once again we had to defend a lead despite a lot of pressure, but this time we saw it through and came away with a valuable three points and a clean sheet.

Last week we headed over to Watford to face a club that we have had a rivalry with following the Championship play-off final, and since we have been playing against them in the Premier League they have always provided difficult opposition. You know it is going to be a tight game against them, and last week’s draw was no different.

It turned out to be a tale of two halves. The first was not what we would have wanted, but the second was a period where we could have taken more from the game. In the end, it was another valuable point as we look to get over the line to guarantee our top-flight safety.

The main talking point from that match was the second half penalty decision. We know Wilf is not a diver; he’s a fantastic, exciting player and so quick on his feet. When you are moving at such speed, if you get the slightest knock you will lose your

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WE KNOW WILF IS NOT A DIVER; HE’S A FANTASTIC, EXCITING PLAYER AND SO QUICK ON HIS FEET. WHEN YOU ARE MOVING AT SUCH SPEED, IF YOU GET THE SLIGHTEST KNOCK YOU WILL LOSE YOUR BALANCE balance, so we deserved the chance to score from the spot. However we didn’t, so now we have to move on to the next one here this afternoon against Leicester City.

Personally speaking, things are progressing really well and I am hoping to join in with training alongside the group before the end of the season. That is something I am really looking forward to, so I am remaining positive that will be the case.

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Chairman

THE

chairman I’d like to welcome the players, staff, directors and supporters of Leicester City to Selhurst Park today, and, as always, all the Palace regulars.

Last week we received the unanimous support from Croydon Council’s Planning Committee for the Selhurst Park redevelopment, and I’d like to thank the council and especially our case officer Matt Duigan. We set a very tight timeframe for the final push, and we were all impressed and pleased by the responsiveness of everyone involved.

This is a huge step forward for the club. It is the product of a lot of thinking and money invested over the last eight years.

There remain some hurdles to get over and plenty more hard work to do, but with everyone’s support I feel confident we can make this a reality.

Against Brighton, the atmosphere and the performance was very special on a day that will live long in the memory, and the point at Watford was another good one against a physical opponent. We are all aware there is more to do, no-one more than Roy, his staff and the players.

Yet again, I feel the need to defend Wilf after his booking against Watford for diving. It’s clear to me that opposition teams are now targeting him, safe in the knowledge that he gets only around 50% of the fouls committed on him, which is extraordinary when you consider that he has been fouled 282 times since 2015, 35 more than anyone else in the division.

There was also a clear agenda last week to accuse him of diving at every opportunity. It’s hard to blame Watford when their tactic worked so well with Wilf booked farcically when it was a clear penalty. This campaign is backed by a never-ending stream of pundits that happily follow the narrative, adding credence to the stories that grow in the telling. There can seldom have been a more nonsensical, unevidenced campaign against a single player.

Back to more positive news, and the academy continues to have a stellar season. After the title wins for the under-23s and 8

AGAINST BRIGHTON, THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE PERFORMANCE WAS VERY SPECIAL ON A DAY THAT WILL LIVE LONG IN THE MEMORY under-18s, now I’m delighted to congratulate our under-15s, managed by Rob Quinn, who are in the national Floodlit Cup Final against Chelsea or West Bromwich Albion. The under-14s are also currently in Italy taking part in the Carcare Tournament with the likes of Juventus, and we wish them all the best.

Also, stay tuned to cpfc.co.uk for some exciting news about an end of season event, which you won’t want to miss!

Today we need you all behind Roy and his team, who have all worked so hard to get us to within touching distance of safety. Let’s all make today one to remember.

Up The Palace!

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Today’s Game

TODAY’S GAME

palace √ leicester

As the season enters its final weeks, Palace host Leicester City in their penultimate home game of the campaign, which began with both teams struggling at the foot of the table in the early stages.

The Foxes had won just once in their opening eight games, and Craig Shakespeare was replaced by Claude Puel who conversely lost just once in his first eight matches to pull the Foxes into eighth spot before Christmas, where they have remained ever since.

With nothing left to play for following an FA Cup quarterfinal exit to Chelsea last month, Leicester have claimed just one win from their last five games as their season peters out. Puel

Roy Hodgson has never lost against Leicester City as a manager (P5 W4 D1 L0), and has won every home game during that time.

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has been testing out youngsters such as Hamza Choudhury and Harvey Barnes in recent matches as he casts an eye towards next term in the Premier League, something Roy Hodgson also hopes to do sooner rather than later, with perhaps one more win sealing Palace’s sixth consecutive year in the top-flight.

However, the Eagles don’t boast a good recent record against today’s opponents on their own patch, with their only success in the last five meetings coming in September 2014. They did though end a five-game winless run against the Foxes at all venues back in December when they ran out 3-0 victors at the King Power Stadium – their heaviest win of the campaign.

Jamie Vardy has been on the losing side in eight Premier League games this season when he has scored, a record for a single campaign in the competition.

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Today’s Game

last TIME OUT

LEICESTER CITY 0 SOUTHAMPTON 0

PREMIER LEAGUE 19/04/18

HEAD HEAD

All-time meetings

VARDY

GRAY

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NDIDI

SILVA

MAHREZ

palace wins leicester wins draws

CHILWELL MAGUIRE

DRAGOVIC

ALBRIGHTON

Premier League meetings

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HAMER

team news

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leicester

Dann, Puncheon (knee) Sako (ankle)

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IHEANACHO

palace

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Iborra (hamstring) James (Achilles) Schmeichel, Okazaki (ankle) Amartey (hamstring)

Schlupp (fitness)

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Form Guide

None

Palace

w l Wilfred Ndidi has made 135 tackles in the Premier League, 28 more than any other player in the division this term.

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Newsroom

THE

newsroom PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED FOR NEW MAIN STAND

Last week saw the club given the green light to proceed with plans to redevelop the Main Stand at Selhurst Park, after Croydon Council resolved to grant planning permission for the project.

The development, which is expected to cost £75-£100 million, will increase the ground’s capacity to more than 34,000, transforming the matchday experience for supporters and providing new facilities for the community, while retaining the Palace’s passionate atmosphere. It is a major investment in the heart of Croydon, which will generate more than £15 million a year for the local economy and create hundreds of new jobs.

Councillors on the planning committee voted unanimously to back the development, which received around 4,500 public 12

expressions of support. Negotiations will now continue with Croydon Council over the terms of the club’s Section 106 obligations to fund transport and community improvement initiatives. Meanwhile, the Council will shortly refer the application to the Mayor of London, and assuming he approves it, the planning permission will then be issued.

The club will then be able to begin scheduling construction work, which could begin at the end of the 2018/19 season and completed in 2021, ready for the start of 2021/22. The existing Main Stand will remain fully operational throughout the build process, minimising the impact on the stadium capacity in the coming years.

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Newsroom

NEW DEAL FOR WAN-BISSAKA Aaron Wan-Bissaka has signed a new long-term contract with the Eagles until June 2022.

A member of the Palace academy since the age of 11, Croydon-born Wan-Bissaka made his first-team bow against Tottenham Hotspur in February and impressed sufficiently to remain in the side for the next five games, leading to a first call-up to the England under-20s last month and winning the club’s ManBetX Player of the Month award for March after some sterling displays.

On signing his new deal the right-back said “I’m really happy to extend my contract at Palace. I’d like to thank Roy Hodgson, the coaches and the chairman for showing their belief in me, and I hope to repay them with my performances.”

NEWS IN BRIEF Palace’s under-23s are set to play against Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton Wanderers or Nottingham Forest in the Professional Development League play-off semi-final at Selhurst Park next week. Check cpfc.co.uk for details once the opponents have been confirmed.

If they advance to the U18 Professional Development League final, the Eagles’ under-18s will travel to either Leeds United or Charlton Athletic to contest the final, which will also take place next week.

The club shop has a new spring/summer range in store, as well as a selection of new ladies fitness clothing to kit you out during pre-season!

Between 14th and 28th May, the Selhurst Park pitch and facilities are available for hire, with packages starting at £3,000 + VAT for a 90-minute match.

The eighth annual Beer Festival will take place at Selhurst Park on Saturday 19th May between noon and 7pm. Tickets are £12 and are available to purchase now from cpfctickets.com.

Wilfried Zaha was named as man of the match for the Brighton game, and was presented with his champagne by Jane Owens in Speroni’s Restaurant.

SEASON TICKETS: SAVE YOUR SEAT DEADLINE Current season ticket holders who have not yet renewed for 2018/19 but plan on remaining in the same seat next season have until 11:59pm tomorrow (Sunday 29th April) to secure their spot.

After this date, fans will still be able to renew but their current seat may no longer be available as they’ll be offered to those already on the waiting list before going on general sale from 16th May. Therefore you don’t have long to keep your seat if you wish to!

You can renew your ticket at cpfctickets.com, over the phone on 08712 000 071 or by visiting the Box Office after today’s match, or between 10am and 4pm on Sunday.

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CHRISTIAN’S VALUE It was not a perfect start to the season for Palace, or personally for Christian Benteke. With zero points and goals after seven games, the Eagles faced an uphill struggle, but now their Premier League fate is in their own hands thanks to the Belgian turning provider rather than scorer. Here he talks to Alex Howell about relegation battles, goal frustration and a potential generation-defining World Cup.

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Christian Benteke

When you think of Christian Benteke being involved in goals, you picture the burly Belgian leaping over defences and powering missile-like headers past helpless goalkeepers, much like today’s opponents Leicester City have found out to their detriment during the past couple of campaigns.

Yet, this season the goals haven’t come as freely as he would have liked. Having been the club’s top scorer last year by bagging 17 in all competitions, a switch in the team’s style has seen the marksmen undertake a new, unfamiliar role – providing goals for his teammates instead.

Only Andros Townsend has laid on more assists for the Eagles this season than Benteke’s five as he selflessly puts aside personal glory to secure his side’s stay in the top-flight, something that didn’t look likely after a sluggish start.

“In terms of goals it has not been good,” he said, reflecting on 2017/18. “Since I have come to England, no matter where I have been I have always scored, so to not score like I wanted to this year has frustrated me. But in terms of the team play, I have been involved more and work more for the team.

“The way we were playing last year, I would have said that I preferred playing alone as we were putting in a lot of crosses.

This year is quite different; the manager wants us to build from the back. As we play with two strikers, that means both have to work together to help the midfielders. I have a different role now, but I don’t mind because the situation of where we were and where we want to go in the league.

I have to do that for the team, and fight and go for the challenges to help us get some points.

“I think that this season is my highest number of assists ever. I have been more involved by using my head or my strength to bring others into the game who are in a good position to shoot, rather than myself where I could be in a position to score.”

Last week brought a trip to Watford, a place where Palace have not lost since 2009, and the resulting hard-fought point moved them six clear of the relegation zone with three games to play.

Benteke, who came on as a substitute in that encounter, says that the squad know the significance of keeping their league position in their control.

“Watford is never an easy place to go and play,” he said. “After we had a good first half against Brighton, we knew that it was important to keep grabbing some points, especially as there are only three games left now. We got that point and now we need to try to grab as many as we can.

“this season is my highest number of assists ever. I have been more involved by using my head or my strength”

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Christian Benteke

“The manager has a lot of experience; he has worked for a lot of clubs so he knows what the Premier League is about. Since he has come in, he has brought a difference to our shape and we have been a lot more solid. I think he has done a great job, and hopefully we can stay up quickly in the next few weeks.”

The match at Vicarage Road was a tense one, including many incidents involving Wilfried Zaha. The Ivorian international has hit form at a great time, scoring three times in his last four games with a notable brace arriving in the last home game against Brighton and Hove Albion, and his hot-streak has been appreciated by someone with Benteke’s attacking ability.

“Wilf is a major player for us as we all know every action and every chance we create is going to come from him,” he added. “I would say our offensive play is based on him. He is a big player for the team and he has done a lot for this club. We know to have him in this side is a big boost.”

