Crystal Palace v Manchester United matchday programme

Crystal Palace v Manchester United Wednesday 3rd March 2021 // 8:15pm

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Directors Steve Parish, Chairman David Blitzer Joshua Harris Chief Executive Phil Alexander Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin

palace √ manchester united

Sporting Director

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Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell

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Head of Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning

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luka milivojevic

Scott Guyett

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steve parish

Dr. Zaf Iqbal

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darren ambrose

Academy Director

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junior eagles

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Daniel storey

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gary phillips

Head of Medical

Gary Issott Director of U23 Development Mark Bright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott

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Commercial Director Barry Webber Operations Director Sharon Lacey Head of Consumer Sales Mike Pink Head of Ticketing Dan Clarke Head of Legal David Nichol Head of Content & Production

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James Woodroof Head of CRM & Campaigns Tom McGuiness Editor Ben Mountain Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas Contributors Dan Blazer, Will Robinson, Ian King, Daniel Storey, Darren Ambrose, Tash Stephens Photography Neil Everitt, Seb Frej, Reuters, Pinnacle, Rex Features Printer Bishops Printers

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palace for life

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1990/91 season

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paddy m©carthy

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hannah churchill

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fixtures & results

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premier league

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official matchday programme

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I would suggest that an aspirational finish to this season is not unrealistic

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elcome to Ole Gunnar Solskjær,

those victories and draws we fought for

his staff and players and good

from the first day of the season have taken

evening to each of you reading

us very close to our primary goal of safety. It

this. I hope you are well.

If further proof or a greater example that

would be naive to suggest this aim has been secured, of course – after all, football can

football can change in an instant was ever

change in an instant – however we are able

required, last week’s game against Brighton

to train and play with less of the pressure

& Hove Albion certainly provided it. The

that battling for breathing space carries.

feeling that victory over a fierce competitor

We still have mathematical safety as a

in such circumstances can deliver is one of

milestone to reach but, with desire and a little

this sport’s most compelling attributes.

good fortune, I hope that will be achieved

But plenty has already been said

sooner rather than later. At the time of writing,

regarding the Brighton result by me, the

we were one victory away from moving above

players and, I’m sure, by each of you. So

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal and

I shall look forwards instead. We faced

not far behind Aston Villa in eighth. So I would

Fulham over the weekend – before which

suggest that an aspirational finish to this

these notes were printed – and now host a

season is not unrealistic.

side at the opposite end of the table.

Even when they haven’t been pushing to

Today, we play our eighth match in 36 days and continue to compete with a

claim the title in recent seasons, Manchester

reduced squad. The fixture schedule this

United have been a powerful opponent. They

season has undoubtedly taken its toll on us

are a club of immense size and heritage and

and other teams in this league, but hopefully

Ole is doing a commendable job by upholding

following the weekend we will benefit from

their playing standards and leading them to

more evenly spread matches and, of course,

compete for the positions we are perhaps

a short break later this month.

most accustomed to seeing them in.

These factors made our win at Old Trafford last September all the more rewarding. Now, over five months later,

By that point, I hope to have regained most of our absent players and look forward to a determined final few weeks.

In the meantime, enjoy the game.

The manager

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Every team is very determined in this league, but when you play sides at the top and bottom you face maybe your biggest tests

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e are near the end of a very busy

against West Brom, that means attacking with

time for us, playing nine matches in

our talented players. Sometimes, like against

40 days against some difficult teams.

Brighton, it means playing with fight and spirit

I write this before we play Fulham

because our Manchester United game was

and taking our chances when they come.

Whatever way we play our game, we do it

moved midweek at short notice. So, I am only

determined to collect points for our fans, ensure

hoping the lads played like we know we can

Crystal Palace is a Premier League club in the

and fought for another result to be proud of

next season and to keep pushing up the table to

for our fans.

compete with the best sides in the country.

If anything shows the challenge of the

The fixture schedule makes this season

Premier League, and how difficult it can be to

a challenge, of course. After how busy

keep playing football in it, it is that in just four

Christmas is, you can normally look forward

days we play Fulham and Manchester United

to a more normal run of matches in January

at opposite ends of the table but that both

and February before pushing hard for the final

games are big, big challenges. Every team

few weeks. This season, we do not get this as

is very determined in this league, but when

much – playing six games in January, five in

you play sides at the top and bottom you face

February and we still have 12 matches to play.

maybe your biggest tests. Fulham are fighting

Nothing shows the new challenge this

for their survival as a top-flight club and

has created more than our Manchester

Manchester United are fighting to challenge

United game changing just 12 days before.

for the title against their local rivals. These are

We must adapt to this, keep fighting and

two of the best reasons to play well.

benefit from a more settled schedule after

Fulham and Manchester United might be

this weekend, when hopefully some of the

separated by lots of league places, but we

lads will be back in our squad and we will be

are facing a test of similar size in both. What

nearer full strength again.

we have to do in every game against every team is to play how we know best and play to our strengths. Sometimes, like in our game

Before then, we must push to do the double against Manchester United.

Make some noise!

The captain

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hank you for buying this matchday programme, and welcome to the players, staff and directors of

Manchester United to Selhurst Park tonight.

To meet print and post deadlines, I am penning these notes before the Fulham match – which fittingly was Roy’s 150th game in charge. I know Roy isn’t one to dwell too much on statistics given the extraordinary duration and breadth of his managerial career, but it is a milestone worth

there is a huge amount of planning and work in the background around the squad and ground improvements

acknowledging as he has unquestionably overseen a period of stability for the club.

We will make an announcement next

The circumstances we have played under

week on refunds for all Season Ticket

have not been the easiest but as I write it’s

holders, and renewal options for next

worth noting that - thus far - Roy has steered

season. I’d like to personally thank each and

us to the joint-highest points total at this

every supporter who committed this season

stage of a Premier League season.

during these unprecedented times, and I

This week’s announcement on the roadmap out of the current lockdown and back to a normal life I’m sure was welcomed

cannot wait for the day that you are back at Selhurst in full force.

Today’s opponents are flying high in

by you all. At the ripe old age of 55 I will be

the league, but our players will have the

having my vaccine soon (at Selhurst) having

fantastic win at Old Trafford earlier this

had COVID myself over Christmas. The

season fresh in their minds, much like you

sooner we are all vaccinated, the sooner

all, I am sure. That victory was a historic

normal life will be upon us.

occasion to start the season with and will no

I am also hugely excited by the prospect of welcoming you all back to Selhurst from the start of next season – it

doubt stand out as one of its highlights by the time we reach May. We are still a way from confirming our

has been a long time coming. There are

place in the PL for next season, but rest

talks with the PL about amending the date

assured there is a huge amount of planning

of our penultimate game of this season –

and work in the background around the

home to Arsenal in mid-May - to enable

squad and ground improvements, more of

supporters to attend. Naturally, we are fully

which we will hopefully be able to speak to

supportive of this, as it could mean that

you about in the coming weeks.

several thousand Season Ticket holders could join us. Having just 2,000 back for the

Wherever you are in the world today – enjoy the game, and stay safe.

Spurs match made such a difference to the players, and if approved it is likely that this

Up the Palace.

number could be at least trebled.

The chairman

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When football’s most gracious players hang up their boots, the sport appears to release its finest figures. In his first full interview since retiring, Yohan Cabaye tells Will Robinson that the truth is quite different – where football has lost a captivating talent, it has gained a similarly engaging mind.

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t’s clear from the outset that when it comes to football – and to life in general –

Yohan Cabaye is a thinker. The Frenchman, who retired last week after a 17-year career at the top of European football, has a deep understanding of the game that he now wants to utilise.

He discusses his preferred role in midfield, and initially the answer is formulaic football-speak – “I have no preference as long as I’m on the field.” But, after a short pause, the enthusiasm creeps into his voice. His boots on the peg, Cabaye can open up.

“Both roles are really interesting,” he begins. “If I’m in deep midfield I can play from the back and touch the ball a lot of the time, but if I play further forward I can be around the box and try to find an assist. To be most effective, I try to…” And we’re away.

This passion is why Cabaye has no intention of stepping back from the game that has dominated his every waking hour for almost 30 years. “I will love football all my life; that’s why I want to focus as quickly as I can on my future.”

Ever considered, the Frenchman sought advice from retired teammates before announcing his decision. “The good advice for me was just: ‘Okay, it’s your decision,’” he says. “‘Don’t go far away from football. Try to stay inside, to be as involved as

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I will love football all my life; that’s why I want to focus as quickly as I can on my future

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you can because when you move away from football for a certain time it’s hard to come back.’

