Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion matchday programme

Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion Saturday 13th March 2021 // 3pm

3

Directors Steve Parish, Chairman David Blitzer Joshua Harris Chief Executive Phil Alexander

palace √ West Bromwich Albion

Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director

13.03.21

Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell

4

Head of Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning

6

luka milivojevic

Scott Guyett

8

steve parish

Dr. Zaf Iqbal

25

darren ambrose

Academy Director

29

junior eagles

44

Daniel storey

55

PAUL CLEAL

Head of Medical

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

10

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

33

51

James Woodroof Head of CRM & Campaigns Tom McGuiness Editor Ben Mountain Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas, Stu Ellmer 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

58

palace for life

67

1990/91 season

70

gary issott

72

amber stobbs

75

fixtures & results

78

premier league

62 contents

4

official matchday programme

5

The win against Brighton was exceptionally welcome as our late goal turned the tables on them

W

elcome to Sam Allardyce, his staff

with every week. I have fond memories of my

and players and good afternoon

own time at West Bromwich Albion and our

to each of you reading this.

securing safety in 2011 is one of my prouder

After two bad results in early February,

accomplishments in English football. The

I have been really pleased with the way the

ownership has changed since my days there,

team has responded in the last three games

but I know West Brom are a club with solid

before Spurs, all of which presented as ones

management behind the scenes and that

that could have seen that bad run continue.

Sam Allardyce is well placed in undertaking

The win against Brighton was exceptionally welcome as our late goal

his current task.

As I have said previously, underestimating

turned the tables on them, especially as

a side based on their league standing is a

we lost two points to a similar late goal for

dangerous mistake – and it is one nobody at

Brighton in the home fixture five months ago.

Crystal Palace intends on making. We are

To follow up that victory with hard-fought points against Fulham and Manchester

aware of the threat West Brom will provide and of the drive being in their position demands.

United, two teams who are currently in top

Finally, it has been a great bonus to

form, has meant that our points return in the

welcome Wilf Zaha, Jeff Schlupp and Connor

last seven games has climbed to 11 and has

Wickham back into the fold and I entertain

made our table position more comfortable

high hopes that after the international

than it was previously.

break there will be further returnees. Every

However, with 10 games still to go there

team needs its regular players available

can be no room for complacency as the job

consistently and the fact that we have had so

is far from over. I am writing these notes

many missing during this seven-match spell

before the Spurs game so cannot comment on

speaks volumes for the effort, team discipline

anything that may have happened there.

and organisation which the boys have shown.

That brings me to our opposition today, who are proving a sterner and sterner test

Enjoy the game.

The manager

6

official matchday programme

7

The Tottenham game was my 150th appearance for this club, and I am very pleased to have reached this milestone with it

W

e have a chance today to get

being back to fitness as well as Jeffrey and

back to winning ways against

Connor staying part of the squad and I hope

West Bromwich Albion at our

we have one or two more of the lads back

home, Selhurst Park, after a disappointing defeat last week.

The boys and I were proud to find our form

while there are no fixtures for a short while.

Over the break, some of the boys will be representing their countries on international

again in the last few weeks with our win over

duty and I wish them good luck for success

Brighton and then by drawing with Fulham

on the pitch and to be safe off it. As you might

and Manchester United. These were both very

have seen I will not be travelling with Serbia

good results against some tough teams.

anymore, however, because I have chosen to

Then, when Christian scored at the end of

step back from international football. This has

the first-half against Tottenham, we all believed

not been an easy decision for me to make, but

we were close to getting some more points on

it is one that I feel was necessary and I have

the board against another challenging side.

explained why elsewhere.

But in the end Tottenham showed why they are

At 29, I still feel I have many years left

one of this country’s biggest clubs and their

in football, and will continue to focus fully

front three of Kane, Son and Bale are three of

on my career with Crystal Palace, starting

the best attackers in this whole league.

today against West Brom. The Tottenham

Of course we were frustrated by not

game was my 150th appearance for this

adding some points to our recent results, but

club, and I am very pleased to have reached

football is never the same and results always

this milestone with it. I am always proud to

change, especially in the Premier League.

wear the armband and pull on the shirt of

So we have even more motivation today:

Crystal Palace – to do this 150 times I think is

we must put this Spurs game behind us with

something to celebrate, and I hope to be able

a good performance, make sure we enter

to do it much more.

the break with a strong result and get even

It is not too long until we may be able to

closer to securing top-flight football in the next

see you in the stands again, but, until then,

season. To do that, we are boosted by Wilf

continue to make some noise!