Due to injuries, fixture pile-ups and necessity, Roy Hodgson has used a variety of systems this season, the most used of which has seen the team play with two strikers. Zaha and Benteke have been the most common partnership used by the manager, and that is something the target man has enjoyed as the pair share a good relationship on the pitch, as well as off it.

“It is nice to play with him - I feel less lonely!” Benteke chuckled. “Sometimes as a striker, you don’t get a lot of chances.

With him, he will always bring two or three players around him so I can get a little bit of freedom. We didn’t play together last year as he was more of a wide player, but this year I have enjoyed playing with him.”

The last home game was a massive one in all Palace supporters’ calendars as it was the first time the Eagles had welcomed their bitter rivals from the south coast to Selhurst Park in the Premier League. “It was one of the best atmospheres this season,” Benteke suggested. “It was a derby but the atmosphere around the stadium was really nice.

“It was the right time to get a big lift as there aren’t many games left. We wanted to make sure we won that derby because it was our last chance to beat them this season, and that is what we did. It was a big moment for us.

“Whenever we play at Selhurst, the stadium is always rocking.

It’s a great place to play, even when you play against Palace as an opposition player as it is a tough place and the fans are always behind the players. You can see that when we play, no

“Whenever we play at Selhurst,the stadium is always rocking. It’s a great place to play”

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Christian Benteke

matter what, the fans stick behind us. Even when we lost against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur they were behind us.

They play a role as well, and will do in the next three games.”

The first of those sees Leicester City next in Benteke’s sights.

Earlier in the season, the Eagles beat the Foxes by picking up a 3-0 win away at the King Power with Benteke getting the opening goal in a near-perfect performance by Hodgson’s team, leading to their most comprehensive victory of the campaign.

“We had a good start and we didn’t give them one chance to score,” the striker reflected. “From the beginning of the game we were solid and compact. It was a great team performance. This time they play away from home, and I don’t think they will come here and attack us straight away or give us space. They will be compact as they know it isn’t an easy place to come, so it is going to be a tactical and tough game.”

At the end of this season, all football fans will be turning their attention towards the World Cup in Russia, and Benteke more than most, having missed the 2014 edition because of a nasty knee injury. There is also the added spice that Belgium, and their ‘Golden Generation’, have been drawn in the same group with England. It is not a competition he is keen to watch from afar again.

Casting his gaze towards the summer’s festivities, he said: “It is up to me now with only three games left. It isn’t that I have to put pressure on myself to prove something because the manager knows my strengths and weaknesses, but I just want to finish as strongly as I can.

“I think it is going to be a great tournament for us, especially with the group that we have. For certain players, it will be their last chance to achieve something big in terms of a tournament experience as some are getting older and they may have other objectives, so it is going to be exciting.”

However, the global showpiece is still a long way off, and Benteke is purely focused on the task ahead - securing Palace’s Premier League status for a record sixth year, something the striker wants to help achieve.

“It is why we look forward to these last weeks,” he added.

“We are now ready for Leicester; it won’t be easy because they are a good team, but we are playing at home and anything is possible. If we can get as many points as we can, that would be nice.

“For myself, I just hope I can start scoring. I think that in some games this year I have been good and involved in the game, but I just couldn’t score. But, I am more than sure we are going to stay up. You can see that we are moving in a good direction, we are all together and we want to finish the mission.’’

“I think it is going to be a great tournament for us, especially with the group that we have”

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Louise Court

LOUISE

court Journalist, Palace fanatic and former editor of Cosmopolitan Louise Court gives her take on the world of football in each edition.

We will look back on this season as a unique and special time in the history of our football club. I am not talking about gaining planning permission for the new stand, or that we may get to enjoy a sixth straight season in the Premier League. I am talking about seeing the man who has helped make much of the above possible, come into his own as a truly incredible footballer.

The privilege of seeing Wilfried Zaha run onto the pitch in a red and blue kit week after week is something that is all too easy to take for granted. We have seen him develop from a slight, but clearly gifted, teenager into a strong and athletic figure who strikes fear into the most experienced of defenders.

It isn’t just the prospect of him skipping past them like they were static training cones that they dread, it is the sheer humiliation as they try to work out how on earth he did it. He has turned the impossible and unthinkable into part of his regular matchday repertoire.

Wilf’s skills on the pitch are just part of the equation that makes him possibly the greatest player we will ever see in a Palace shirt. There is also the genuine love he has for the club, the fact he still gets his hair cut at the barbers just down the road and that he stays in touch with the coaches from the local team he played for as a kid.

He gets the Brighton rivalry more than any other player I can think of, and then to top it all he comes out with last week’s quote: “Crystal Palace is my hometown. The support is genuine support. It is families and kids who love us as players. I do not really see myself anywhere else. “ If he played for one of the glamour clubs, then those socalled ‘football experts’ who watch a few edited highlights and declare him a diver, would be outraged by the numerous hacks and provocative challenges he puts up with every game, and

would be pressurising officials to protect his talent rather than calling for him to be punished.

Unlike when he was farmed out to Cardiff City on loan from Manchester United, I can’t bear the thought that one far-off day; we may end up watching him play in another team’s shirt again, but this time because maybe ‘he’s just too good for us.’

All I can say is make the most of him now because you will want to tell your grandchildren: “Yes I saw the great Wilfried Zaha play for Palace… and he was even better than they say.” Long Live Zaha!

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // On The Scoresheet

ON THE

scoresheet Andros Townsend speaks to Alex Howell about his favourite goals during his career so far.

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WHAT WAS THE FIRST GOAL YOU SCORED AS A PROFESSIONAL?

CAN YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST GOAL FOR PALACE?

It came when I was on loan at Yeovil Town against Hartlepool United when I was 17. I crossed in a wide free-kick and it went in at the far post, but I didn’t care!

That was against Stoke City last season on a day where everything went right for us. I scored the fourth and it was a good one too!

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // On The Scoresheet

WHAT IS THE BEST GOAL YOU’VE SCORED IN YOUR CAREER?

WHAT’S THE GREATEST GOAL YOU’VE SEEN LIVE?

I’d probably have to go for the one at West Bromwich Albion. In the last minute I ran the length of the field, so it was a special goal in an important game.

Danny Rose’s strike for Tottenham Hotspur against Arsenal [in 2010]. I was the 19th man in the squad and on his debut, Danny struck the ball brilliantly so that was incredible.

WHAT’S THE BEST GOAL BY A PALACE PLAYER IN YOUR TIME AT THE CLUB?

WHICH GOAL DO YOU THINK IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME?

Pretty much everyone has said it this season, but I’d say Wilf’s goal against Hull last season to make it 1-1. That was a good strike.

I’d say Robin van Persie’s volley against Aston Villa just for the technique, plus it was in the game they needed to win to clinch the league. That was a special goal.

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Dominic Fifield reflects on one of the club’s most turbulent campaigns 20 years on

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // 1997/98 Revisited

1997/98 Revisited With relegation confirmed, outgoing chairman Ron Noades helped an extraordinary season take another twist, as he installed himself as manager for the final few games of the Premier League campaign.

Crystal Palace were relegated live on television on a Monday night as Manchester United strolled to a comfortable success at Selhurst Park, confirming the worst with three games still to play. There was no profound sense of shock; no huge wailing discontent. Everyone, from players to supporters, had simply had enough. Demotion was almost a release.

Although Palace, after the most chaotic of campaigns, felt compelled to prolong the farce just a little longer. Two days later, Attilio Lombardo and his linguistic sidekick, Tomas Brolin, were relieved of their caretaker-player-manager duties and replaced by Ron Noades, the club’s owner of 17 years who was in the process of selling up. “I’m looking after the football side until the end of the season,” he offered. “Lombardo has decided that he wants to play only and not manage. He believes that is his strength, and I’m inclined to agree with him.”

Noades had been on holiday in Spain when Mark Goldberg, convinced of his ability to raise the capital needed to complete his takeover, had removed Steve Coppell as manager in March. The outgoing chairman had been privately horrified by the rudderless mess the management team had become, publicly questioning 30

Lombardo’s decision to change a winning side for a critical home derby against Tottenham Hotspur, and was even more outspoken when a trip to Liverpool appeared to be prioritised over a potentially winnable home game with Leicester City. “I could not believe the side we put out,” he had said on the club’s in-house Clubcall phoneline. He described the caretaker’s approach as “totally illogical”.

The Italian had been riled by that, but had no objection to returning to the ranks even if others in the squad were apparently alarmed. One anonymous player took to the press with his fears, saying: “It’s been hard enough this season without arriving at the training ground and finding the chairman in a tracksuit. All the managerial upheaval, and off-the-field business involving the takeover, has had an undermining effect, and if it’s not all sorted out over the summer it might affect us next season too.”

At least Ray Lewington, after time in hospital recovering from a serious blood disorder following knee surgery, had returned to take training, even if he found out via the radio he would be working for his third manager of term. It was another member of the coaching staff, Brian Sparrow, who actually picked the

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // 1997/98 Revisited

MEET THE SQUAD

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JAMIE SMITH

Before 1997/98 The Birmingham-born full-back made his professional debut at Wolves in 1994 and would feature regularly for the club, including in the 1996/97 Division One play-off semi-final defeat to Palace when he scored his only goal for Wolves in the first leg. starting XI, however Noades did ensure that the ineffective Brolin, Michele Padovano and Patrizio Billio spent the rest of the season training with the reserves.

The chairman’s team were duly spanked 5-2 at Bolton Wanderers, before an entertaining 3-3 draw at home to West Ham United in the penultimate fixture. Even then, the Eagles contrived to throw away a two-goal lead against 10 men as Manny Omoyinmi, a 19-year-old striker, scored what proved to be his only goals for the Hammers.

Noades had enjoyed his taste of life in the dugout. Five days after he had sold Palace to Goldberg in the summer he would buy Division Three Brentford and install himself as manager. “I’ve never been allowed to be a manager, have I?” he said. “Brentford will let me – they’ll have anyone other than David Webb.” He would win the manager of the month for August after steering the Bees to the top of the league.

During 1997/98 Having started the season at Wolves, Smith moved to SE25 in October as part of the deal that saw Dougie Freedman and Kevin Muscat move in the opposite direction. He was sent off in only his second appearance against Aston Villa and would finish with 16 league appearances.

After 1997/98 Smith would end up having a lengthy association with the Eagles, making 176 appearances before being released ahead of the 2004/05 campaign. He later played for Bristol City, Brentford and MK Dons before winding down his career in Wales, and then coached at West Bromwich Albion’s academy.

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TEST YOUR PALACE KNOWLEDGE

TODAY’S

mascots

Austin Francis | Age: 8

Nathan Francis | Age: 11

Oscar Brown | Age: 7

Edward Phipps-Smith | Age: 9

Isaac Nathani Woodward | Age: 7

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Junior Eagles

THE

junior eagles MATCHDAY QUIZ Can you answer these questions relating to today’s game? (1 point each)

1.

What was the score when Palace beat Leicester BACK IN DECEMBER?

2.

Which player scored his first goal of the season in that game?

3.

Who was Leicester’s manager at the start of this season?

4.

Who is the Foxes’ record signing, who is currently on loan at Newcastle United?

5.

6.

What nationality is former Leicester defender Jeffrey Schlupp?

Which player is the Foxes’ top scorer SO FAR THIS CAMPAIGN?

MAscot madness (2 points) What is the name of the Leicester mascot?

34

Crystal Palace v Leciester City // Junior Eagles

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE (1 point each) Can you find the five changes between the photos?

ANAGRAM

Guess the Eagles star (2 points)

NEWSSTAND DONOR

Who has more?

(1 POINT each) Which of these Palace players has played the most Premier League minutes this season?

1.

2.

3.

Wayne Hennessey or Wilfried Zaha?

Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Joel Ward?