“That’s why I want to do courses, like coaching licences.

There’s a school in France to be a sports director that I’m interested in. I’m excited to learn about how to develop a football club’s philosophy from the Academy to the youth teams to the senior players.

“It’s something I’m really excited about – I hope for the next two years to try and learn and to get my degree, and then hopefully work in a football club.”

Cabaye’s eagerness to get started comes in no small part from his obsession with the game Football Manager, which he has played religiously from a young age.

While most players like to switch off after a day’s training, Cabaye starts pondering individual regimes for his promising virtual youngsters.

“I played that game since I was 12 or 13. I think that’s why I’m excited to learn this new role, because Football Manager is still just a game.”

But what if it becomes reality – won’t the game become something of a busman’s holiday? Cabaye pauses, laughs bashfully and admits: “I’ll still play!”

If this obsession paints a picture of a man with an interest in football and nothing else, it shouldn’t. Cabaye sees retirement as an opportunity to – in his words – “live a life that is fantastic to live.”

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“Skiing, for example,” he says. “I’ve been to the mountains but without skiing because I couldn’t [dangerous sports are often banned in players’ contracts], and I don’t know how to.

“It’s also the details. Around a game, you have to sleep, you have to be careful of what you eat and everything. Now if I need to do something, I can do it at night… and I enjoy time with the kids before. If I need to work on something, I can do it later. That kind of detail for me, that’s the main thing compared to when I was playing.”

It’s clear that Cabaye sees retirement as a chance to open his surroundings; with a sense of opportunity rather than foreboding. “I want to do things that before I couldn’t: I want to learn to play golf, I want to learn another language… I want to travel also, when the situation is better. I will travel to discover the world.”

This last point has a particular emphasis for the 35-year-old, whose grandmother came from Vietnam.

“I will organise a trip to Vietnam for sure,” he says. “I want to see that country, I want to discover the culture even if my grandma gave me some things from there. Vietnam will be one of the first countries I will go to when possible.”

If his retirement plans are in-part encouraged by his grandmother, his playing career took inspiration from his father, who was a promising footballer before sustaining a career-ending injury at 17.

“He broke his leg and at that time in the 1970s it wasn’t like it is now, so it was hard for him to keep playing. It was a motivational source for me, to try and do what he couldn’t. I kept that in mind… to be strong and go forward every time it was difficult. He was proud of what I have done and that’s something that makes me really happy.

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“I just worked when I was young as hard as I could just to have that career. For me, without any work, it’s just impossible to be at the highest level for more than 15 years.”

Rather astutely, Cabaye identifies the problem retired footballers often find: the transition from a highly disciplined lifestyle to one with little formal routine.

“When you play, when you wake up in the morning to go to the training ground, you know everything you’ve got to do. You’ve got someone to say: ‘you have to go there, you go and do this, you have the game at the weekend.’ When you stop, you have to organise yourself, and that’s the most important part: for your brain to be active.

“When you finish, you have to keep the mentality to be focused on what you do, and try to have success in what you do.”

But it would be remiss to constantly look forwards, when Cabaye’s career provided so much joy in the past. He looks back fondly: “I will miss the gamedays – it’s something special. You work all week for that special day.

From the travel to the stadium when you walk up to the dressing room and you can see your shirt on the wall, and just to share something with the fans is special. The atmosphere in the dressing room I will miss.”

Cabaye’s introduction to English football could not have gone much better: arriving at Newcastle United and inspiring the team to a Champions League push, missing out in the season’s final weeks to finish fifth.

He remembers Newcastle with great fondness, even when quizzed on rows over set-pieces with Joey Barton – “I don’t remember that argument, he was very good with me!” – and Joe Kinnear’s infamous interview, in which he was referred to as

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I will miss the gamedays – it’s something special. You work all week for that special day

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‘Yohan Kebab’ – “I remember

“The team is still in the Premier League, and that

that, my teammates were always

is something the club deserve. I’m happy I was a

joking with me.”

player that could help the team and the football club

His only small regret is the breakdown of a potential move to Arsenal: “When I was young, in France we had English football because of Arsène Wenger,” he

to stay in the Premier League. I had three fantastic years there.”

Now it’s all over, Cabaye ponders what wisdom he might have wanted to know as a young man.

“Enjoy every moment,” he says, “because time

says, “and Thierry Henry, Patrick

is flying and your career goes fast. Don’t regret

Vieira, Robert Pires, Sylvain

anything – just work as hard as you can and be the

Wiltord. So of course, when I was

best you can. That’s it.”

growing up, Arsenal was the team to watch.

“When I had the small chance to go there, it was something special for me. Unfortunately it didn’t work.”

The alternative - Paris SaintGermain - wasn’t bad, however, and after a spell in the French capital Cabaye arrived in south London as Palace’s record signing, a tag he ignored.

“I didn’t think about it when I signed, I was just excited to be back in the Premier League and to play again for Alan Pardew. The first six months were fantastic: we were

Enjoy every moment, because time is flying and your career goes fast. Don’t regret anything – just work as hard as you can and be the best you can. That’s it

fifth just before Boxing Day.” After scoring on his debut, Cabaye helped Palace reach Wembley and the FA Cup final, a memory he still holds dear. The fans rewarded him

Yohan Cabaye is a thinker. But most importantly,

with a song to the tune of Afroman’s

he’s a fan. He loves to talk football, and he has never

Because I Got High. He sniggers when

seen or learned enough. As our conversation draws

he remembers first hearing it.

to a close, he says goodbye – but then jumps back

“I was laughing. I thought: ‘Wow, this is why English fans are the best. To find a song like this?

They are the best fans!’

in, this time with question for us, and that childlike enthusiasm returns to his voice.

“Will you be watching the game tonight?” And, once again, we’re away…

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new balls, please

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copers cope

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NATURAL CAFFEINE ZERO SUGAR HYDRATION ENERGY official matchday programme now available countrywide

for SPORT

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Club legend Darren Ambrose has gone from the squad list on the back page to guest columnist. The Eagles icon brings you his opinions, insight and untold stories throughout the 2020/21 season.

darren ambrose

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riting my own column for a Palace match against Manchester United.

Focusing on that is too easy, isn’t it? So, for one programme only, I won’t be discussing a certain long-range goal from 2011. Instead, I’ve picked out five alternative favourites for the club.

When I was a little child playing football with my dad, we’d concentrate on striking the ball and hitting the target. I used to live in Harlow, Essex, and around the back of my home was a leisure centre. I’d strike at it from distance – hitting it over and over. The staff doing aerobics and trampolining and the like would come out and tell me to move.

Eventually they got the council to build a kick-wall so that I’d stop doing it. I would stand 35 yards out and practise with one ball, missing the wall constantly until I hit it 10, 15, 20 times in a row. I developed my aim that way. Everyone loves to see and score spectacular goals and that was always my intention. More often than not it didn’t work, but you don’t remember those that fly over or wide.

However, when you’re playing, the eyecatching efforts don’t mean as much. It’s your job – you’re going out there to win. Instead, it means more when you retire. A lot of footballers are remembered by the trophies they won and, when that isn’t the case, it means a lot that players like myself are remembered for the goals. When you end your career, you look back and think: ‘Actually, I should have enjoyed those moments more.’

But I’m glad I can look back and savour them today. So, here they are…

5. Brighton & Hove Albion (A), 2011 This was the easiest and closest goal I’ve scored.

The reason it’s among my favourites is obvious: it was against Brighton. This was the first game they

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lost at the Amex and we were the ones to beat them. I was getting a lot of stick from their fans while on the bench but I came on at 1-0 down and we ended up winning 3-1. Mine was the second goal, so I always wound up Glenn Murray about his being the consolation, mine the winner.

4. Preston North End (H), 2010 I played Dannsy in and he beat his man, got down the wing, whipped one across towards my feet and the defender sliced it right up in the air. I think I was about 12 yards out and I volleyed the ball at goal. It hit the bar, came off the line, hit the bar again and then went down and back off the bar a third time.

It’s not one many people will remember, but when I was 18 I scored for Ipswich against Brighton by hitting the bar three times and everyone said I would never score a goal like that again. When I did it for Palace, it took me back.

3. Watford (H), 2010 I’d been injured for a while and came back into the team for this game. Watford were on the attack and we nicked the ball from them. Owen Garvan ran out and hit them on the counter, trying to play James Vaughan in. His pass hit a defender and the ball came to me 25 yards out; I put it on my right foot and bent it into the top corner.