The captain

8

official matchday programme

9

Everyone at the club is gearing up for your return, and I cannot wait for the day of a packed Selhurst Park again

T

hanks for buying this matchday

Away from first-team matters, our Under-

programme for our Premier League

18s secured an impressive 1-7 win at West Brom

fixture against West Bromwich Albion,

last weekend to stay top of the league. I was

and welcome to the players, staff and directors

delighted to spend time with David Omilabu

of today’s visitors.

and his family earlier this week, as David

Since my last notes, we secured an excellent point against Manchester United – one that was fully deserved. Defensively, Roy’s

signed his pro forms with us, off the back of an exceptional season. Congratulations, David!

Our U23s also secured an excellent victory

team were extremely solid, limiting United to

over Leeds United in a really entertaining

less than a handful of half chances, and we

match at the Academy, with Shaun Derry’s

created a number of good opportunities to win

men currently in fourth place. I’ve spoken of my

the game too.

pride about how our teams have adjusted to life

I think that the Spurs scoreline didn’t fairly reflect the match, and at half-time we were justifiably level after Christian’s magnificent

as an elite Academy on many occasions, and I’m so excited about what the future holds.

Hopefully you will have seen our Season

header. With Wilfried back in action from the

Ticket announcement for next season, following

break, there was hope of taking a point or more

the positive Government update and plans

from north London, but ultimately their finishing

for the phased easing of lockdown. Everyone

was simply too clinical.

at the club is gearing up for your return, and

Today offers a chance to get us back on

I cannot wait for the day of a packed Selhurst

track after a good run of results. We face a

Park again. We have frozen the prices of each

West Brom side that are fighting tooth and

phase at 19/20 rates, and also brought our direct

nail to stay in the Premier League, and have

debit option back in-house - with no associated

returned some exceptionally tight wins and

fees - to ensure supporters requiring this option

draws in recent weeks. We know exactly the

aren’t penalised financially. We appreciate your

challenge a Sam Allardyce team will present

patience and loyalty in the last year, and hope

us today, and it is of course a crucial game for

that you commit to the club once again in 21/22.

us too to help create further breathing room from the relegation zone.

Enjoy the game today wherever you are.

Up the Palace.

The chairman

10

When he’s at the centre of the action – even when putting the ball in the net – no one seems calmer than Christian Benteke. But off the pitch he has a lot to say, and explains to Will Robinson that, in the modern game, communication is key.

official matchday programme

11

main interview

12

w

hen Christian Benteke volleyed home in the 95th-minute at the

Amex, he not only secured his name in the headlines, but in Palace folklore, too. His goal will live on for decades – and yet curiously as the cameras flashed, the bench erupted and his teammates swarmed around him, he looked the calmest man on the pitch.

“I’m just someone who doesn’t show his emotions that much,” he explains, now the furore has (partly) died down. “I always keep my emotion inside of me. That’s just me; it’s just the way I am.”

For someone who expresses so little when celebrating on it, off the pitch Benteke is remarkably communicative – a trait which has served him well throughout his career. Growing up as part of a large Congolese community in Belgium, he spoke multiple languages as a child.

“It [our Congolese identity] affected everything we did at home,” Benteke says. “My mum speaks our own language to me, my brother and my sister, and now to my own kids as well. We ate Congolese, watched YouTube clips of Congolese music and movies.

It’s a big part for me.”

With stellar players like Claude Makélélé and Vincent Kompany also tracing their roots to the African nation, DR Congo is a country that has left a profound

official matchday programme

I always keep my emotion inside of me.

That’s just me; it’s just the way I am

13

mark on European football as well as a heritage Benteke shares with new Palace signing, JeanPhilippe Mateta.

“We have discussed it,” he says. “The fact is, I didn’t know him, but for example he knows where I come from in Belgium because he has family in the city next to mine. We are a big community, and most of the Congolese people know each other, or our parents know each other.”

Nonetheless, home for Benteke was firmly in Belgium, where his ambition was to play for Standard Liège – his local side.

However, unable to break into their first-team, he was brave enough to seek a move elsewhere.

“It was hard. Obviously I’m from Liège, so you want to succeed in your home town team,” he points out.

“I was young and at the time there were a lot of experienced players, so I said to myself: ‘You will have more chances somewhere else.’

“Genk had a reputation of giving chances to young players, so I went there and managed to become a better player. But then I wanted to go back and succeed in my home town team. As a young player it is not easy, but at the time when I came back for the second time I was like: ‘I’m ready.’”

But success in Belgium was not enough for Benteke if he was to follow the career path of his idol. “Thierry Henry,” he bursts

main interview

14

official matchday programme

15

out enthusiastically, before we can even finish words ‘childhood hero’. “Everything about him: his style, the way he played, the goals he scored. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to come and play in the Premier League, 100%.”

At Standard Liège, his chances of a move to England seemed slim, so back to Genk he went. It was a calculated decision.