Levi Lumeka or Sullay Kaikai?

the killer question

?

e r o c s u o y id d w o H GLE! 20/20 – SUPER EA ER 15-19: - STAR STRIK AYMAKER 10-14: MIDFIELD PL FUTURE 5-9: ONE FOR THE R 0-4: DODGY KEEPE

(2 points)

Which player was sent off when Palace and Leicester met at the King Power Stadium back in December?

SCore

ANSWERS: MATCHDAY QUIZ: 1. 3-0 2. Christian Benteke 3. Craig Shakespeare 4. Islam Slimani 5. Ghanaian 6. Jamie Vardy MASCOT MADNESS: Filbert Fox WHO HAS MORE? 1. Wilfried Zaha 2. Ruben Loftus-Cheek 3. Levi Lumeka ANAGRAM: Andros Townsend KILLER QUESTION: Wilfred Ndidi SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1. Premier League logo has changed colour 2. Macron logo missing from Loftus-Cheek’s arm 3. ‘Z’ missing from Zaha’s shirt 4. ‘0’ missing from front of Watford shirt 5. ‘8’ missing from sleeve of Watford player.

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Messageboard

MATCHDAY MATCHDAY messages

messages

Send your message (max 25 words) with a picture to programme@cpfc.co.uk for a chance to be in a future edition of the Palace programme.

01 - Happy 30th birthday Alan on 6th May. Have an amazing day!

Love from Kayleigh xxx 02 - To Leo - happy fifth birthday! (18/04/18). Have a great day!

Love you loads, Mum, Dad, Jake and family xxx 03 - Tony Charman, who was a player for Palace between 19571962, died on 27th January. A fine outside left and lifelong Palace fan, he will be fondly remembered.

04 - Happy 18th birthday to my son, Jordan Mason, for tomorrow, love Mum! Also happy 60th birthday to my mum, Sue, love Kel xxx 05 - A huge welcome from all at Crystal Palace FC to Roger Wade, founder of Boxpark, who is here supporting the Eagles today.

06 - A massive welcome to Brixton Gas legend, Tommy ‘The Tank’ Turner.

07 - Happy birthday Mum. Have a great day! Love from Sam. 08 - Happy birthday to Charlie Taylor who will be 18 on 27th April, lots of love Mum, Dad, Georgia and Harvey. Come on you Palace!

09 - Happy birthday to Allison Kenna who follows Palace home and away, have an amazing day! Love McHardy, Tony, Chin and Sarah xxx 10 - Happy 75th birthday Clive. Still a lifelong supporter travelling up from Herne Bay, all our love from wife Gwen and the whole family xxx 11 - A very happy 50th birthday to Monique Collins, hope you enjoyed your surprise party. All our love, David and Mia xx 12 - Happy birthday Teddy Terry! Palace forever! Love Carole xx 13 - Happy birthday to two massive Palace fans, Liam who is 13 today and Malachi who turns 16 on 6th May. Lots of love from Mum and Dad xxx

14 - Happy 21st birthday Tom, love you more! Mum, David and family xx 15 - Happy birthday to Ethan Andrews. 18 at last! We’re all looking forward to that first round of drinks on you! Much love from Dad, family and all your friends in the lower tier. Cheers!

16 - Happy birthday to Grant, lots of love from Helen, Jack, Cole and Emma xx 17 - Trevor Thomas Floodgate, 16th October 1946 – 19th February 2018. An avid Palace supporter, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. RIP, Tatsfield friends xx 18 - Happy seventh birthday to Stanley Simpson. Lots of love from Nan, Grandad, Mum, Dad, Iris and all the family.

19 - Roy Pilcher – 1929-2017. Born on Holmesdale Road, he was a lifelong loyal supporter and season ticket holder, and enthused three further generations of Eagles fans. A true gentleman.

20 - Christopher John Hughes passed away on 18th April from pancreatic cancer aged 46. A season ticket holder in the Lower Holmesdale, the last 15 years of which he spent travelling up from Devon. Despite being past his prognosis date, made it to Selhurst one last time to see his beloved Palace beat Brighton.

21 - Happy sixth anniversary Michelle! Love you – David.

22 - Happy birthday to lifelong Eagles fan Walter Williamson, whose first match was in October 1937 and is in the directors’ box today, 80 years later. Love from all his family.

23 - In memory of Sheila Richardson (nee Walker). Sheila died on 12th April aged 77. A former Palace employee and fan for 50 years. RIP. 24 - There was a surprise spectator for CPLFC under-10s’ 6-1 away win against Holland Sports Junior FC, on Sunday 23rd April.

37

Will Donkin He may be unknown to the majority of the Palace fanbase, but this season has seen academy midfielder Will Donkin make a name for himself in East Asia. His displays for the Chinese Taipei national team, despite being only 17, have seen him become a regular international, and here he tells Jonathon Rogers how his amazing story came about.

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Will Donkin

In a season filled with remarkable stories surrounding Crystal Palace, perhaps none is more extraordinary than a 17-year-old in their academy already boasting more international caps than the majority of Premier League players.

Thousands of miles away, Will Donkin has rapidly become a surprise sensation after amassing five full caps for Chinese Taipei since his unexpected call-up in November. The midfielder had only been at the Eagles a matter of months after a five-year stint at Chelsea, and he had barely found his feet in south London before he received a telephone call sending him to the other side of the world.

Qualifying for Chinese Taipei – the official name for the state of Taiwan – through his mother, Donkin’s family had alerted national team boss Gary White of their son’s eligibility, and the Englishman swiftly persuaded the Palace youngster to pledge his allegiance to the East Asian nation.

Taking up the tale, Donkin said: “It all happened quite quickly. I had just finished my GCSEs and Gary White asked me to come to Qatar for a training camp ahead of an Asian Cup qualifier against Turkmenistan.

“I obviously had to give it some thought but it was too good an opportunity to pass, so I decided to go for it. It was definitely a bit of a shock to get a full senior call-up having been used to playing under-18s football. I was a little nervous but I decided to go out there and just play with no fear, and fortunately I got to come on for the last minutes of the game. We lost 2-1 but I was very grateful that I was able to make my senior international debut at 16.

“In December I was called up again for an international tournament against Singapore, Laos and East Timor. I got a lot more minutes as I played in all three games and contributed two assists. Because of flight delays to one of the teams, we ended up playing three games in three days so that was tough, but another good learning experience. Then in March, we had our final Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore when I made my first start and played 88 minutes in another win, taking our home record to six consecutive victories.”

Having drip-fed the teenager international minutes, White’s success means his methods cannot be questioned.

They had taken a scalp by beating Bahrain during qualifying and December’s tournament success clinched the country’s first silverware in 49 years, propelling them to their best ever FIFA world ranking of 121st.

Already adored by the nation’s fans, Donkin has affectionately been nicknamed “Doughnut Boy” due to his 40

“Being a full international is a little surreal but I just need to keep using the confidence I gain from it to work hard at the club”

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Will Donkin

surname’s translation into Mandarin, a language he has a basic grasp of. “Football in Taiwan is really taking off,” he added. “Lots of people are getting into it since Gary White has taken over, and the team is playing really well. He’s got us playing much more attacking, exciting football and everyone in the country is being drawn into it.”

Donkin has also been enjoying success 6,000 miles away back in SE25, playing 10 times for Paddy McCarthy’s under-18 side that recently claimed the U18 Professional Development League South title, and both player and manager believe that juggling the demands of international and academy football on opposite sides of the planet has seen his game develop at a faster rate.

“Going out there and playing against international footballers at such a young age has definitely helped,” he said.

“I’ve had to adapt to the men’s game as it’s more physical; I try to use my body more, move the ball quicker and take less touches.

“Now when I come back to Palace, I can continue the momentum and bring a bit more confidence into playing in the league, so that’s good for me. Paddy has said that my game is improving because I’m playing at a high level, so it’s been a really good opportunity at such a young age.

“Being a full international is a little surreal but I just need to keep using the confidence I gain from it to work hard at the club.

The last few months have been a great experience and now I have the chance to keep on building on it.”

41

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Opposition

Leicester City

THE FOXES FOUNDED: 1884

The Foxes’ Premier League triumph in 2015/16 is one of sport’s greatest underdog stories, as the club breezed to their first ever top-flight title by a 10-point margin that still leaves supporters rubbing their eyes with amazement. What made it all the more improbable is that a decade ago, Leicester were in the third tier having suffered relegation under Ian Holloway, but after bouncing straight back they would win the Championship to return to the Premier League after a 10-year absence. After pulling off a great escape to survive in the division in their first season back, they would win the league and went on to reach the last eight of the UEFA Champions League last term to continue their fairytale.

the manager

honours

PLAYING CAREER 1979-1996: Monaco MANAGERIAL CAREER 1999–2001: Monaco 2002–2008: Lille 2008–2011: Lyon 2012–2016: Nice 2016–2017: Southampton 2017–present: Leicester City HONOURS: 1x Ligue 1 title

Top-flight champions – 1

Second tier champions – 7

The kits League Cup winners - 3

Community Shield winners - 1 44

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Opposition

the stadium OPENED: 2002 RECORD ATTENDANCE: 32,312 v Sunderland Premier League 8th August 2015

MOSt games

MOSt goals

legend

GRAHAM CROSS 599 1960-1976

ARTHUR CHANDLER 273 1923-1935

GORDON BANKS 356 GAMES, 0 GOALS 1959-1967

10 year record

PREMIER LEAGUE championship league one LEAGue two

1st

12th

14th

1st

5th

22nd

2007/08

1st

2008/09

2009/10

6th

10th

9th

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17 45

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Opposition

01

Age: 31 Signed From: Leeds United LCFC Debut: August 2011

LCFC Record: GAMES: 295 GOALS: 0

Schmeichel’s career has gone from strength to strength since replicating his father Peter’s feat of lifting the Premier League trophy, as he has since been named Danish Player of the Year for the last two years and claimed the Foxes’ Player of the Year award last season.

The shot-stopper’s career began at Manchester City where he was thrust into the first-team at the start of 2007/08 after numerous loan spells, but with Joe Hart also emerging he was forced to seek games elsewhere and spent time at Notts County and Leeds United before arriving at the Foxes in 2011. He helped the club gain promotion in 2013/14 before their Premier League triumph two years later, and is now a regular in the Danish side with 31 caps to his name.

Age: 21

LCFC Debut: October 2015

16 Age: 27

Signed From: Bayer Leverkusen

LCFC Debut: September 2017

Age: 34

05 Signed From: Notts Forest

LCFC Record: GAMES: 53 GOALS: 1

LCFC Debut: February 2012

LCFC Record: GAMES: 122 GOALS: 0

LCFC Record: GAMES: 267 GOALS: 11

46

Signed From: Scholar

LCFC Debut: September 2014

Age: 31

03

Signed From: QPR

02

LCFC Record: GAMES: 13 GOALS: 0

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Opposition

15

Age: 25 Signed From: Hull City LCFC Debut: August 2017

LCFC Record: GAMES: 40 GOALS: 2

A shining light in a dismal season for Hull City last term, Maguire has continued to show his qualities in the top-flight for the Foxes this term following his £17 million summer move, resulting in him winning his first four England caps during 2017/18.

Maguire started his career with hometown club Sheffield United where he made the majority of his 166 appearances in League One, scooping the Blades’ Player of the Year three seasons in a row between 2012 and 2014. That prompted Hull to snap him up for £2.5 million and after being loaned to Wigan Athletic, upon his return he helped the Tigers reach the Premier League before establishing himself as a regular, but he couldn’t stop the Humberside club’s slide into the Championship last season.