It’s one of those goals that, for a right-footed player, you always want to score – it was the perfect angle. Garvs tries to claim an assist for that one, but I’m not having it.

2. Aston Villa (H), 2010 I tried to steer away from the obvious but couldn’t for these last two, starting with the Aston Villa free-kick. I wasn’t going to shoot at first but Clint

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Hill said: ‘Look, I can’t really be bothered to get in the box. Just have a strike.’ It’s one of those areas on the pitch where you don’t know what to do: should you dink it to the back post or should you play it short and get the game moving? At a full Selhurst in the FA Cup, I thought: ‘Let’s have a dig.’

It’s one of those goals I’m remembered for at Crystal Palace, along with the obvious.

Premier League side, Brad Friedel in goal – it was special for me.

1. Sheffield Wednesday (A), 2010

The reason it’s among my favourites is obvious: it was against Brighton

This is up there with the most important goals I’ve scored. I had a shot cleared off the line in the last minute of the game before against West Brom and I was gutted. I went in to the Survival Sunday game praying for just one chance. If I had that one chance I was confident I could score.

When Scanns got down the wing, he knew I’d be arriving late so he could cut it back. When he did just that, the only thought in my mind was to connect.

I could have had two that day, of course.

Everyone says to me: ‘You must have been fuming in the dressing room – what do you think of Stern John?’ What I think is that Stern was brilliant and we were good friends.

He had a shot in the dying seconds when I was better placed and available, but we never once discussed it. Forwards want goals – it’s why they play as forwards and what he did is what most would have done.

Most importantly, scoring against Sheffield Wednesday that day allowed the club to stay up, get taken over and climb to where it is today. Of all the goals – yes, even that one – that makes me proudest.

darren ambrose

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Quizzes, Games & MORE! Junior EAgles

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Schools In Focus Palace for Life ran virtual skills sessions for Wildcats participants during the February half-term, with usual holiday courses unable to run due to current restrictions. Wildcats is the Foundation’s girls’ football participation programme, funded by the FA, and is usually delivered at local schools and weekend hubs.

The virtual sessions had over 30 participants joining from home, and were led by Palace for Life Foundation officers and coaches, with the children practising a variety of skills, as well as participating in an interactive quiz and a scavenger hunt!

sessions to happen more often.

Lucy, whose daughter took part in the

Of the participants, 100% said they

session, said: ‘Thank you for organising the

enjoyed the session, 89.5% would attend

half-term session last week, which my

another and 73.7% said they want these

daughter really enjoyed.’

Guess who

Badge jumble

Can you guess the four players from today’s

Can you work out four of Darren Ambrose’s

opponents in the below face mash-up?

previous clubs from the mixed-up badges?

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wordsearch

spot the difference

Can you find the six hidden football-themed

Can you find the five differences in these

words below?

two Palace pictures?

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Six words to find:

United, Martial, Zaha, Pardew, Devils, Coppell.

Now make a sentence that includes all of the words you’ve found!

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answers Townsend missing 5 Strip on Bissouma's shorts wrong colour shorts missing 3 Boot on Bissouma wrong colour 4 PUMA logo on 1 Palace badge missing on Mitchell 2 Number on Townsend's Athletic 3 Newcastle United 4 Birmingham City Spot The Difference: 4 Bruno Fernandes Badge Jumble: 1 Ipswich Town 2 Charlton

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Guess Who: 1 Marcus Rashford 2 David de Gea 3 Harry Maguire C

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manchest match preview Crystal Palace made history when they defeated Manchester United at Old Trafford last year. The 3-1 victory was the Eagles’ first league win in M16 since 1989. After that, the Red Devils took two months to climb into the top 10. Once they made it, they never left – and Palace face a very different opponent this evening than they did in September.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men are tasked with closing a significant gap between themselves and the seemingly unstoppable Manchester City. Should they manage it, the Premier League title could be theirs for the first time in eight seasons.

It’s a big if, but there are few more compelling motivations.

That means the Eagles open Selhurst to the league’s highestscoring side in impressive form and take on a team boasting recent 9-0 and 4-0 scorelines. That said, Palace can take faith not only from their triumph in 20/21, but also United’s recent build-up of draws: taking just a single point in four of their last eight league games.

Inspired by United memories, Darren Ambrose has selected his alternative favourite Palace goals on page 26!

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Ole Gunnar Solskjær:

We can't control any other team.

We've just got to control ourselves and be the best possible Man United in every single game. That's the demands recent outings

3-1

w {h) 21.02.21

0-4

w {a) 18.02.21

1-1

d {h) 14.02.21

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ter utd premier league wins

all-timers Ryan Giggs

407

Paul Scholes

321

Gary Neville

256

Wayne Rooney

250

183

Ryan Giggs

109

Paul Scholes

107

Ruud van Nistelrooy

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premier league goals

Wayne Rooney

last time out 26 27 02 03 29 31 17 21 18 11 09

Henderson Telles Lindelöf Bailly Wan-Bissaka Matic Fred James Fernandes Greenwood Martial

0-0 26

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03

02

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opposition

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player profile

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Age

30

Height

1.92m

Joined

29th June, 2011

Debut

7th August, 2011 v Manchester City

PREVIOUS CLUB: Atlético Madrid

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David de Gea POSITION: GOALKEEPER NATIONALITY: SPAIN

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Spain goalkeeper De Gea has been a mainstay of the United lineup since 2013/14, truly establishing himself after two earlier seasons during which the No.1 developed into one of the world’s most respected shot stoppers.

Victor Lindelöf

Eric Bailly

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: SWEDEN

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: IVORY COAST

Today, he has represented

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United far more than any contemporary teammate and is in his 10th season of near-total dominance between the sticks.

336 apps 121 clean sheets official matchday programme

Harry Maguire

Luke Shaw

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

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37

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Alex Telles

Axel Tuanzebe

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: BRAZIL

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

06

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100 apps 33 clean sheets

29 08 Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Paul Pogba

Juan Mata

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: FRANCE

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: SPAIN

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

player profile

Palace Academy graduate Wan-Bissaka made his name in

Age

23

Height

1.83m

with the first-team during a 2018

Joined

29th June, 2019

back from professional football

Debut

11th August, 2019 v Chelsea

south London when competing injury crisis. He never stepped from that point and went on to notch 46 Palace appearances.

Wan-Bissaka has been similarly ever-present for United since joining in 2019,

PREVIOUS CLUB:

even scoring twice this season

Crystal Palace

– including his first Premier League goal.

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17

21

Fred

Daniel James

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: BRAZIL

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: WALES

31

39 apps 23 wins

18 34

Donny van de Beek

Bruno Fernandes

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: SERBIA

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: NETHERLANDS

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL

player profile

Nemanja Matic

Perhaps the most impactful

Age

26

Height

1.79m

history, Fernandes hit the

Joined

30th January, 2020

January 2020. In just 39 league

Debut

1st February, 2020 v Wolves

signing in recent Premier League ground running after signing in appearances, the midfielder has netted 23 times and claimed 17 assists – a goal involvement more than once every game.

Form like this has earned

PARENT CLUBS:

Fernandes four Premier League

Novara, Udinese, Sampdoria & Sporting CP

Player of the Month awards and the 2019/20 Sir Matt Busby POTY.

official matchday programme

10

player profile

39

Age

23

Height

1.8m

Joined

Academy – aged seven

Debut

25th February, 2016 v F.C. Midtjylland

AWARDS IN 2020: PL Academy Graduate of the Year, PFA Community Champion, Europa League Squad of the Season, Man Utd Goal of the Season, PFA Merit Award, FIFA Foundation Award, The Guardian Footballer of the Year, FWA Tribute Award, FIFPro Merit Award, GQ Campaigner Of The Year, BBC Sports Personality of the Year Expert Panel Special Award.

39

Marcus Rashford POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

07

Perhaps praised more for his off- than on-pitch work in recent months, Rashford has sustained a remarkable standard for United all while upholding his commendable, MBE-earning campaigning.

The frontman is close to

Scott M©Tominay

Edinson Cavani

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: SCOTLAND

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: URUGUAY

bagging his record goal tally

09

in all competitions for a single season despite having three months left to play and scooped

26

a remarkable collection of awards in 2020, including United’s Goal of the Season.