“I felt like I owed them something,” he remembers. “Also, I knew that [Thibaut] Courtois had got his transfer from there. When I was there with Kevin De Bruyne, we did well. He got his move to Chelsea, and I got mine to Aston Villa.

“The club has a good reputation abroad for producing young players. So I had to do well with this club in showing myself, and then I would get my move.”

And so, the Belgian diaspora continued – and the national team benefitted resultingly.

For Benteke, communicating with new environments, through language and experience, can only be a positive in one’s football development. It’s something he thinks can improve the English team in future.

“In Belgium we already speak three languages,” he considers, “so I think the adaptation from Belgium is not that hard, compared to a player coming from say Argentina or Brazil. If you look at Belgium, now our base is in England because two or three seasons ago, more than half of the team was playing here.

Now we are even more spread out.

“I think it’s good because we bring different cultures. Now, the new English generations are also trying to challenge themselves abroad, not only in the Premier League. It’s good for the country.”

Roy Hodgson is perhaps the best example the English game has to offer of a willingness to explore other cultures – and Benteke

main interview

16

remembers almost coming a cropper in his early days at Selhurst Park.

“I spoke English with him,” he says. “He never told the French players that he could speak French. Then in training from nowhere, he came to us and said in French: ‘Be careful guys, I can understand you!’ We were shocked because it was like talking to a French person, it was that good.”

In his early 20s, Benteke was a key part of an exciting, young Belgian side, and was preparing to demonstrate his talent on the biggest stage. Then disaster struck: he ruptured his Achilles tendon and was ruled out of the 2014 World Cup finals.

“It was the hardest period of my career so far,” he remembers. “I was in my top form. I was feeling good, feeling great. I had a lot of plans and ambitions: scoring goals with Villa and then going to the World Cup as potentially the main striker at the time. It was an important moment for me.

“Then all of a sudden you feel like the world goes against you. It felt like the world really fell on me. It was really hard.”

But at his lowest ebb, Benteke could rely on those closest to him: “I had the right people around me, so I could deal with the injury. My family, my manager [Paul Lambert] too. I never doubted [I could come back]. I was 24 at the time and I had the energy of doing well in the Premier League. I said: ‘You know what? Make sure you come back. It will take time to get fit, but just make sure you come back.’

“It was really long. As a young player, your first injury is always the hardest one. But you also learn a lot. Now, if I look back, I will say it was sad but it was a great experience in terms of how I could deal with challenges.”

The next challenge was not far behind.

Benteke signed for Liverpool, and like his idol

official matchday programme

Now, if I look back, I will say it was sad but it was a great experience in terms of how I could deal with challenges

17

main interview

18

official matchday programme

19

Henry he was at the pinnacle of

But we had a good chat and he told me how things

Premier League football.

were going to go.”

“When you play your first

Upon signing for Palace, Benteke was forced

game in front of the Kop, you can’t

to adapt his game, often playing alongside a partner

ignore the fans,” he remembers.

for the first time.

“It doesn’t matter how focused

“I used to play most of the time with just me

you are. You see the scenario in

up-front,” he explains. “When you play with someone

your head: I was watching this

else, you can’t just be doing your own thing and him

on TV but now I’m actually on the

doing his thing, because it won’t work for the team.”

pitch. Now it’s my turn.”

But after being signed by

Once again, communication was key: “There has to be some chat on the pitch. It’s about being

Brendan Rodgers, Benteke was

willing: if you really want to do it, it will work quickly.

dropped by Jürgen Klopp – a

But if you put your ego first, it will take longer to work

manager who had pursued him in

– because then you will just look to score without

the past.

thinking about your partner or the team.”

“The weird part was, when I was at Genk I should have signed for [Borussia] Dortmund,” Benteke laughs. “I met Klopp, I spoke to him; he wanted me and De Bruyne.

“Then, when he came to Liverpool it was with a lot of pressure and expectation – the year before, Rodgers had come second in the league when [Steven] Gerrard slipped. The expectation from fans was really high, because they now wanted to finish the job.”

Klopp’s reign saw Benteke’s Anfield career come grinding to a halt, but despite his frustration,

There has to be some chat on the pitch.

It’s about being willing: if you really want to do it, it will work quickly.

But if you put your ego first, it will take longer to work

his ability to express his thoughts meant there was no bad blood.

“He wanted to play a different

Praised by his manager for his attitude in

football where he knew he wasn’t

coming off the bench to score the winner against

going to get the best out of me,”

Brighton, Benteke continues to do what he does

he says. “He was honest. It was

best – made possible by his ability to express

frustrating because it was just bad

himself eloquently both on and off the pitch. While

timing. I think if we had more time

his outward persona may be that of a man with little

it might have been a different story.

to say, the reality could not be more different.

main interview

20

karate kids

official matchday programme

21

copers cope

24

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

for SPORT

25

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

26

What could have been When I think about West Brom, the one game that sticks in my memory comes from 2009/10.