Age: 31

LCFC Debut: August 2015

Signed From: Atalanta

LCFC Debut: August 2015

Age: 32

29

Signed From: Schalke 04

28 LCFC Record: GAMES: 108 GOALS: 2

LCFC Record: GAMES: 28 GOALS: 0

07

11 Age: 28

Signed From: Aston Villa

LCFC Debut: August 2014

Age: 21

Signed From: Birmingham City

LCFC Debut: January 2016

LCFC Record: GAMES: 95 GOALS: 6

LCFC Record: GAMES: 150 GOALS: 10

47

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Opposition

18 Age: 23

LCFC Record: GAMES: 54 GOALS: 1

LCFC Record: GAMES: 12 GOALS: 0

26

Signed From: FC Copenhagen

Age: 29

Signed From: Sporting Lisbon

LCFC Debut: January 2018

LCFC Debut: February 2016

14

Age: 27 Signed From: Le Havre LCFC Debut: January 2014

LCFC Record: GAMES: 175 GOALS: 46

Despite being the victim of huge transfer speculation throughout the season and seeing a deadline day move to Manchester City blocked in January, Mahrez has hit double figures for goals for the third season in succession.

Signed from Le Havre in 2014 towards the end of the Foxes’ Championship promotion campaign, he initially struggled with physical nature of English football but gradually became a key component of their side, and would finish Leicester’s title-winning campaign with 17 league goals to be named PFA Players’ Player of the Year, Leicester’s Player of the Year and the African Footballer of the Year. He has 34 caps for his country and represented them in the 2014 World Cup.

48

Age: 20

LCFC Debut: December 2016

LCFC Record: GAMES: 60 GOALS: 4

Signed From: Scholar

LCFC Debut: January 2017

Age: 21

32

Signed From: Genk

25

LCFC Record: GAMES: 4 GOALS: 0

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Opposition

Age: 21

LCFC Debut: August 2017

Signed From: Man City

LCFC Debut: September 2017

Age: 20

08

Signed From: Scholar

38

09

Age: 22

LCFC Record: GAMES: 112 GOALS: 19

Signed From: Gazelec Ajaccio

LCFC Debut: February 2018

33

Age: 31

20 Signed From: Mainz

LCFC Record: GAMES: 24 GOALS: 6

LCFC Debut: August 2015

LCFC Record: GAMES: 5 GOALS: 0

LCFC Record: GAMES: 12 GOALS: 2

Age: 31 Signed From: Fleetwood Town LCFC Debut: August 2012

LCFC Record: GAMES: 230 GOALS: 86

Once again Vardy has shown his quality this term, having netted 17 Premier League goals to put him fifth in the standings and virtually ensuring his place in England World Cup squad should he remain fit over the season’s final weeks.

Only seven years ago the hitman was playing for Halifax Town in the seventh tier, but after impressing at Fleetwood Town Leicester paid a non-league record £1.7 million to sign him. He bagged 16 goals to help them out of the Championship in 2013/14, but two seasons later his 24 strikes fired the Foxes to the Premier League title, a season which saw him set a divisional record by netting in 11 consecutive games, and named the Football Writers’ Player of the Year.

49

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Get Stuck In

Take a trip down memory lane with these retro stickers depicting some of Leicester’s blasts from the pasts, and some faces you may have forgotten.

MOST PREMIER LEAGUE APPEARANCES Forever associated with Leicester City, Muzzy Izzet made 222 of his 324 Foxes appearances in the Premier League and was at the club during the Martin O’Neill era that brought two League Cups. During his eight years at Leicester, he would also play in a World Cup semi-final for Turkey against Brazil in 2002, winning nine caps in total.

MOST PREMIER LEAGUE GOALS Streets ahead of current teammate Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy currently has 59 strikes to his name in the Premier League. After only netting five times during his first season of top-flight action, 24 in the 2015/16 season fired the Foxes to the league title; a campaign that also included the England hitman netting in a league record 11 matches in succession.

RETRO BADGE This smart, if minimalist, crest was known to supporters as the ‘walking fox’ badge, and was radical at the time of its introduction in 1983. It would adorn Leicester’s shirts for nine seasons before the first incarnation of their current crest was used, which would have a couple of slight cosmetic modifications to reach today’s design.

50

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Get Stuck In

CLUB CONNECTION Having been spotted playing for Cork City in his native Ireland as a youngster, Damien Delaney was brought to the Foxes by Eagles legend Peter Taylor in 2000 as a teenager. He would make his league debut at Old Trafford against Manchester United the following year, and made 11 appearances in total during his time at Filbert Street before following Taylor to Hull City in 2002.

who am I? Can you remember the name of this striker who boasted an impressive strike-rate of 41 goals in a century of league appearances for Leicester in the mid-1990s? He arrived from Huddersfield Town having started his career at Watford, and would represent Wales 15 times during his lengthy career. He left City to have a brief spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Norwich City.

DODGY HAIRCUT Nottingham Forest striker Jason Lee was ridiculed during the 1990s for having “a pineapple on his head”, but escaping the same criticism was another player in the East Midlands. Amazingly, this wasn’t Jamie Lawrence’s worst hairstyle during his career, as he turned out for Bradford City with shockingly bright red, and later pink, dye-jobs.

MODERN DAY LEGEND The image of Wes Morgan lifting aloft the Premier League trophy at the end of the most remarkable season of football ever seen will live long in the memories of all fans, not just those fortunate to have supported the Foxes at the time. The Jamaican defender had also captained the club to the Championship title two years earlier, and played every minute of their 2015/16 success.

51

Who Am I answer: Iwan Roberts

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Kit Off

KITOFF

This season, we will be having a look back at some of our opponents’ best and worst kits during their history, and comparing them to what Palace wore at the same time. Now, you might think that the Eagles’ kits will win every time, but impartiality will rule here as much as possible with stunning shirts of other teams given the appropriate praise!

V

r e n n Wi

KIT CLASSIC It seems almost churlish to discuss Leicester City’s 2015/16 kit, worn in a triumphant season which gave hope to every supporter of a team outside of the top six that one day the league title could be theirs.

Nevertheless, if you are going to win a title, you should win it looking good, and this Foxes effort, produced by Puma, certainly fitted the bill. The classic dark blue shirt, adopted permanently in 1921, was matched by blue shorts; a departure from the usual white worn in the previous six campaigns. With the owner’s King Power brand as sponsor, this sharp strip is enhanced by subtle gold trim which would prove very apt at the campaign’s conclusion.

52

Palace’s equivalent for that campaign, when the Eagles nearly landed silverware themselves in the form of the FA Cup, was made by Macron. The red and blue stripes are present and correct, though perhaps wider than usual, and are offset by socks topped by a red band, with blue shorts featuring a red stripe finishing the look.

It was a season which promised much but tailed off badly, cruelly summed up by the very short-lived joy of Jason Puncheon’s goal to take the lead at Wembley for a few precious minutes.

Therefore, this week the win must go to the Foxes for a kit that will be forever associated with an astonishing achievement.

Crystal Palace v Leicester Cityt // Kit Off

by chris

waters

V

loser

KIT-TASTROPHE Between 2007 and 2009, City were sponsored by Topps Tiles, but this kit and the club’s performances during this time were certainly not tip-topp, as the side, managed Ian Holloway, plummeted into League One in 2008 wearing this monstrosity.

Supplied by Jako, the shirt just about passes muster, with its white shoulder pads complemented by white cuffs. The shorts equally so, though they oddly reflect the shirt in having asymmetrical white sections so that one half of the shirt and shorts does not match the other, and a strange sock design appeared to be an anatomical drawing showing the opposition just where to kick the Leicester player plum in the shin bone.

Palace meanwhile had this Errea effort back in 2007 when the Foxes’ design was launched. Red and blue stripes are present and in abundance, albeit trimmed into a diamond shape to give it a different look, but made the red more prevalent. The GAC logo rather suits the shirt, and the red theme continues into the shorts and socks, neatly trimmed with blue.

This kit was worn in a season ultimately defined by the Eagles’ Championship play-off sem-final defeat to Bristol City; a loss that arguably led to the following campaign’s administration and change of ownership. However, this week’s bin-bound kit has to be Leicester’s lop-sided design.

53

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // The Box Office

More information: cpfctickets.com Ticket sales: 08712 00 00 71* *calls cost 10p per minute

THE

box office UPCOMING FIXTURES

CATEGORY A Main Stand: Glaziers / Wright & Bright Adult Concession Junior £48.00 £32.50 £24.00 Main Stand: Stephenson’s Adult Concession Junior £50.00 £35.00 £24.00 Holmesdale Upper / Lower Adult Concession Junior £42.50 £28.00 £21.00 Adult £48.00

Holmesdale Gallery Concession Junior £32.50 N/A

Adult £42.50

Arthur Wait Concession £28.00

Junior £21.00

Adult £37.00

Whitehorse Lane Concession £26.00

Junior £18.00

CATEGORY B Main Stand: Glaziers / Wright & Bright Adult Concession Junior £38.00 £26.00 £19.00 Main Stand: Stephenson’s Adult Concession Junior £40.00 £29.00 £19.00 Holmesdale Upper / Lower Adult Concession Junior £34.50 £22.50 £17.00 Adult £38.00

Holmesdale Gallery Concession Junior £26.50 N/A

Adult £34.50

Arthur Wait Concession £22.50

Junior £17.00

Adult £27.00

Whitehorse Lane Concession £19.00

Junior £13.50

SAT 5th may 12:30pm

Stoke City v Crystal Palace Premier League, Bet365 Stadium Tickets for this game are on general sale, with free coach travel available for season ticket holders and members.

Crystal Palace v West Brom Premier League, Selhurst Park

Sun 13th may 3pm

Category B prices apply, with tickets available for season ticket holders and paid members.

Current season ticket holders have until 11:59pm on Sunday 29th April to renew their seat for the 2018/19 campaign.

Renew online at cpfctickets.com, by calling 08712 000 071 or visiting the Box Office either after today’s game or between 10am and 4pm on Sunday.

Search ‘CPFC Tickets’ online or visit the box office Monday to Friday: 9am - 5.30pm Saturday Home Matchdays: 9am to kick-off (& 30 mins after full-time) Other Saturdays: 9am - 5.30pm Sunday: 10am - 4pm 55

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Since 2000, the Football Foundation has been transforming grassroots facilities across the country thanks to the generous investment provided by the Premier League, The FA and the Government via Sport England. every changing room the Football 39,160 IfFoundation ever funded was The total area of every all-weather pitch the Football Foundation has funded is equivalent to NEW YORK’S CENTRAL PARK!

www.footballfoundation.org.uk Charity No: 1079309 Company No: 3876305

combined, 39,160 players would be able to change simultaneously!

If every all-weather and natural grass pitch the Football Foundation funded was laid back-to-back, it would stretch from London’s BIG BEN TO CALAIS!

x351

If every goalpost the Football Foundation funded were stacked on top of each other, it would create a structure equivalent to the height of 351 WEMBLEY STADIUMS!

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // My Cult Hero

MY CULT

hero John Sewell

By Neil Daws

When John Sewell arrived at Palace in October 1963, my dad and uncle - lifelong fans who followed the team home and away - had started taking me to every game at Selhurst Park. In those days you could often watch the first half from behind one goal, walk around the pitch at half-time and then stand behind the other.

Although very young at the time and the memory is now distant, I can say “I was there” to witness John Sewell’s invaluable contribution to the team’s 1963/64 promotion to the Second Division. He went on to make 258 appearances for Palace between 1963 and 1971, achieving the honour of being named club captain in the 1967/68 campaign, and the following season he led the club to the promised land of the First Division for the first time in its history.

It was John’s solid tackling and his ability to curl the ball safely past onrushing strikers that made him my hero. Curling the ball is now an accepted skill, but that was not so in 1970 when such tricks were expected only from the likes of Pele’s Brazilian World Cup champions.

My most enduring memory of John is from November 1970 during his last season in claret and blue. The league leaders at the time, Leeds United with all their famous talent, were one-up at Selhurst with seconds to go. Their fans were whistling for the referee to call full-time and already celebrating before John lobbed a high cross into the box from 30 yards. Goalkeeper Gary Sprake appeared perfectly positioned to catch the ball, but fumbled it into his own net. The crowd erupted!