167 apps 53 goals

Anthony Martial

Mason Greenwood

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: FRANCE

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

opposition

40

17

23

clyne

shaw

player comparison

Age 29

position Defender

nationality eng

Age 25

position Defender

nationality eng

apps

Clean sheets

Tackles

apps

Clean sheets

Tackles

303

Assists

Through balls

Interceptions

Last man tackles

48

12

9

177

3

%

% 69%

176

Tackle success

Interceptions

Through balls

Last man tackles

488

55

Assists

Tackle success

198

11

15

official matchday programme

294

6

72%

41

#08

#31

Kouyaté

Matic

player comparison

Age 31

position Midfielder

nationality SEN

Age 32

position Midfielder

nationality SRB

apps

goals

Assists

apps

goals

Assists

Crosses

Tackle success

Interceptions

Aerial battles won

Clearances

19

Clearances

6

Aerial battles won

220

Interceptions

10

Tackle success

14

Crosses

217

107

65%

323

606

483

93

68%

353

356

408

opposition

42

officialLOCK matchday programme

EXPLODE

PLAY

43

Palace have won two of their last three league meetings with Manchester United (L1), as many as they had in their previous 27 against them

31

United have never lost in 11 Premier League away games against Palace, the most one side has played at another without ever losing in the competition (W8 D3)

39 2

1

season so far

29

53

GOALS

228 359 SHOTS

21

41

43

32

EXPECTED GOALS

GOALS CONCEDED

40

12

56

AVERAGE POSSESSION %

37

28

EXPECTED GOALS AGAINST

14

4

SHOT CONVERSION RATE %

22

POINTS GAINED AFTER TRAILING

4

8

CLEAN SHEETS

9

7

POINTS DROPPED AFTER LEADING

goal times time

SCORED

CONCEDED

time

SCORED

CONCEDED

0-15

7

9

0-15

3

7

16-30

6

7

16-30

10

4

31-45

3

3

31-45

9

7

46-60

4

7

46-60

5

4

61-75

4

5

61-75

13

4

76-90

5

12

76-90

13

6

opposition

44

what’s the storey @danielstorey85

space and force them to break through, but home opponents are often tempted to play on the front foot and inadvertently leave themselves exposed.

That offers the key to success, something West Brom

Solskjær has fielded his team in a 4-2-3-1 (or slight variation) in every single Premier League match

demonstrated well recently.

Columnist Daniel Storey can be

If you attack United early

his team in a 4-2-3-1 (or slight

heard on The Totally Football Show

and manage to score swiftly

variation) in every single Premier

and seen in the Irish Examiner, the

(as Ole Gunnar Solskjær's

League match.

i paper and many more.

side have done regularly this

Flying high on the road

The lineup is just as easy to

season), you can then drop

predict. Six United players start

back and defend your lead.

almost every game for which

Of course it doesn’t always

they are fit: David de Gea in goal,

work (and takes plenty of good

Harry Maguire at centre-back,

Not only do Manchester United

fortune). As well as boasting

Luke Shaw and former Palace

have the best away record in the

the best away record, United

defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Premier League (2.33 points per

are also experts in taking

as full-backs, two of Scott

game), but only Lincoln City can

points from losing positions.

McTominay, Fred and Nemanja

beat it across England’s top five

That says as much about their

Matić in midfield (Paul Pogba is

professional leagues. Leicester

slow starts as their eventual

injured), Bruno Fernandes as the

City, Liverpool, Arsenal and West

recovery, but it ends in one

central point of the three behind

Bromwich Albion - there ends

conclusion: you cannot afford

a centre forward and Marcus

the list of clubs who have taken

to switch off against this team.

Rashford on the left.

more than 13 months since they

Knowing what to expect

now a fixture in the team as

lost an away league match.

Unlike, say, Manchester City,

for debate are the central striker

players and fans alike should

(Edinson Cavani or Martial)

obvious. United are far more

not expect any great surprises

and the right-sided forward -

dangerous when they are

in United’s approach. Solskjær

Greenwood, Daniel James or,

allowed to play on the counter-

experimented with three at the

occasionally, Juan Mata.

attack, often picking a front

back on occasion last season

three that must be among the

(against City and Chelsea) but

Solskjær is whether United will

quickest in the world: Marcus

that seemed like an attempt

be more prone to fatigue late

Rashford, Mason Greenwood

to replicate the shape of their

in the season than those clubs

and Anthony Martial. This

high-profile opponents rather

around them. He has picked

trio are frustrated by deep-

than a proactive, long-term plan.

strong teams in the Europa

lying defences that close off

Since then, Solskjær has fielded

League and domestic cup

points off Manchester United on the road this season. It’s now

The reasons for that are

official matchday programme

In fact, with Victor Lindelöf well, the only two positions up

One of the questions for

45

competitions and very rarely rotates in the Premier League.

Might that make them open to pressure in the final 15 minutes?

Bruno Fernandes: difference-maker Fernandes is one of the most remarkable individual talents in the Premier League and is comfortable favourite for the PFA Player of the Year award. It is no surprise that United’s unbeaten away record in the league roughly coincides with his arrival.

The Portugal international’s dominance over United’s attack would be simply remarkable if he hadn’t done it so soon at a highprofile club with such attacking nothing short of astonishing. For the record, he leads Manchester United’s charts in goals, shots, chances created and assists.

To some extent, that has become self-fulfilling. Bruno is incredibly involved for a player in his position. Of the 15 Premier League men with the most touches this season, six are full-backs, three are centrebacks and five are deeper-lying central midfielders; Bruno is the exception. The more he touches the ball, the more danger he creates. The more danger he creates, the more Manchester United want him on the ball.

Set-piece salvation If Manchester United’s strengths are obvious, so too is their weakness. They have conceded 10 goals this season from set pieces, ‘beaten’ only by Sheffield United and Leeds United. But both of those two clubs have conceded more goals in total. Forty-eight percent of Manchester United’s conceded goals have come from set pieces; no team in the league comes close.

That should be deeply frustrating - and a little embarrassing - for Solskjær. Given the standard and height of his defenders and central midfielders, they should have cut the issue out by now. They are consistently slow to react to late runs and also fail to react quickly to second balls after winning the initial header. Had they conceded as few goals from set pieces as Manchester City (and only two teams have faced fewer corners than United), they really could be in the title race.

daniel storey

Statistics correct as of February 26th, 2021.

talent around him. As he has, it’s

146 LIVE GAMES 46

47

Questions linking Palace and today’s opponents that will test even the biggest Eagles fan. Time to earn your ‘Palace Encyclopaedia’ nickname.

01

06 How many goals were scored in the

Paul McShane started his career under Sir

first-half of the 1990 FA Cup final that

Alex Ferguson at Manchester United but from

ended 3-3 between Manchester United

which club did the Eagles sign the defender

and Crystal Palace?

on loan from?

02 Ian Wright famously only made the

07 Wilfried Zaha returned to south London on

bench before coming on and scoring

loan from the red half of Manchester for the

twice in that final. But who did the

2014/15 season. He scored on his ‘second

striker replace after 69 minutes?

debut’ against who?

03 To date, Zeki Fryers has played for three

08 Former Palace and Red Devils striker,

Premier League clubs: Manchester United,

Fraizer Campbell, currently plays for which

Crystal Palace and who else?

04 Which former Millwall, Arsenal, Leeds United

Championship side?

09 If you added Ray Wilkins’ and Fraizer

and Tottenham Hotspur manager played for

Campbell’s England caps together, what

both Palace and United?

number would you arrive at?

05 Former Crystal Palace loanee and

10

Manchester United player, Timothy

Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s one Premier League red

Fosu-Mensah, represents which country

card came whilst playing for Palace. Can you

at international level?

remember the opposition that day?

answers 6 Hull City 7 Newcastle United 8 Huddersfield Town 9 85 (84 Wikins, 1 Campbell) 10 Liverpool 1 2 (Gary O’Reilly and Bryan Robson) 2 Phil Barber 3 Tottenham Hotspur 4 George Graham 5 Netherlands opposition quiz

48

49

fantasy dinner party

David beckham -

Zinedine Zidane With Zidane and Beckham, we would be talking football for sure.

This week, recently retired Palace midfielder Yohan Cabaye doesn’t hold back – inviting some of football and the world’s true heavyweights.

Barack Obama For the charisma, and also what he did for his country. I’d just like to learn about him and how to be a leader, how to drive a country, how to drive people. For me, he’s a

abaye

very good example.

Pep Guardiola How he sees football, how he can change the philosophy, the way we play. How he thinks. To have some ideas about the way he prepares himself could be really interesting.

Jeff Bezos How can he think about developing his business like that? It’s unbelievable what he created. So just some advice from him about how to be a leader and how to develop something. To get ideas and to put everything in one big project.

fantasy dinner party

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51

Over the road at Copers Cope

Jack WellsMorrison Copers Cope Road is home to Palace’s firstteam Training Ground and, just a few steps down on the other side of the road, you’ll find the Eagles’ Category 1 Academy complex.

over the road at copers cope

52

E

very parent with a child who plays football understands the amount of time and commitment

required to support the hobby. It’s Saturday and Sunday mornings stood in a soggy park, cleaning the car each week and buying new-size boots every few months.

But, perhaps thankfully, that dedication has its boundaries – games end and have little impact on the future, weekdays go by uninterrupted and, eventually, watching football or sleeping off heavy nights supersedes participation anyway.

That isn’t the case for Academy parents. Instead, players such as Under18s midfielder Jack Wells-Morrison are accompanied by their fathers four to five days a week for a decade, with training and matches having an effect on career chances. At that level, the commitment and ability become so much that soggy pitches, muddy cars and pinching boots don’t just punctuate the week – they become it.

“It takes your life over,” says Ross, Jack’s father. He should know, with Jack joining Palace’s pre-Academy aged six. Even at that stage, although young footballers spend their time playing games rather than anything more intense, sessions fill four days a week.

Now 17, Jack has been part of Palace longer than most players and staff by several years. But his start to life in south London began with a twist of fate.

“I was at a Goals summer camp and Palace were running it,” Jack

official matchday programme

My whole football life, all I’ve ever known was Palace. I just gravitated towards them and have supported them ever since

53

explains, before Ross picks up. “He was

the stands at a prime time – citing Wilfried Zaha

with his cousins who are a bit older – so

as the player he first remembers, a mark of the

we said he was five when he wasn’t.

Ivorian’s lengthy service.

They said: ‘We want all the five-year-

“My mum and dad weren’t really big into

olds over to the left and the six-year-

football and their families supported different

olds to the right,’ and Jack just sat in

teams, so it [club affiliation] didn’t really impact

the middle. The guy said: ‘Well, how old

me. My whole football life, all I’ve ever known

are you?’

was Palace. I just gravitated towards them and

“‘I’m four.’ The coach said: ‘Go on – get over there with the five-year-olds.’

have supported them ever since.

“I have a Season Ticket with my mum and

They then came up to me and Jack’s

sit in the Main Stand – right opposite the away

mum and said they’d like him to come to

fans… I remember Zaha and the first game I

the pre-Academy [when old enough].”

went to was on my eighth birthday: we played

Today, Jack competes at the heart of Paddy McCarthy’s midfield with a

Watford and won 4-0 [in 2011/12]… I remember the loud atmosphere and exciting games.”

team of prospects largely assembled

Wells-Morrison is not alone in the current

in their infant years. “I remember the

crop of Under-18s to have represented Palace

dome at the National Sports Centre

for over a decade – with several teammates

– always being in there after school,

such as Jadan Raymond also scouted for the

playing football,” he says.

pre-Academy. With the Eagles fighting to win

“At Under-9s I was a striker and I

their division at the first time of asking, Jack

was quite small - good technically but

says the effect of this long-standing unity

not the biggest. I was quick and so they

enhances their dynamic – “you know everyone

moved me out to the wing. Then when

else’s games and what they’re going to bring.”

I started my growth spurt and got a bit

For his father, who has watched some of the

bigger I played left-back but was injured

lads from the day his son started but currently can’t

for a while through growing pains.

due to restrictions, there’s a similar sentiment:

“When they bring you back [from

“Watching the kids grow, you never know

injury], they put you in midfield so you’re

what they’re going to be like. To think Jack was

involved in everything – getting touches

going to be a central midfielder at six-foot tall, if

of the ball… It was never the plan to

you’d have seen him, he was the smallest of the

play midfield but it just happened. Now,

bunch but rapidly quick on the wing. We’ve seen

the position allows me to show all the

other children progress like that.

attributes I have best.”

Jack’s affinity with Palace spawned

“This is why I miss it so much – even watching training. Ten or 12 hours a week you’re

a connection that will stretch even

watching them play football and then you go to

beyond his playing days – leading the

nothing. It’s really tough.”

youngster to support the Eagles at

Muddy cars and soaking sidelines aside,

senior level as well as representing

nothing beats watching your son play football –

them as a junior. Jack began his life in

especially for his club of 10 years.

over the road at copers cope

Super draw Three amazing prizes to be won every match Help support Palace for Life Foundation

From £5 per month Search: Palace For Life Super Draw

55

From the club’s current or past employees to unsung heroes, people looking to make a difference to those who have found fame: south London is a special place to live, work and experience.

This week, Lead Academy Goalkeeping Coach, Gary Phillips, discusses Palace’s chances of producing a goalkeeping graduate and how the former manager handles one of the club’s most specialised roles.

Voices of south london

56

W

hen Gary Phillips began life in football,

look deep into the annals to find a ‘keeper. David Fry

he rubbed shoulders with Cyrille

was the last man to progress from Palace’s youth

Regis and Bryan Robson on a daily

to first-team, making his debut in 1978. Signed as a

basis. Aged just 18 at the foot of his 20-year

professional from Weymouth, even Fry is a dubious

career, Phillips couldn’t have been better placed

contender as an Academy graduate, although the

to start a journey that would lead to coaching at a

shot stopper did win the FA Youth Cup in ‘77 and ‘78.

Premier League club.

He would work under Ray Clemence and Bob

Having joined the club nine years ago, Phillips has come close to developing a rare goalkeeping

Wilson in future jobs and build a post-playing career

protege on occasion himself, but feels today’s crop

at teams across the country. It started, however,

has a better chance than any to make history.

with “you went in goal and they’d fire balls at you.”

The difference between Phillips’ formative

“It’s a massive patience game,” he says.

“You’ve got to realise the options are slimmer

years and today’s teenage ‘keepers’ is, he says,

than an outfield player - you can adapt as an

a “chasm”. Where Phillips competed with his

outfield player. As a goalkeeper, you’re playing for

generation’s greatest talents in a rudimentary, blunt

one position so you have to be very patient, very

drill, the developing players he leads enjoy specialist

resilient, mentally strong.

coaching, video analysis and round the clock provision in a full-time Academy set-up.

“The chasm from the ‘70s through to the

“We’ve got Owen Goodman and Joe Whitworth; completely different physical characters. Two terrific goalkeepers - we’ve

late 2000s is immense,” Phillips says, taking a

been very lucky. Joe has played for England on a

break from his role as Palace’s Lead Academy

number of occasions and they’ve also been very

Goalkeeping Coach. “They’re clever kids

interested in Owen [who has earned a national

nowadays so, with the onset of video work and

call-up since this interview was conducted].

analysis, it’s changed up so many gears. You

“Ollie Webber was on standby for the Northern

can rewind, see where you go wrong, check on

Ireland Under-21s and I’m hoping he gets some

training, technique. You can film yourself, play it

recognition [Webber also earned an international

back and work on things. The advantages for the

call-up shortly afterwards]. Jacob [Russell] has

modern-day goalkeeper are immense.”

gone on loan to Ramsgate, so it’s great for him to

The structure for Palace’s Academy ‘keepers

have men’s football. Rohan [Luthra] has gone out to

is comprehensive: two full-time and two part-time

Southpark as well, so they’re getting men’s football.

coaches, analysis through the age groups, sport

“It’s a lovely situation to be in - since I’ve

science, medical and psychological professionals

been here it’s the best crop of goalkeepers we’ve

and, of course, the influence of ex-Eagles

had. Fingers crossed, long may that continue and

Paddy McCarthy, Shaun Derry, Darren Powell,

we can push them on to eventually play football

Rob Quinn and Mark Bright, who has recently

for Crystal Palace.”

overseen loans for three developing glovesmen.

The Academy’s task is clear: to develop well-

Phillips’ role is particularly unique in that, for a Premier League side at least, a goalkeeper

rounded individuals with a path to first-team football.

often isn’t ready for senior football until they’re

But while this path has been well-trodden at Palace

too old for the Academy. It means talented young

- with 37 graduates in the last 16 years - you have to

shot stoppers frequently start their careers on

official matchday programme

57

loan or are forced to linger in the development system longer than their outfield peers.