To his great credit given his position on the playing field and the way pitches turned into mud baths in those days, Sewell was never booked in English football, and only once in his entire playing career. That is a remarkable feat for any modern player, and especially so in that tough, take-no-prisoners era.

It is because of this gentleman that I had the number two

sewn onto the back of my replica shirt, and claimed the position of right full-back as my own in almost every game of football I ever played, pretending to be the great John Sewell.

got a cult hero of your own?

To see your unsung Eagle in the programme this season, simply email an article of 350-400 words to: programme@cpfc.co.uk.

57

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Dominic Fifield

DOMINIC

fifield The Guardian’s London Football Correspondent gives his take on recent events surrounding the beautiful game around the world.

Gavin Holligan once played at Anfield in the Premier League though, as it transpired, his more memorable performances would come on a very different stage.

The striker, who had made his name at Kingstonian before moving across the capital to West Ham United for £150,000, replaced Joe Cole with time ticking down in a league game on Merseyside in February 1999. The visitors drew the match 2-2 and the teenager had enjoyed his first taste of top-flight competition.

At the time, it must have felt as if Holligan had arrived. That day, Harry Redknapp’s side included the likes of Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand, plus Paolo di Canio and Ian Wright were also on the Hammers’ books, who would go on to finish fifth.

In truth, that actually represented the pinnacle. Holligan found himself training with the academy again just two days after gracing the same pitch as Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen. He has admitted to feeling “shot down massively” to have return to the fringes, but it was his outside interests which ultimately hampered attempts to make a name for himself at Upton Park.

The forward, a self-taught pianist, had played part-time in non-league while pursuing music projects on the side. Redknapp, for one, never quite understood the youngster’s desire to divide his passions, perceiving focus to be blurred. When the striker departed West Ham in 2001, that cameo at Anfield remained his only appearance.

There would be loans at Leyton Orient and Exeter City and three injury-blighted years at Wycombe Wanderers before he took the plunge into music. Everything the 36-year-old has achieved in the years since has surpassed that brief dalliance with football.

“I’ve toured with lots of established acts,” he told Planet Football recently. “I’ve shared the stage with Gloria Gaynor, Stevie Wonder, Jocelyn Brown, Aswad and Katy B.

“I’ve done stints with Duffy in the United States, and I’m currently working on some new songs with former M People lead singer, Heather Small. I’m also concentrating on my own records, which is going really well, and I’m getting some very good feedback from the project so far.

“At the moment I am transitioning from the role of being a producer and a writer for other people to focusing on my own journey as an artist in my own right. I am still writing songs for other people too so I am quite lucky to being able to wear quite a few hats within the realm of music.”

Holligan, once of the Premier League and a free transfer find on Championship Manager back in the day, found his true calling off the pitch. There is no lingering sense of regret at having missed out.

59

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Community

THE

community Helping young south Londoners grow through the power of sport, inspiring them to find a better path in life, for a better life.

GIRL’S FOOTBALL WEEK To celebrate FA Girls’ Football Week, the Foundation has invited 13-year-old Veronica Owens to be a mascot at today’s game.

Veronica has been playing football since she was five, but it was not until this season, when Foundation coach and Palace Ladies player Pam McRoberts began coaching at her school, that she started taking it more seriously.

The Sydenham School pupil attended after-school sessions as part of the Premier League Girls’ Football programme, but was keen to play more regularly and turned to Pam for advice.

“I was really impressed with Veronica’s attitude and commitment to training,” McRoberts said. “When she expressed her interest to join a team, I made contact with the coaches at Palace Ladies who confirmed she could go for a four-week trial.”

Veronica’s confidence grew during that time, and following her trial period, she was invited to play for the under-13s for the rest of the season. Now training and involved in matches with Palace Ladies, she plays football up to four times a week.

Pam continued: “I was really happy when she told me the good news she would be signing for the team! This is a great reward for her hard work this year, and I look forward to seeing her progress and develop. I’m delighted that she also has the chance to walk out at Selhurst Park as a mascot.”

Veronica’s mum added: “Pam has been incredibly helpful; there has been a huge difference since she has taken over the training at the school. The improvement since her involvement has made it feel far more worthwhile for Veronica to keep going with football.”

Reflecting on her experiences this season, Veronica said: “Since the Palace for Life Foundation has been coming to school, I have taken part in the weekly sessions, competed in the FA

People’s Cup competition and joined Palace Ladies. I love to play football and I’m grateful for everything Pam has done for me.”

For more information about Women and Girls football at the Palace for Life Foundation, please contact: RoxanneBennett@palaceforlife.org.

Palace for life Super Draw Proceeds from the matchday lottery now go to the Palace for Life Foundation. At the Brighton game the winning ticket number was 1911, winning £1,000.

61

BOUNCEBACKABILITY IAIN DOWIE & CLINTON MORRISON

Sponsored by

All fundraising goes to

WednesdaY 9TH MAY sales@cpfc.co.uk

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Quiztal Palace

QUIZTAL

palace

10 To Tackle 1 Which Palace manager signed striker Chris Armstrong

in 1992?

2 Terry Venables was promoted from first-team coach to

Eagles manager in what year?

3 The club paid how much to Southampton to sign Iain Dowie in 1995?

4 When Leon Cort was sold to Stoke City in 2008, which player moved in the other direction?

5 Andrew Johnson made his debut for England in what

year?

6 Johnny Byrne rejoined Palace from which team in

1967?

7 Palace beat who in a two-legged Second Division play-

STICKING POINT Can you name this Palace player immortalised in adhesive form?

CLASSIC ACTION Can you recall the two players going for the ball during Palace’s 1-0 loss against Leicester back in January 2008?

off final in 1989 to return to the top-flight?

8 Midfielder Ian Cox joined from which non-league club

in the 1990s?

9 Clive Allen signed for the Eagles in 1980 from which

London outfit?

10 Wilfried Zaha scored his first Palace goal against which

club?

WHO HAs MORE? Which of these three players has scored the most goals for Palace?

Mel Blyth

Ian Evans

Kenny Sansom

ANSWERS ANSWERS – 10 TO TACKLE: 1. Steve Coppell 2. 1976 3. £400,00 4. Clint Hill 5. 2005 6. West Ham United 7. Blackburn Rovers 8. Carshalton Athletic 9. Arsenal 10. Leicester City. STICKING POINT: John Humphrey WHO HAS MORE?: Ian Evans (14) CLASSIC ACTION: Barry Hayles and John Halls.

63

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // First-Team Sponsors

FIRST-TEAM

To sponsor your favourite player, please call Liam Connery on 020 8768 6004 or email liam.connery@cpfc.co.uk

sponsors ROY HODGSON

RAY LEWINGTON

JULIAN SPERONI

www.phase-electrical.co.uk

PALACE DETECTIVES Proud supporters of CPSCC

daniel.poole@phase-electrical.co.uk – 01424 736204 GOOD LUCK FOR THE SEASON – WILLIAM POOLE

JOEL WARD

PATRICK VAN AANHOLT

LUKA MILIVOJEVIC

JAMES TOMKINS

SCOTT DANN

YOHAN CABAYE

ANDROS TOWNSEND

WILFRIED ZAHA

MAMADOU SAKHO

WAYNE HENNESSEY

JEFFREY SCHLUPP

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

JAMES McARTHUR

TIMOTHY FOSU-MENSAH

www.phase-electrical.co.uk daniel.poole@phase-electrical.co.uk – 01424 736204 GOOD LUCK FOR THE SEASON – WILLIAM POOLE

RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK

T: 0113 3229555

best wishes for the 2017/18 season. the silverstein and tucker families.

PAPE SOUARE sponsorship available

SULLAY KAIKAI

DAMIEN DELANEY

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL 01737 225 711 |

paul, archie and jack m©lear

W S PA . C O . U K

logo-crystal-palace-dec-2017.indd 1

MARTIN KELLY

sponsorship available

JASON PUNCHEON

29/12/2017 09:17

JAIRO RIEDEWALD

sponsorship available facebook dubai eagles

64

IAN KING TAKES AN ALPHABETISED JOURNEY THROUGH PALACE’S HISTORY

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // A-Z of Palace

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Wait will always be remembered for overseeing the club’s rise from the Fourth Division to the top-flight in a single decade, during which time if you asked any fan or player about the former chairman, they would suggest that under his leadership, Palace very much lived up to its reputation as a family club in which he cared for everyone.

Arthur had supported the Glaziers from his youth, remembering Albert Harry and Peter Simpson, and as his building company flourished he forged friendships with fellow fan David Harris and other Palace-following businessmen, and in January 1950 they felt that they could make a better effort at running the club, which was at a low ebb after World War II. Having taken over, the group decided that the chairmanship should rotate every two years and Arthur was placed in charge between 1953 to 1955, but this was still a poor time on the field with the new directors admitting that inexperience was their main fault.

In 1958 the club became founder members of the new Fourth Division and at the same time Wait became chairman 66

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ARTHUR

WAIT

CHAIRMAN 1953-1955 & 1958-1972

permanently, a role he would hold for the next 14 years. He rarely missed a home game and as someone who always wanted to keep in touch with the club’s fans, he would sometimes give them lifts back to south London in his car from outposts such as Barrow and Gateshead.

It was under his chairmanship that the fortunes of the club started to turn around, beginning with the appointment of Arthur Rowe as manager in 1960 who mentored the skills of Johnny Byrne, and promotion was attained in April 1961.

Wait then turned his efforts to improving the ground, which had been virtually untouched since its opening in 1924 and four new floodlight pylons were installed. With English clubs demanding a ransom to play in a friendly to mark their official opening, through Spanish connections Real Madrid, then the outstanding team of Europe, were persuaded to appear at Selhurst Park in April 1962 With Rowe’s health deteriorating towards the end of that year, Wait sent him to Canada to recuperate and placed his assistant Dick Graham in charge, and in the 1963/64 season a

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // A-Z of Palace

return to the Second Division was achieved, 39 years after the Glaziers had last played at that level.

Following unrest between players and the manager, Wait took the bold move to sack Graham at the start of 1966 and placed Rowe temporarily back in charge as he pursued

and eventually obtained Bert Head. Together they slowly put together the players who would take the club into the top-flight for the very first time, and at the end of the 1968/69 campaign promotion was assured after a final dramatic home game against Fulham when a two-goal deficit was turned into a 3-2 victory.

During that season the framework of the new stand on the Park Road side of the ground was being erected with Arthur the driving force behind its construction. The summer of 1969 witnessed frantic activity around Selhurst Park getting everything ready for the big kick-off, as not only did the stand have to be completed but the Whitehorse Lane End was redeveloped into two-tier terracing, and

a brand new supporters’ hall erected in part of the car park.

Arthur was there every day overseeing these projects and as the first fixture against Manchester United approached, an appeal went out to fans to help clear up around the premises, who joined a dusty, shirt-sleeved chairman mucking in and giving out instructions.

The club survived three seasons in the First Division and then in the autumn

of 1972 a consortium headed by Ray Bloye first put money into the club for players. Then in October, Wait handed over the chairmanship to Bloye while taking the title of president, but it soon became obvious that he had decided to cut his ties with Crystal Palace.

Arthur passed away in June 1981 but his legacy lives on with the Arthur Wait Stand which, at the time of its completion, had the largest roof span of any stand in the Football League.

67

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // A-Z of Palace

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THE A-Z OF

UNBEATEN RUNS

VIRGIN AIRWAYS

The Eagles’ longest unbeaten run at home in the Football League occurred between February 1931 and September 1932 stretching to 32 games in the Third Division South, which also meant that they were undefeated at Selhurst Park for the entirety of the 1931/32 season - the only time this has happened.

With regard to away league fixtures, there have been four separate occasions where Palace have gone 10 successive games without losing on their travels, the last during the 1978/79 promotion campaign from the Second Division.

From February to August 1969, the club put together its longest unbeaten run of 18 games home and away, 16 of which formed the base of the promotion to the top-flight for the first time, and included the opening two fixtures of that inaugural season against Manchester United and Sunderland [pictured].