“Experience does make a big difference to goalkeepers,” Phillips says, looking at Palace’s own crop. “You don’t see many goalkeepers making their debut before sort of 23/24-years-ofage now and we tend to go on a tad longer than most. It’s like a vintage wine - most goalkeepers get better in their career.

“You’d like to think at 27 as a goalkeeper you’re looking at an eight-year, hopefully 10-year, career from there [Phillips played until he was 44]. As an outfield player, you’d be happy to get to 32/33 and still be playing. Goalkeepers, we learn as we go and our game changes accordingly. As a coach, I’m trying to instil that into the younger guys now: you’re learning all the time and you’ll never stop learning as a goalkeeper.”

But while Phillips’ journey from a teenager peppered by Regis and Robson’s shooting practice to leading a team of Premier League coaches may have developed his perspective, time can seem to fade fast for a young man desperate to forge his footballing career.

“They are impatient,” Phillips explains. “They all want to play football and we try to get them as many minutes as we possibly can. There is a different mindset for goalkeepers, you have to realise you’re going to sit and wait. That patience issue is something they have to work on.”

Whether Palace alter history with a first Academy goalkeeper making his club debut since 1978 or not, Phillips and his team have handed a crop of aspiring footballers the chance to make their name and succeed in the sport under the best possible circumstances.

And, with Phillips moving from target practice to video analysis in his 40-year career, today’s aspiring ‘keepers have the sporting world at their feet, regardless of what happens on the pitch.

As a coach, I’m trying to instil that into the younger guys now: you’re learning all the time and you’ll never stop learning as a goalkeeper voices of south london

58

palace for life Palace for Life Foundation supplied 150 activity packs to local young people with special educational needs and disabilities throughout February.

Partnered with Access Sports, the packs were delivered throughout Croydon and south London and contained a variety of equipment and workbooks offering support to parents and carers in keeping their young people active during lockdown.

The packs were put together and delivered by Palace for Life coaches, and contain carefully selected equipment to best meet the needs of young people in our community, with two different packs being created. The first is a multi-sports pack, which contains the likes of cones, beanbags and soft

official matchday programme

It has never been more important for all of us to look after ourselves and those around us.

These great activity packs are full of multi sports and specially selected sensory equipment

59

sports equipment. The second is a specific sensory pack, designed to stimulate a child’s five senses. This pack includes equipment such as bean bags, hitting hands and a Bell Airflow Ball.

Speaking about the initiative, Palace for Life Deputy Head of Sports and Wellbeing and Disability Manager, Michael Harrington, said: “Palace for Life Foundation are delighted to have partnered with Access Sports to be able to help children and young people living with a disability in our local community. Together we are focused on giving these young people the chance to get fitter and have fun with their families during not only the lockdown but also the months ahead.

“It has never been more important for all of us to look after ourselves and those around us. These great activity packs, full of multi sports and specially selected sensory equipment, give everyone the chance to do that wherever they are.”

The packs have been delivered to five local specialist SEND schools, as well as Tweeddale Primary School, Fairchildes Primary School and Downsview Primary School to support their large cohort of SEND students.

The Foundation supports people of all ages living with a disability, including the delivery of powerchair, vision impairment, mental health and Down’s syndrome football sessions. The programmes help participants improve motor skills and physical fitness,

super draw Enter the Palace for Life Super Draw this month and support The Palace Kitchen. From just £5, you can win great Palace prizes or a cash jackpot of £1,400, with proceeds helping us to continue

as well as build their self-esteem and

to fight the impact of COVID-19

provide opportunities to interact with new

on our communities and people.

friends and the wider community all through Disability Sport.

For more information about Palace for Life SEND and disability programmes, please visit

Search: Palace For Life Super Draw

palaceforlife.org.

palace for life

GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk

61

game that changed my career A footballer’s debut is, understandably, usually the game that means the most to them; hard work rewarded and a dream achieved. However, that footballing bow doesn’t necessarily represent the 90 minutes that had the biggest impact on a player’s career.

2-1 Crystal Palace √ Watford 24th April, 2016 FA Cup

Throughout this season, we will be talking to past and present Eagles to find out which match has had the biggest bearing on their life.

This week, Connor Wickham picks out a memorable moment in his career and the life of

ickham

many Palace fans.

I’d say there are a couple of games I could pick, like the one for England on the final of the Under-17 European Championships, scoring the winner against Spain.

And then obviously the semi-final and the final of the FA Cup, but the semi-final more so because I scored and we won.

I can still see that goal from the semi-final, I can picture exactly how it happened.

game that changed my career

62 @pnm1979

official matchday programme

63

2009/10 The good, the bad and the ugly: Kit or Miss reviews those desirable gems, those best-forgotten strips and does a bit of market research for those of you looking to snap up some of the Eagles’ iconic shirts.

This week, Luka Milivojevic models the home kit from 2009/10.

kit or miss

64

2009 O n the face of it, this kit possibly shouldn’t go down as one of

Palace’s bests. The start of three

What we like:

consecutive seasons in simple red and

The benefit of Hillsborough aside, it’s a

blue stripes – preferable to some, plain

smart effort. Nike’s debut brought a smart

to others – the 09/10 Nike home shirt

colour pairing – even if a touch untraditional

worked against the odds.

– and a classy white trim along the collar.

Of course, historical context goes a long way to the fond feelings around this effort. Perhaps each of the club’s

Even better if:

undisputed sartorial successes – late

The white trim went a little further: perhaps

‘60s, early ‘70s, ’76, ’80, ’90 and ’97 – are

running along the hems or worked-in like the

all attached to enjoyable times: evoking

pinstripes of 19/20.

memories of promotion, top-flight football or triumphant cup runs.

So it’s no surprise that 09/10, a little dark to be the ‘correct’ red and blue, has stood the test of time. Think of all the Survival Sunday replays and the thousands who watched that afternoon – no kit of recent time has been so wrapped in nostalgic viewing.

Wore it best: Darren Ambrose.

Story of the season Along with the 1990 cup final and the fact Pete and Alice were once married in real life, the heroics of 09/10 is the

2010

most widely-told Palace story going.

We don’t mind reliving it, though.

Palace began well until administration shattered the club’s chances. A 10-point reduction as the Eagles chased promotion flung Palace to the wrong end of the table and, with Neil Warnock departing, the fight for survival began.

As everyone knows, that fight went right to the death as Palace lined-up to

sheffield wednesday √ Crystal Palace 2nd may 2010

face Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season. Avoid defeat and the south Londoners would stay up at the Owls’ expense. Lose, and Palace would enter the third-tier for the first time in 33 years with the club in disarray.

In phenomenal fashion, the 09/10 squad ensured safety with a dramatic 2-2 draw at Hillsborough, setting the club up for CPFC 2010’s takeover and the top-flight success enjoyed today.

The finest hour: A tough choice: Selhurst hosted 4-1, 3-0 and two 3-1 wins over Blackpool, Watford, Ipswich Town and Preston North End respectively. That said, we reckon Survival Sunday edges it.

Where are they now?

Nike’s involvement with Palace kits lasted until 11/12. They produced some smart efforts, including the 10/11 away sash, the 11/12 home kit – which nailed the colours – and the ‘Manchester United League Cup’ 11/12 away strip.

kit or miss

65

66

We’ve made the beer better.

Worth a try? Probably.

Carlsberg Danish Pilsner.

Rebrewed for a crisper taste.

67

Club Historian, Ian King, looks back at the 1990/91 campaign that saw a Wembley return and confirmed Palace, for one season at least, as the third-best club in the country.

1990/91 season

68

of chances in the second-half but with two minutes to go Wright collected a ball from John Salako and neatly lobbed the ‘keeper to set-up an area final with Norwich City.

The following evening, a Palace XI, in which Mark Dennis and Gary O’Reilly featured, registered a 6-0 victory over Chipstead in a friendly when the Chips’ new floodlights were officially switched on.

At Highfield Road on Saturday the Eagles suffered their second successive away defeat in a week at the hands of

T

Coventry City. It was no surprise as the club

hree days after Palace’s heavy

had not tasted success there since 1966,

defeat at Arsenal, Luton Town

but the manner must have worried Steve

came to Selhurst Park for the

Coppell, who said afterwards: “At every

Southern Area semi-final of the Zenith

part of the game they were our betters.”

Data Systems Cup on the evening of Tuesday, 26th February.

In the only change Eddie McGoldrick replaced Phil Barber and the winger opened the scoring after just two minutes by shooting through a crowded goalmouth.