It is unlikely that the club will emulate such statistics in the Premier League, but during this season Roy Hodgson’s team created a new club record of remaining unbeaten in seven top-flight matches between November and December, and during roughly the same period they put together a run of five undefeated away games for the first time since February 2015.

68

In February 1988 Virgin Airways became the first major company to sponsor Palace’s shirts, taking over from insurance and financial services outfit Andrew Copeland. Their initial deal also included advertising around the ground, the club lottery offering flights and holidays as prizes and the players involved in promotional events.

The team first wore shirts with ‘Fly Virgin’ on the front two days after the announcement in a home game against Shrewsbury Town, but our bogey side went away with the points.

It proved to be a good move by the airline company who enjoyed plenty of exposure due to Palace reaching the First Division, and then the FA Cup final in May 1990. For that game the shirts had the addition of ‘to L.A.’ emblazoned on the front, while supporters were supplied with numerous elongated branded sausage balloons. In March 1991 for the Zenith Data Systems Cup final, Virgin added ‘to Boston’ to the jerseys as the Eagles defeated Everton 4-1 after extra-time.

However, the following summer saw the agreement came to an end, and Palace’s new sponsors for the 1991/92 season would be Tulip Computers.

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // A-Z of Palace

WREXHAM Founded by members of Wrexham Cricket Club in 1864, the Welsh outfit are the thirdoldest professional club in the world and the oldest in Wales, and it appears that they have always played their home games at the Racecourse Ground.

The most important and dramatic those encounters came at the end of the 1976/77 Third Division season as the Eagles defeated their promotion rivals 2-1 at Selhurst Park. Then eight days later, goals from Rachid Harkouk and Jeff Bourne secured a 4-2 victory at the Racecourse Ground, meaning Wrexham had to win their final game at home, which they failed to do and ensured Palace went up.

of

WRONG SHIRTS There have been at least occassions at Selhurst Park where the referee has deemed the kit of the opposition to clash with Palace’s, thus producing the strange sight of the Eagles’ away colours also being worn.

The first was against Swindon Town in December 1973 when the Robins had to wear white shirts during Palace’s 4-2 win, and then just over three years later Grimsby Town were forced to take to the field in a Palace strip and they also lost, this time 2-1.

When the rules of football were in their infancy, their early friendly matches featured up to 17 players each but the Dragons led the campaign to reduce it to 11-a-side. In 1878 they were the inaugural winners of the Welsh Cup, playing in Combination and Welsh leagues until 1905 when they joined the Birmingham & District League.

In 1921 they were members of the new Football League Third Division North and played in the second, third and fourth tiers until they were relegated to the National League in 2008. Like many other clubs, Wrexham have had their financial difficulties and since 2011 they have been a supporterowned club.

Palace have met Wrexham 16 times in the league without being beaten, with their only loss coming in the FA Cup back in 1974.

More recently in April 2013 it was the turn of Barnsley when the officials deemed that both sets of the Tykes’ away kit would be unsuitable, meaning that the Yorkshire outfit had to purchase replica Palace second shirts from the club shop at a discounted rate, but Barnsley held the Eagles, then in fourth place, to a goalless draw.

However, the same problem has almost certainly befallen the Eagles on their travels during their history.

69

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Step Back

Step Back

Each week, club photographer Neil Everitt delves into his archive of albums spanning five decades for some unique Eagles imagery.

Selhurst Park has had its fair share of animal visitors, some uninvited. These have included cats, dogs, a squirrel and a fox on at least one occasion. This most recent visitor took up residence in the ground for a few weeks in 2004 and seemed to take great offence at the regular football interruptions.

71

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72

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Noticeboard

THE

noticeboard SMOKING Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside Selhurst Park. To smoke you need to be outside the club’s property on Holmesdale Road or beyond the gates to Sainsbury’s car park.

EQUALITY Crystal Palace Football Club is committed to identifying, confronting and eliminating discrimination and intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members or participants in Foundation programmes has a real and equal opportunity to do so.

The club is also supporter of the Kick It Out programme and would like to remind all supporters to refrain from racist, homophobic or discriminative chanting.

TEXT ALERT NUMBER If you notice an issue on a matchday and want to report an incident, we have a confidential text alert number on 07507 477669 to contact the club directly.

SAFEGUARDING Free young supporter wristbands which can include your contact information to keep your child safe can be collected from the Information Centre, which is located in the main car park by Entrance 9.

STADIUM SECURITY Crystal Palace has been working closely with the police and the Premier League to review security at Selhurst Park. It is vital that everyone remains vigilant and reports any concerns to stewards or police.

EARLY BIRD OFFER Fans who are in the ground more than 45 minutes before kick-off can grab themselves a special offer at the food outlets, with a burger and a drink available for just £6.

Take your pick from a hamburger, chicken burger, falafel burger or a hot dog and combine with the choice of a beer, cider, soft drink, water or a hot beverage to start your matchday the right way!

OPENING TIMES The Club Shop will be open until kick-off and then for an additional hour after the game, while the Box Office will also be open until kick-off but closes 30 minutes after the final whistle.

Please note that all views from external contributers in this programme are not necessarily those of Crystal Palace Football Club.

CONTACT Main Switchboard 020 8768 6000 Box Office 08712 000071 Disabled Ticket Enquiries 020 8768 6080 Corporate Sales 020 8768 6010

Conference & Events 020 8768 6013 Club Shop 020 8768 6100 Press Office 020 8658 7700

Catering 020 8768 6009 Palace for Life Foundation 020 8768 6047 Customer Services customer.services@cpfc.co.uk

73

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Final Score

3-2

crystal palace

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

SELHURST PARK- 14TH APRIL 2018 - 24,656 Palace’s game of the season lived up to its billing as a Wilfried Zaha brace helped them to victory against their arch-rivals at the third attempt this season, and clinch a huge victory in the context of their campaign.

Unbelievably all the scoring occurred in the first half, beginning on five minutes when Luka Milivojevic’s shot was saved

by Mathew Ryan but it dropped perfectly for Zaha to prod home from a matter of centimetres, and then nine minutes later James Tomkins doubled the advantage after a scramble inside the box.

The two-goal lead lasted a matter of minutes when Glenn Murray hooked in from close range, but a third goal in a 10-minute spell fell to the hosts when Milivojevic lofted a scooped pass into the area for Zaha to drive a header past the helpless Ryan.

However Brighton dragged themselves back into the game on 34 minutes when Jose Izquierdo bent a shot around Wayne Hennessey, but the Welshman would prove pivotal to the victory during a tense second half, saving well from Dale Stephens to ensure the Eagles claimed their first home win since January.

HENNESSEY

WARD

Roy hodgson

chris hughton

TOMKINS

SAKHO

CABAYE

MILIVOJEVIC

McARTHUR

LOFTUS-CHEEK ZAHA

WE DID IT THE EASY WAY IN THE FIRST HALF BUT THE HARD WAY IN THE SECOND. OUR FIRST HALF PERFORMANCE WAS COMMANDING BUT I WAS DISAPPOINTED WE CONCEDED TWO GOALS

VAN AANHOLT

WE ARGUABLY HAD THE TWO BEST CHANCES IN THAT SECOND HALF, BUT YOU CAN’T GIVE AWAY THE GOALS THAT WE GAVE AWAY IN THE EARLIER PERIOD OF THE GAME

MURRAY

LOCADIA

STEPHENS BONG

TOWNSEND

IZQUIERDO

GROSS

KAYAL

SCHELOTTO

DUNK

DUFFY RYAN

15

SHOTS

12

CRYSTAL PALACE

BRIGHTON

08

SHOTS ON TARGET

03

05

CORNERS

06

367

TOTAL PASSES

347

SUBSTITUTES 01. Julian Speroni 29. Aaron Wan-Bissaka 34. Martin Kelly 44. Jairo Riedewald 14. Chung-yong Lee 09. Alexander Sørloth 17. Christian Benteke

SUBSTITUTES 26. Tim Krul 02. Bruno 18. Connor Goldson 20. Solly March 11. Anthony Knockaert 09. Sam Baldock 16. Leonardo Ulloa

12 50

12 GOAL

74

FOULS

16

POSSESSION

50

OWN GOAL

RED CARD

YELLOW CARD

FIRST SUB

SECOND SUB

THIRD SUB

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Final Score

man of the match

5 shots, 3 on target, 2 goals

most duels – 6

asses - 4

most key p

75

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Final Score

watford

0-0

crystal palace

VICARAGE ROAD - 21ST APRIL 2018 - 20,401 Palace edged a point closer to safety as they claimed a goalless draw against Watford, in the proverbial game of two halves.

The woodwork was struck three times in the encounter, with Stefano Okaka heading onto the crossbar after only a matter of minutes during a first half that the hosts enjoyed the better of, but after the break Palace were much improved.

Just after the hour mark, Luka Milivojevic wrapped a freekick against the same piece of woodwork struck by Okaka, and following that Wilfried Zaha was controversially denied a penalty

after being brought down inside the box by Adrian Mariappa, but instead was booked for diving by referee Chris Kavanagh.

James Tomkins then went close when he met a Yohan Cabaye corner and saw his downward header bounce off the turf and onto the post with Orestis Karnezis scrambling across his line, and Troy Deeney managed to hoof the ball away in the nick of time with Mamadou Sakho primed to fire it home, ensuring that both teams settled for a point and stretched Palace’s unbeaten run to three games.

KARNEZIS CATHCART

KABASELE

CAPOUE

DOUCOURE

MARIAPPA

Javi Gracia

HUGHES

roy hodgson

I CANNOT BE FRUSTRATED AS I SEE THE EFFORT OF MY PLAYERS. I’M VERY PROUD OF THEM. THE FIRST HALF WAS ONE OF OUR BEST FIRST HALVES THIS SEASON

WE CAME IN AT HALF TIME HANGING ON AND WE WERE RATHER LUCKY. FORTUNATELY THE PLAYERS SORTED THEMSELVES OUT AND SECOND HALF PERFORMANCE WAS SO MUCH BETTER

PEREYRA DEENEY

OKAKA

ZAHA

TOWNSEND

LOFTUS-CHEEK

VAN AANHOLT

HOLEBAS

McARTHUR CABAYE

MILIVOJEVIC

SAKHO

TOMKINS

WARD

HENNESSEY

14

SHOTS

06

WATFORD

CRYSTAL PALACE

04

SHOTS ON TARGET

01

04

CORNERS

03

357

TOTAL PASSES

341

FOULS

13

POSSESSION

48

SUBSTITUTES 01. Heurelho Gomes 02. Daryl Janmaat 03. Miguel Britos 21. Kiko Femenía 11. Richarlison 17. Jerome Sinclair 18. Andre Gray

SUBSTITUTES 01. Julian Speroni 29. Aaron Wan-Bissaka 34. Martin Kelly 44. Jairo Riedewald 14. Chung-yong Lee 09. Alexander Sørloth 17. Christian Benteke

17 52

12 GOAL

76

OWN GOAL

RED CARD

YELLOW CARD

FIRST SUB

SECOND SUB

THIRD SUB

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Final Score

man of the match

most clearances - 18

5

d 10.4km

nce covere

most dista

Beat passing accuracy

- 87%

77

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Final Score

t

crystal palace

2-1

millwall

COPERS COPE ROAD, BECKENHAM - 21ST APRIL 2018

Palace: Luthra, Ossai, Matthews, Trehy, Russell, Hanson, Boateng, Malcolm, Pierrick, Street, Robertson. Subs not used: Russell, Addy, Gurung, Donkin, Gonzalez.

Two first-half goals from Sean Robertson helped Palace’s academy side round off their regular season with a battling victory over rivals Millwall, despite playing with 10 men for the entire second half.