The Hatters, who fielded Iain Dowie at centre-forward, equalised after a quarter of an hour and

Andy Thorn was back to bolster

in a first-half that resembled a battlefield,

the defence, allowing skipper Geoff

Eric Young accidentally struck John

Thomas to revert to his midfield role,

Humphrey in the face with his boot. Ian

while McGoldrick retained his place –

Wright added a second just before the

eventually going off with concussion

break with a Luton player knocked out

after 30 minutes to be replaced by

after colliding with Andy Gray in the

Barber. Two minutes later the Sky Blues

build-up. The Eagles frittered a number

opened the scoring with a goal that had

official matchday programme

69

made the most of their luck when Tim Sherwood headed the ball past Martyn. The secondhalf was an absorbing affair with both teams creating chances as the game ended all square with everything to play for in the second leg at Selhurst Park.

The following day the club announced that Swindon Town’s Wales international left-back Paul Bodin had joined for a reported £550,000.

GARETH SOUTHGATE a whiff of offside about it but, despite objections, still stood.

Three minutes after the break Young committed a foul 25 yards out that allowed City’s centre-half Brian Kilcline to crash a free-kick high and wide of Nigel Martyn and into the net.

Coventry remained in control and added a third midway through the second-half as Kilcline headed home from a corner, but when Wright netted two minutes from time, he sparked a frantic finale as Steve Ogrizovic in the City goal scrambled the ball away and Salako watched his effort kicked off the line. The final whistle brought a 3-1 defeat but Palace remained third as Leeds United also lost away.

With Young injured, Coppell handed a first starting role to Gareth Southgate for the ZDSC Southern Area Final first leg at Norwich City the following Tuesday evening and the 20-year-old

Joined from: Junior, signed professional January 1989 Debut: 9th October, 1990 v Southend United (A)

gave an accomplished performance despite only

Final Palace game:

knowing that he was playing an hour before kick-

14th May, 1995 v Newcastle United (A)

off. The Eagles grabbed the lead after 15 minutes

Left for:

when Thomas took Wright’s pass and followed it

Aston Villa - July, 1995

with a one-two off Mark Bright to slot home. Cries

Palace appearances:

of “We’re Going to Wem-ber-ley” broke out from the Palace fans in the 7,554 crowd.

After half an hour the Canaries were awarded a corner, instead of a throw-in, and

191 Palace goals: 22

1990/91 season

70

official matchday programme

71

we had some excellent individual performances and a real togetherness and desire to compete over 90+ minutes

W

e came away from a 2-0 win at

be difficult to get away from. That’s the reality

Fulham pleased with a really

of professional football at the highest level and

impressive result. We had some

that’s where these young men aspire to be.

excellent individual performances and a real

The small level of scrutiny and spotlight

togetherness and desire to compete over 90+

they received will only help their development.

minutes, but we knew we had a lot more work to

We relate that back to them: ‘This is a positive

do on the training field.

thing, you’re playing games that are high-stake

The Norwich match was crazy in many

week in, week out.’ They’re the ones who put

aspects. It was an excellent game for the neutral

themselves in the position where people want

to watch – 3-5. It was littered with mad moments;

to watch them, where people want to speak to

the good, the bad and the ugly from both teams.

them and about them. The reason people want

That’s really not like us and so we had a lot of

to do that is because of their performance and

frustrated lads in the changing room afterwards.

it’s important we strip it all back to help them

They’re understanding that, if you’re not at

understand that: affect what you can affect and

your best at this level, you’re going to fall short.

control what you can control.

When we beat Fulham, we didn’t start singing

Our structure and the Under-18s squad

and dancing and jumping around; that was the

are both commendable, but recently I singled

players’ mentality. After Norwich I made sure the

out Jesurun Rak-Sakyi for praise – he’s scored

lads weren’t too down on things either. It’s about

twice lately and travelled with the Under-23s,

maintaining perspective and balance.

too. I used Jes as an example for the rest of the

The players had the unique – and for many

players because he’s had to work really hard to

of them, new – experience of having their game

improve areas of his development and deal with

broadcast live via the club’s in-house media.

disappointments of not being in the team. He’s

Ultimately, I see that scrutiny and exposure as a

knuckled down and seen the fruits of his labour

positive. If these players are going to play in our

and I think that’s an example to all the young

first-team, the spotlight will be magnified 10-fold.

players we have here. Now, Jes has to maintain

It will be global, it will be everywhere and it will

that and keep focused.

paddy m©carthy

Hanna

72

official matchday programme

Churchil

73

it was mentally challenging but overcoming the injury was a bigger challenge than anything I came up against during the pandemic

I

started my senior football career playing

going to another club would provide that. I

for Kennesaw State University in Georgia. It

had a few friends at Palace who were really

was my childhood dream to go to the US and

enjoying it and I knew they had a good setup

play women’s soccer. At 18 I was lucky enough

to achieve with good players. Additionally, my

to get the opportunity and I spent just over five

former Charlton coach James Marrs had just

years there.

come in and I’d heard a lot about Dean.

Competing abroad completely changes

I spoke with Dean and thankfully he took me

you as a person and a player. At 18 I’d never left

on board. I’d pretty much reached fitness and

home before, then suddenly I was moving 3,000

was ready to play when I signed for Palace, but

miles across the Atlantic. It was quite difficult

just weeks later the pandemic hit. Then came

but I had an amazing support system there with

another five months out and I’d be lying if I said

an English coach and teammates who remain

that wasn’t difficult.

close friends to this day.

Your game changes physically because

I thought: ‘I’ve stuck to the goal of proving I can be a better player after my injury than before.

there’s such an athletic approach to football

I want to get into the starting XI and to play well.

in America. Although it’s changing now,

This is what I’m working towards. This is what

stereotypically English football has always been

I’ve been working towards for two years, so it

technical but not very athletic. Playing in America

would be a waste now to sit back and give up.’

teaches you to run faster and get stronger. Adding

It was hard and it was mentally challenging but

that to my game really enhanced it.

overcoming the injury was a bigger challenge

After moving back to England, I sustained an ACL injury while with Charlton Athletic that sidelined me for almost two years. At that

than anything I came up against during the pandemic. That’s what kept me ticking over.

Now, my drive has completely altered: I’ve

point, I really wasn’t enjoying football. I was

gone from not enjoying my football to really

considering quitting and thinking that football

enjoying it and playing consistently. It’s flipped

might not be for me anymore. I’d lost my drive,

a whole 180 degrees and I’m looking forward to

felt like I needed a new challenge and that

what lies ahead.

Hannah Churchill

74

First-team sponsors

Roy Hodgson

Joel Ward

2020/21

Patrick van Aanholt

Luka Milivojevic

James Tomkins

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL

PALACE DETECTIVES Proud supporters of CPSCC

01737 225 711 |

Sponsorship Available

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29/12/2017 09:17

Scott Dann

Cheikhou Kouyaté

Jordan Ayew

Andros Townsend

Wilfried Zaha

Mamadou Sakho

Wayne Hennessey

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Jeffrey Schlupp

James McArthur

James McCarthy

Michy Batshuayi

Gary Cahill

Eberechi Eze

Vicente Guaita

Martin Kelly

Nathan Ferguson

Jaïro Riedewald

Sponsorship Available

Christian Benteke

Sponsorship Available

Tyrick Mitchell

Sponsorship Available Contact liam.connery@cpfc.co.uk to discuss our player sponsorship packages.

official matchday programme

Sep

oct

nov

dec

jan

feb

mar

2-3

0-2 1-4 0-3 2-4 3-1

0-0 0-1 2-2 5-0

Blackburn Rovers

London Bees

Lewes

Durham

Leicester City

Sheffield United

Bristol City

Coventry United

London Bees

Liverpool

Lewes

London City Lionesses

Leicester City

Durham

Blackburn Rovers

London Bees

Leicester City

Liverpool

Charlton Athletic

Sheffield United

Coventry United

Sun 27

Sun 4

Wed 7

Sun 11

Sun 18

Sun 1

Thu 5

Sun 8

Thu 19

Sun 6

Sun 13

Sun 10

Thu 14

Sun 17

Sun 7

Sun 14

Sun 28

Sun 7

Thu 25

Sun 4

Sun 25

Lewes

1-1

London City Lionesses

Sat 12

0-1

2-0

0-4

6-1

2-1

4-1

2-2

Charlton Athletic

Sun 6

may Sun 2

apr

Sep oct nov JAN

dec FEB MAR APR

STATS

0-3 0-1 1-0 2-1 1-4 6-0

2-5 3-0 2-3 4-0 4-4 1-0

Norwich City Aston Villa Burnley Wolverhampton Wanderers Leeds United Reading Sunderland Stoke City Fulham Newcastle United Fulham Norwich City Aston Villa Burnley