The opening goal came after just 12 minutes when Brandon Pierrick, on his full under-18 debut, did well to beat his man down the right but saw a cross blocked, before a second opportunity allowed him to pick out Robertson who placed the ball in the back of the net with a composed finish from six yards.

And then 14 minutes later, Robertson had his second. Pierrick and David Boateng combined to play him in behind the defence, and the winger again finished superbly to register his fifth of the campaign.

But the Lions hit back instantly by reducing the deficit within 60 seconds when George Alexander drove home a half-volley after a cross from the right eluded Tariq Ossai, leaving Rohan Luthra with no chance in the Eagles goal.

78

Things were then made harder for the hosts when an off-the-ball incident saw debutant Cian Trehy shown a straight red card, and that flashpoint saw the game find an edge with strong challenges going in, but Palace went into the break leading their south London neighbours.

The second half was played with less intensity but Paddy McCarthy’s team defended resolutely, however Luthra was forced to save with his feet before the rebound fell to a Lion, only for Drew Matthews to make a goal-saving block.

Despite severe pressure towards the end, Palace could have increased their lead and Robertson nearly had a hat-trick but saw efforts saved, whilst Pierrick was also denied by the goalkeeper.

With time ticking away, the hosts weathered the storm from Millwall to hold on to a fine victory in the final league game of the season, allowing the southern section champions to stretch their unbeaten run to 10 games.

Date

Opposition

H/A

12/08/17

Sheffield Wednesday

A

Result D 1-1

19/08/17

Leeds United

H

W 4-1

26/08/17

Birmingham City

A

D 2-2

02/09/17

Bolton Wanderers

H

D 0-0

09/09/17

Huddersfield Town

A

W 4-0

22/09/17

Charlton Athletic

H

W 4-1

30/09/17

Coventry City

H

W 3-0

07/10/17

Queens Park Rangers

A

W 2-1

21/10/17

Millwall

A

L 2-3

26/10/17

Cardiff City

H

W 3-1

04/11/17

Ipswich Town

H

W 3-0

11/11/17

Colchester United

A

W 2-0

18/11/17

Barnsley

H

W 4-1

25/11/17

Bristol City

A

W 2-1

02/12/17

Watford

H

L 0-2

21/12/17

Coventry City

A

W 3-2

13/01/18

Cardiff City

A

L 0-1

27/01/18

Ipswich Town

A

D 2-2

03/02/18

Charlton Athletic

A

L 0-1

10/02/18

Bristol City

H

D 0-0

17/02/18

Queens Park Rangers

H

W 3-1

24/02/18

Watford

A

W 3-0

10/03/18

Hull City

A

W 3-2

17/03/18

Crewe Alexandra

H

W 5-0

24/03/18

Burnley

A

D 1-1

29/03/18

Colchester United

H

W 2-1

07/04/18

Sheffield United

H

D 2-2

14/04/18

Nottingham Forest

A

D 1-1

21/04/18

Millwall

H

W 2-1

Pos

Team

P

Pts

01

Crystal Palace

29

59

02

Charlton Athletic

29

55

03

Cardiff City

28

48

04

Watford

28

38

05

Millwall

29

47

06

Queens Park Rangers

28

38

07

Bristol City

29

31

08

Ipswich Town

29

27

09

Colchester United

29

22

10

Coventry City

29

10

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Final Score

crystal palace

2-2

BIRMINGHAM CITY

BECKENHAM TRAINING GROUND - 23RD APRIL 2018 Date

Opposition

H/A

Result

14/08/17

Burnley

H

W 2-0

21/08/17

Bolton Wanderers

A

W 2-0

29/08/17

Nottingham Forest

H

L 1-2

04/09/17

Sheffield United

H

L 0-1

11/09/17

Sheffield Wednesday

H

L 0-1

15/09/17

Leeds United

A

W 3-0

25/09/17

Bristol City

A

W 3-1

06/10/17

Millwall

A

L 1-2

16/10/17

Ipswich Town

A

W 1-0

23/10/17

Coventry City

H

L 3-4

13/11/17

Watford

H

W 3-1

20/11/17

Colchester United

H

W 4-1

27/11/17

Queens Park Rangers

A

W 3-0

11/12/17

Cardiff City

A

W 4-2

18/12/17

Bristol City

H

W 4-0

08/01/18

Ipswich Town

H

D 2-2

15/01/18

Coventry City

A

L 1-6

29/01/18

Watford

A

W 3-1

05/02/18

Charlton Athletic

H

W 2-1

12/02/18

Colchester United

A

W 4-1

19/02/18

Queens Park Rangers

H

W 3-0

05/03/18

Millwall

H

L 0-1

13/03/18

Cardiff City

H

W 4-0

23/03/18

Barnsley

A

D 0-0

27/03/18

Charlton Athletic

A

W 3-2

06/04/18

Huddersfield Town

H

W 2-1

16/04/18

Crewe Alexandra

A

W 4-0

19/03/18

Hull City

H

W 3-0

23/04/18

Birmingham City

H

D 2-2

Pos

Team

P

Pts

01

Crystal Palace

29

60

02

Charlton Athletic

29

48

03

Ipswich Town

29

44

04

Watford

28

38

05

Queens Park Rangers

28

38

06

Colchester United

28

37

07

Millwall

29

37

08

Coventry City

28

36

09

Cardiff City

29

35

10

Bristol City

28

23

Palace: Tupper, Mitchell, Bryon, Brown, Souare, McGregor, Dreher (Boateng 46), Robertson (Schlupp 63), Flanagan, Hungbo (Sørloth 63), Daly Subs not used: Curtis-Henry, Baxter.

James Daly scored an injury-time equaliser as the development side stretched their unbeaten run to seven games to build momentum heading into their Professional Development League play-off semi-final next week.

The Eagles started the brighter of the two teams and were rewarded on eight minutes when Kian Flanagan whipped in a corner for Lewis Bryon to fire a bullet header past Rihards Matrevics in the Birmingham goal, but the lead was only maintained when Sean Robertson cleared a shot off the line, before Joe Tupper saved the follow-up.

Birmingham grew into the game in the latter stages of the first half, and on the stroke of half-time Remeao Hutton found space down the right before crossing for Kyle McFarlane to sweep home, and their energy continued after the restart as Steve Seddon hit the bar just seconds into the half.

In a quest for first-team match fitness, Jeffrey Schlupp and Alexander Sørloth were introduced shortly after the hour-

mark and the latter was involved almost instantly when he saw a goalbound effort tipped wide by Matrevics, and then two minutes later the January signing was put through on goal but his shot drifted agonisingly wide of the far post.

Chances continued to fall for both sides and the Blues almost took the lead with 20 minutes to play but Tupper denied Charlie Lakin one-on-one before Schlupp saw a 25-yard half-volley fly inches wide of the far post.

On 85 minutes the visitors looked to have won the game when they netted a second goal against the run of play, when Corey O’Keeffe made strides down the right before crossing for Francis Amartey to poke the ball into the back of the net and turn the game on its head.

Palace were not done though, and in stoppage-time David Boateng saw his initial shot well saved by Matrevics, but the prolific Daly crashed the ball into the roof of the net to score his ninth goal in his last 12 under-23 games and earn Palace a share of the spoils.

79

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Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Final Score

CRYSTAL PALACE

2-0

c&K BASILDON

HAYES LANE, BROMLEY - 15TH APRIL 2018 Date

Opposition

H/A

Result

20/08/17

Queens Park Rangers

H

W 9-0

27/08/17

Chichester City

A

W 4-2

10/09/17

Swindon Town

A

W 7-0

17/09/17

Coventry United

H

D 0-0

20/09/17

Lewes

A

L 0-1

01/10/17

Portsmouth

H

W 2-0

08/10/17

Charlton Athletic

A

L 0-1

11/10/17

Lewes

H

W 3-0

05/11/17

Gillingham

A

W 1-0

12/11/17

Chichester City

H

W 4-1

26/11/17

Cardiff City

H

W 2-0

17/12/17

West Ham United

A

W 2-0

14/01/18

Gillingham

H

W 2-0

28/01/18

C&K Basildon

A

L 0-1

04/02/18

West Ham United

H

D 0-0

25/02/18

Queens Park Rangers

A

W 2-1

06/05/18

Swindon Town

H

W 8-1

25/03/18

Portsmouth

A

W 4-0

08/04/18

Cardiff City

A

W 5-2

15/04/18

C&K Basildon

H

W 2-0

13/05/18

Charlton Athletic

H

TBA

Coventry United

A

Pos

Team

P

GD

01

Crystal Palace

20

47

Pts 47

02

C&K Basildon

19

25

46

03

Charlton Athletic

17

54

45

04

Lewes

18

14

35

05

Portsmouth

19

5

31

06

Coventry United

15

27

26

07

West Ham United

20

10

26

08

Chichester City

17

5

25

09

Gillingham

19

-15

17

10

Cardiff City

20

-21

16

11

Queens Park Rangers

17

-49

8

12

Swindon Town

21

-102

0

Palace Ladies moved another step closer to claiming the Women’s Premier League trophy by winning this top of the table encounter against fellow title chasers C&K Basildon in Bromley.

From the first minute, the predicted physical encounter was clear to see.

With tackles aplenty, some not for the faint-hearted, it was the visitors who took the early initiative with the lion’s share of possession. Palace were forced to defend deep but were resilient, despite a number of corners and free-kicks that could have troubled Megan Lynch in the Palace goal.

At times, the hosts appeared frustrated by the tactics employed against them, but slowly came into the half. The Palace effort was rewarded in the 42nd minute when Pam McRoberts hit a low drive across the box which was turned in

by Ellie Bailes to score at a crucial time for the Eagles.

With the lead in their pocket, Palace started the second half in a far more positive mood, but with tackles and tactics

still dictating the flow of the game, there were only rare glimpses of quality.

However, Dean Davenport’s team appeared to extend their grip on proceedings, aided by some outstanding fitness levels, and during this period Ellie Stenning went closest to scoring when she slid in to meet an exquisite pass across the six-yard box from Gemma Bryan, only to see her goalbound effort miraculously saved by the keeper.

Bryan was at it again in the 85th minute when she reacted fastest to a through-ball, and was brought down just inside the area. Dusting herself down, she fired home from the spot, adding to her incredible tally for the season and making the game safe for Palace.

They almost grabbed a third late on when Ciara Sherwood crashed a shot from 20 yards off the underside of the bar, but a late sending off for the visitors ended Basildon’s resilience and saw Palace claim their fifth win in a row to keep up the pressure on their rivals for the league title.

81

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Seasonal Statistics

SEASONAL STATISTICS

63% B E S T D U E L S U C C E S S R AT E

101

2281 2811

MOST MINUTES PLAYED

2870

MOST CROSSES (OPEN PLAY) TOP SCORERS LUKA MILIVOJEVIC

01.

WILFRIED ZAHA

02.

03.

JAMES M©ARTHUR

3

7

MOST ASSISTS ANDROS TOWNSEND

01.

02.

03.