Fri 25 Fri 2 Mon 19 Mon 26 Sun 1 Mon 9 Mon 23 Mon 30 Fri 4 Mon 21 Mon 18 Mon 1 Fri 5 Mon 15

West Ham United Southampton

Sat 20 Sat 3

Fri 7

Middlesbrough

Sat 8

Sat 17 Sat 1

Chelsea Tue 16

Middlesbrough

Reading

Sat 13

Mon 3

West Bromwich Albion

Sat 6

West Bromwich Albion

Brighton & Hove Albion

Tottenham Hotpsur

Aston Villa

Leicester City

Sat 27

Sat 24

Norwich City Sat 20

Newcastle United

Fulham

Sat 06

Mon 26

Arsenal Sat 30

Stoke City

3-5

Fulham Sat 16

Mon 12

2-0

Brighton & Hove Albion Sat 19

West Bromwich Albion

3-2

Fleetwood Town

Fri 11

Mon 29

4-1

Tottenham Hotpsur Sat 05

Sunderland

2-1

Aston Villa

Sat 28

Mon 22

1-2

West Ham United

Sat 7

Reading

1-5

Reading

Sat 31

Fri 12

2-1

Leicester City

Sat 24

Wolverhampton Wanderers

1-0

Norwich City

Sat 17

Leeds United

1-0

Chelsea

Fri 2

Mon 22

3-2

Arsenal

Sat 26

2-1

1-0

2-3

2-1

Southampton

Sat 19

Result

Opposition

Date

Mon 1

0-2

1-0

3-4

3-3

West Bromwich Albion

Mon 21

Result

Opposition

Date

Home Fixture Away Fixture Cup Fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first)

may

Sep oct Nov dec Jan feb MAR APR may

Result

Opposition

Date

75

May

April

March

February

January

December

November

October

September

Date

Opposition

Result

Position

Sat 12

Southampton

1-0

7th

Tue 15

Bournemouth

0-0

Sat 19

Manchester United

3-1

Sat 26

Everton

1-2

6th

Sat 3

Chelsea

0-4

12th

Sun 18

Brighton & Hove Albion

1-1

14th

Sat 24

Fulham

2-1

8th

Fri 30

Wolverhampton Wanderers

0-2

13th

Mon 8

Leeds United

4-1

8th

Mon 23

Burnley

0-1

11th

Fri 27

Newcastle United

0-2

15th

Sun 6

West Bromwich Albion

5-1

11th

Sun 13

Tottenham Hotspur

1-1

11th

Wed 16

West Ham United

1-1

12th

Sat 19

Liverpool

0-7

13th

Sat 26

Aston Villa

0-3

13th

Mon 28

Leicester City

1-1

13th

Sat 2

Sheffield United

2-0

14th

Fri 8

Wolverhampton Wanderers

0-1

R3

Thu 14

Arsenal

0-0

13th

Sun 17

Manchester City

0-4

13th

Tue 26

West Ham United

2-3

13th

Sat 30

Wolverhampton Wanderers

1-0

13th

Tue 2

Newcastle United

2-1

13th

Sat 6

Leeds United

0-2

13th

Sat 13

Burnley

0-3

14th

Mon 22

Brighton & Hove Albion

2-1

13th

Sun 28

Fulham

Wed 3

Manchester United

Sun 7

Tottenham Hotspur

Sat 13

West Bromwich Albion

Sat 3

Everton

Sat 10

Chelsea

Sat 17

Southampton

Sat 24

Leicester City

Sat 1

Manchester City

Sat 8

Sheffield United

Tue 11

Aston Villa

Sat 15

Arsenal

Sun 23

Liverpool

official matchday programme

(10-11)

R2 5th

Cheikhou Kouyaté

Card Red Card

Max Meyer

Yellow

Scott Dann

Goal(s)

James Tomkins

Unused Sub

Luka Milivojevic

Used Sub

Patrick van Aanholt

Started

Joel Ward

Home Fixture Away Fixture Cup Fixture - Palace score shown first.

Jack Butland

76

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Jordan Ayew Andros Townsend Wilfried Zaha Mamadou Sakho Wayne Hennessey Jean-Philippe Mateta Jeffrey Schlupp Nathaniel Clyne James McArthur Stephen Henderson Christian Benteke James McCarthy Michy Batshuayi Gary Cahill Eberechi Eze Tyrick Mitchell Vicente Guaita Jaroslaw Jach Martin Kelly Sam Woods Nathan Ferguson Nya Kirby Brandon Pierrick Jaïro Riedewald

77

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 27 31 33 34 35 36 37 40 44

Fixtures & results

78

Club

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD Pts

1

Manchester City

25

18

5

2

50

15

35

59

2

Manchester United

25

14

7

4

53

32

21

49

3

Leicester City

25

15

4

6

44

27

17

49

4

West Ham United

25

13

6

6

39

29

10

45

5

Chelsea

25

12

7

6

41

25

16

43

6

Liverpool

25

11

7

7

45

34

11

40

7

Everton

24

12

4

8

37

33

4

40

8

Aston Villa

23

11

3

9

37

26

11

36

9

Tottenham Hotspur

24

10

6

8

37

27

10

36

10

Leeds United

25

11

2

12

43

43

0

35

11

Arsenal

25

10

4

11

31

26

5

34

12

Wolverhampton Wanderers

25

9

6

10

26

32

-6

33

13

Crystal Palace

25

9

5

11

29

43

-14 32

14

Southampton

25

8

6

11

31

43

-12 30

15

Burnley

25

7

7

11

18

30

-12 28

16

Brighton & Hove Albion

25

5

11

9

26

32

-6

26

17

Newcastle United

25

7

4

14

26

43

-17

25

18

Fulham

25

4

10

11

21

32

-11

22

19

West Bromwich Albion

25

2

8

15

19

55 -36 14

20

Sheffield United

25

3

2

20

15

41

Gameweek 27

premier league

-26

11

All statistics correct as of 4pm Friday 26th February

burnley √ arsenal

liverpool √ fulham

6th March 12:30

7th March 14:00

sheffield utd √ southampton

man city √ man utd

6th March 15:00

7th March 16:30

aston villa √ wolves

tottenham √ crystal palace

6th March 17:30

7th March 19:15

brighton √ leicester

chelsea √ everton

6th March 20:00

8th March 18:00

west brom √ newcastle

west ham √ leeds

7th March 12:00

8th March 20:00

Crystal Palace and the rest of the Premier League will not tolerate racism, anywhere, and we are taking action to combat all forms of discrimination.

But we can all do more.

Challenge it, report it, change it, and together we can make a positive impact.

Visit premierleague.com/noroomforracism to find out more. #NoRoomForRacism

Challenge it.

Report it. Change it.

Crystal palace f.c.

(GK) Jack BUTLAND Joel WARD Patrick VAN AANHOLT Luka MILIVOJEVIC James TOMKINS Scott DANN Cheikhou KOUYATÉ Jordan AYEW Andros TOWNSEND Wilfried ZAHA Mamadou SAKHO (GK) Wayne HENNESSEY Jean-Philippe MATETA Jeffrey SCHLUPP Nathaniel CLYNE James MCARTHUR Christian BENTEKE Connor WICKHAM James MCCARTHY Michy BATSHUAYI Gary CAHILL Eberechi EZE Tyrick MITCHELL (GK) Vicente GUAITA Martin KELLY Nathan FERGUSON Jaïro RIEDEWALD

01 02 03 04 05 06 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 31 34 36 44

manchester united f.c.

Andre Marriner Scott Ledger Marc Perry Kevin Friend Mike Dean Stephen Child

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 13 17 18 19 21 22 23 26 27 29 31 33 34 38 39 74

David DE GEA (GK) Victor LINDELÖF Eric BAILLY Phil JONES Harry MAGUIRE Paul POGBA Edinson CAVANI Juan MATA Anthony MARTIAL Marcus RASHFORD Mason GREENWOOD Lee GRANT (GK) FRED Bruno FERNANDES Amad DIALLO Daniel JAMES Sergio ROMERO (GK) Luke SHAW Dean HENDERSON (GK) Alex TELLES Aaron WAN-BISSAKA Nemanja MATIC Brandon WILLIAMS Donny VAN DE BEEK Axel TUANZEBE Scott McTOMINAY Shola SHORETIRE