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK

420 7

2

5

6

MOST AERIAL CHALLENGES WON

MOST BOOKINGS

82

OVERALL DISCIPLINE

0 67

10

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Seasonal Statistics

1969

ACTION ZONES

MOST TOUCHES

30% 43% 27%

DEFENSIVE THIRD

MIDDLE THIRD

ATTACKING THIRD

GOAL TYPES Open Play

16

Set Piece

10

Penalty

7

Own Goal

1

Counter-Attack

2

86% B E S T TA C K L E S U C C E S S R AT E

AT TA C K S I D E S

39% left

27% middle

AVERAGE POSSESSION

AT TA C K

34% right

goals scored

36

shots on target

135

shots off target

177

shots blocked

125

hit woodwork

7

shooting accuracy

43%

DEFENCE

43%

goals conceded

54

shots faced

446

shots on target faced

172

shots blocked

108

clean sheets

7

tackle success rate

65%

83

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Fixtures & Results

Sat 19 Aug

Liverpool

3pm

A

0-1

53,138

19

Tue 22 Aug

Ipswich Town

7.30pm

H

2-1

9,837

CC R2

Sat 26 Aug

Swansea City

3pm

H

0-2

23,477

19

Sun 10 Sep

Burnley

1.30pm

A

0-1

18,862

20

Sat 16 Sep

Southampton

12.30pm

H

0-1

24,199

20

Tue 19 Sep

Huddersfield Town

7.45pm

H

1-0

6,607

CC R3

Sat 23 Sep

Manchester City

3pm

A

0-5

53,526

20

Sat 30 Sep

Manchester United

3pm

A

0-4

75,118

20

Sat 14 Oct

Chelsea

3pm

H

2-1

25,480

20

Sat 21 Oct

Newcastle United

3pm

A

0-1

52,251

20

Tue 24 Oct

Bristol City

7.45pm

A

1-4

21,901

CC R4

Sat 28 Oct

West Ham United

3pm

H

2-2

25,242

20

Sun 5 Nov

Tottenham Hotspur

12pm

A

0-1

65,270

20

Sat 18 Nov

Everton

3pm

H

2-2

25,526

20

Sat 25 Nov

Stoke City

3pm

H

2-1

23,723

20

Tue 28 Nov

Brighton & Hove Albion

7.45pm

A

0-0

29,889

20

Sat 2 Dec

West Bromwich Albion

3pm

A

0-0

23,531

18

Sat 9 Dec

Bournemouth

3pm

H

2-2

24,823

18

Tue 12 Dec

Watford

8pm

H

2-1

23,566

18

Sat 16 Dec

Leicester City

12.30pm

A

3-0

31,081

14

Sat 23 Dec

Swansea City

3pm

A

1-1

20,354

16

Thu 28 Dec

Arsenal

8pm

H

2-3

25,762

16

Sun 31 Dec

Manchester City

12pm

H

0-0

25,804

17

ALEXANDER SØRLOTH

ANDROS TOWNSEND

WILFRIED ZAHA

MAMADOU SAKHO

WAYNE HENNESSEY

CHUNG-YONG LEE

JEFFREY SCHLUPP

DIEGO CAVALIERI

19

RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK

POS

25,448

YOHAN CABAYE

ATT

0-3

SCOTT DANN

RESULT

H

JAMES TOMKINS

H/A

3pm

LUKA MILIVOJEVIC

KICK-OFF

PATRICK VAN AANHOLT

OPPOSITION Huddersfield Town

JOEL WARD

DATE Sat 12 Aug

JULIAN SPERONI

FIXTURES & RESULTS 01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

1

1

1 1

1

1

7.45pm

A

2-1

28,411

14

7.45pm

A

1-2

14,507

FA R3

Sat 13 Jan

Burnley

3pm

H

1-0

24,696

12

Sat 20 Jan

Arsenal

3pm

A

1-4

59,386

13

Tue 30 Jan

West Ham United

7.45pm

A

1-1

56,911

13

Sun 4 Feb

Newcastle United

2.15pm

H

1-1

25,746

13

1 1

1

Sat 10 Feb

Everton

3pm

A

1-3

39,139

15

Sun 25 Feb

Tottenham Hotspur

12pm

H

0-1

25,287

17

Mon 5 Mar

Manchester United

8pm

H

2-3

25,840

18

1

Sat 10 Mar

Chelsea

5.30pm

A

1-2

40,800

18

1

Sat 17 Mar

Huddersfield Town

3pm

A

2-0

23,918

16

1

Liverpool

12.30pm

H

1-2

25,807

17

Bournemouth

3pm

A

2-2

10,730

17

1

Brighton & Hove Albion

3pm

H

3-2

24,656

16

0-0

20,401

15

Watford

3pm

A

Sat 28 Apr

Leicester City

3pm

H

Sat 5 May

Stoke City

12.30pm

A

3pm

H

Sun 13 May West Bromwich Albion

2017/18 Games

Home Fixture

Away Fixture

Cup Fixture

Palace Career Games

1

1 1

13

18

2017/18 Goals Palace Career Goals

84

1

1

Sat 21 Apr

1

1

Southampton Brighton & Hove Albion

Sat 14 Apr

1

1

Mon 8 Jan

Sat 7 Apr

1

1

Tue 2 Jan

Sat 31 Mar

1

403

2

26(3) 33(1) 26(1) 17(1) 27(4) 19(3) 2

10

3

1

204

40

48

54

136 106

22

4

4

12

6

15

1

4

1 10

4

34(2) 25(1) 16(1) 2

7

1

76

284

25

5

41

1

26

3(5) 24(1) 101

103

48 2

41

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Fixtures & Results

Landmarks

BAKARY SAKO

DAMIEN DELANEY

JASON LOKILO

AARON WAN-BISSAKA

DION-CURTIS HENRY

KESHI ANDERSON

ERDAL RAKIP

LEVI LUMEKA

JAROSLAW JACH

MARTIN KELLY

MICHAEL PHILLIPS

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

31

32

33

34

35

JAIRO RIEDEWALD

SULLAY KAIKAI

19

JASON PUNCHEON

TIMOTHY FOSU-MENSAH

18

NYA KIRBY

PAPE SOUARE

17

JAMES DALY

JORDON MUTCH

- Unused Sub 1 - Goal(s) scored

CONNOR WICKHAM

- Used Sub

FREDDIE LADAPO

- Started match

JAMES McARTHUR

- Red Card

CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

- Yellow Card

36

37

42

44

REFEREE Moss Friend

2

Davies Marriner Oliver Madley 1

Probert Swarbrick Dean Marriner

If he plays today, then James Tomkins will make his 50th appearance in the Premier League for the Eagles. He has scored six goals in that time.

Attwell 1

Robinson Madley Friend

1

Taylor Dean Marriner Oliver Friend

1 1

1

Mason

1

Atkinson Pawson Oliver Moss

1

Attwell 1

Marriner

1

Should he feature this afternoon and next week at Stoke City, then James McArthur will reach 250 English league games.

Oliver Kavanagh

1

Swarbrick Marriner Moss Friend Swarbrick Taylor Dean Marriner Moss Marriner Kavanagh

24(4) 26(6) 0(2) 2

5

68

127

19

14

0(3) 19(5) 2(2) 7(12) 2(2)

1

6

0(2)

16(2)

8(4) 7(8)

1

6

2

103

161

1

16

6 2

34 9

40

58

24

9

50

193

1

8

7

15

If Luka Milivojevic also plays in both of those encounters, then he will complete a half-century of Palace games. All-but one have come in the Premier League.

85

Crystal Palace v Leicester City // Premier League

POS

CLUB

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

PTS

1

Manchester City

32

29

3

2

98

25

73

90

2

Manchester United

32

23

5

6

65

26

39

74

3

Liverpool

33

20

11

4

80

37

43

71

4

Tottenham Hotspur

32

20

8

6

66

31

35

68

5

Chelsea

32

19

6

9

59

34

25

63

6

Arsenal

32

17

6

11

66

46

20

57

7

Burnley

32

14

11

10

35

32

3

53

8

Leicester City

32

12

9

14

40

54

-14

45

9

Everton

33

11

11

12

49

47

2

44

10

Newcastle United

32

11

8

15

35

43

-8

41

11

Bournemouth

33

9

11

15

41

58

-17

38

12

Watford

33

10

8

17

42

60

-18

38

13

Brighton & Hove Albion

32

8

12

14

32

47

-15

36

14

West Ham United

32

8

11

16

36

54

-18

35

15

Swansea City

32

8

11

15

42

63

-21

35

16

Huddersfield Town

33

9

8

17

27

54

-27

35

17

Crystal Palace

33

8

9

17

27

51

-24

33

18

Southampton

32

5

14

15

33

53

-20

29

19

Stoke City

33

6

11

18

32

65

-33

29

20

West Bromwich Albion

33

4

13

18

29

54

-25

25

TOP SCORERS

MOST ASSISTS

1. Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

31

1. Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City

15

2. Harry Kane

Tottenham Hotspur

26

2. Leroy Sané

Manchester City

12

3. Sergio Agüero

Manchester City

21

3. David Silva

Manchester City

11

4. Raheem Sterling

Manchester City

18

=4. Dele Alli

Tottenham Hotspur

10

5. Jamie Vardy

Leicester City

17

=4. Paul Pogba

Manchester United

10

6. Romelu Lukaku

Manchester United

16

6. Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Arsenal

9

86

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES (3pm unless stated) MATCHWEEK 36 SATURDAY 28TH APRIL Liverpool v Stoke (12.30pm) Burnley v Brighton Crystal Palace v Leicester Huddersfield v Everton Newcastle v West Brom Southampton v Bournemouth Swansea v Chelsea (5.30pm) SUNDAY 29TH APRIL West Ham v Man City (2.15pm) Man Utd v Arsenal (4.30pm) MONDAY 30TH APRIL West Ham v Stoke (8pm) TUESDAY 17TH APRIL Tottenham v Watford (8pm) MATCHWEEK 37 FRIDAY 4TH MAY Brighton v Man Utd (8pm) SATURDAY 5TH MAY Stoke v Crystal Palace (12.30pm) Bournemouth v Swansea Leicester v West Ham Watford v Newcastle West Brom v Tottenham Everton v Southampton (5.30pm) SUNDAY 6TH MAY Man City v Huddersfield (1.30pm) Arsenal v Burnley (4.30pm) Chelsea v Liverpool (4.30pm) TUESDAY 8TH MAY Swansea v Southampton (7.45pm) WEDNESDAY 9TH MAY Chelsea v Huddersfield (7.45pm) Leicester v Arsenal (7.45pm) Man City v Brighton (8pm) Tottenham v Newcastle (8pm) THURSDAY 10TH MAY West Ham v Man Utd (7.45pm)

All stats in this programme are correct up to 26/04/18.

PREMIER LEAGUE

AD-228x170-PL-Official App.indd 1

03/08/2017 23:13

(GK) Julián SPERONI Joel WARD Patrick VAN AANHOLT Luka MILIVOJEVIC James TOMKINS Scott DANN Yohan CABAYE Ruben LOFTUS-CHEEK Alexander SØRLOTH Andros TOWNSEND Wilfried ZAHA Mamadou SAKHO (GK) Wayne HENNESSEY Chung-yong LEE Jeffrey SCHLUPP (GK) Diego CAVALIERI Christian BENTEKE James McARTHUR Connor WICKHAM Pape SOUARÉ Timothy FOSU-MENSAH Bakary SAKO Damien DELANEY Jason LOKILO Aaron WAN-BISSAKA (GK) Dion-Curtis HENRY Erdal RAKIP Levi LUMEKA Jaroslaw JACH Martin KELLY Nya KIRBY James DALY (C) Jason PUNCHEON Jairo RIEDEWALD

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 21 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 42 44

01 02 03 05 06 07 08 09 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 25 26 28 29 30 32 33 34 38

TODAY'S MATCH OFFICIALS:

Kasper SCHMEICHEL (GK) Danny SIMPSON Ben CHILWELL Wes MORGAN (C) Robert HUTH Demarai GRAY Kelechi IHEANACHO Jamie VARDY Marc ALBRIGHTON Ben HAMER (GK) Adrien SILVA Harry MAGUIRE Aleksandar DRAGOVIC Eldin JAKUPOVIC (GK) Daniel AMARTEY Shinji OKAZAKI Vicente IBORRA Matty JAMES Wilfred NDIDI Riyad MAHREZ Christian FUCHS Yohan BENALOUANE George THOMAS Harvey BARNES Fousseni DIABATÉ Josh KNIGHT Hamza CHOUDHURY

Referee M. Dean Assistants I. Hussin D. Robathan Fourth Official N. Swarbrick

TODAY’S MATCH SPONSORS:

Next: Home Match

West Bromwich Albion Sunday 13th May 2018 Kick-off: 3pm Next: Away Match

Stoke city Saturday 5th May 2018 Kick-off: 12.30pm