It was the penultimate match of the season and could have been the Sheffield Wednesday game, the game that kept us in the division.

Neil Danns got sent off for headbutting Graham Dorrans – which he’d call the biggest mistake of his career – and we drew, meaning we had to get a point at Hillsborough.

In the last five minutes I missed a chance I’d have normally buried. I popped up on the right and scuffed the ball towards the far corner. The left-back was in the wrong position but managed to clear it off the line with his left foot – if it had been the right-back where he should have been, he might have struggled on his weaker foot. We were at home so, if I’d have scored that, there would have been a pitch invasion and the scenes would have been incredible.

A warm welcome back The Government decision on fans possibly returning this May is absolutely fantastic for everyone in football. When COVID first hit, no one expected the season to be like this; at the end of 2019/20, everyone thought: ‘Let’s get through this, do the right thing and put safety first. We’ll go again next season.’ Now we’ve seen the whole campaign pass in the blink of an eye. It’s really sad.

When fans finally get back, whether that’s in May or next season, just imagine the party atmosphere in every single stadium. It’s going to be incredible. The difference it will make to teams, especially Crystal Palace, and people’s moods will be remarkable. It’s completely different watching the game on TV than being there live. You watch the TV and listen to pundits at the end: they can be dreary and negative.

official matchday programme

You take that in. But if you’re at the game you see everything.

Take the 3-2 loss to West Ham this season as an example of this. At that game, the fans could have lifted the team so that they scored in the 70th-minute rather than the 97th and encouraged a comeback. Then, even if you lose, you’ve really had a go in the last 20 minutes and that changes the game’s whole dynamics. You go into the next game thinking: ‘Let’s start this game like we finished the last one.’

Palace fans are the best in the country that’s no secret - so they really will help the team. When I was there, Selhurst was usually three-quarters full at best but, in the last 10 or 15 minutes, we’d often score because the crowd really, really lifts you. Statistically, 20/21 is one of our best seasons in history. But it could have been more. Fans would have added 10 or more points – that happens to every club, yes, but more so for the side whose fans get completely behind them.

Decisions, decisions West Brom fans will be more aware of this than any: some of the recent officiating decisions in the Premier League have been farcical. They’re detracting from the actual football.

I’m talking mainly about the recently disallowed Brighton goal. I was delighted it wasn’t given but, if that was me taking a freekick, scoring, and then hearing the whistle with the ball millimetres from the line, I’d be furious. That’s the worst decision I’ve seen this season. If Brighton go down this season by a point, that game is what cost them.

Consider that from a Palace point of view – there would quite rightly be uproar.

Everyone makes mistakes and the people saying these refs should never officiate again are silly.

27

I remember us all trying to convince him to give us a goal. Everyone in the stadium apart from four people knew it went in

The people sending threats to Mike Dean are pathetic. But officials do have to front up to their mistakes and admit when they get one wrong. It won’t help the on-pitch situation but at least they’d be admitting their errors. People’s livelihoods are at stake when it comes to relegation and sometimes it takes a single point to stay up. If you’ve made a mistake, you’ve made a mistake.

But the players are accountable - if they put in a terrible challenge, they face the consequences. Why don’t referees?

I’ve been involved in numerous matches where one moment distracts from the game. At Palace, the one that stands out is Freddie Sears’ ‘ghost goal’ against Bristol City. I sat on the bench when Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer had a fight on the pitch but that ‘goal’ is the craziest thing I’ve seen on a football pitch.

Gary Johnson was the Bristol City manager and, for most of the game, I remember us all trying to convince him to give us a goal. Everyone in the stadium apart from four people knew it went in. The way we went about it was the reason we weren’t given a goal because there was anger - we were calling him a cheat and that was wrong. It wasn’t Gary Johnson or the players’ fault but we knew it was a goal.

A few years later, I was at Birmingham playing Yeovil Town. One of their players went down, we kicked the ball out and when they threw it back, their centrehalf lobbed our ‘keeper and scored. It all kicked-off. I was even angrier because Gary Johnson was manager again. That was an equaliser and we were going crazy, trying to get him to give us a goal. It wasn’t on. Eventually, they scored again and then Johnson gave us a goal. If only that had happened at Palace!

darren ambrose

28

© 2020 Electronic Arts Inc. EA, EA SPORTS, and the EA SPORTS logo are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Official FIFA licensed product. © FIFA and FIFA’s Official Licensed Product Logo are copyrights and/or trademarks of FIFA. All rights reserved. Manufactured under license by Electronic Arts Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. SEE www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-21/game-and-offer-disclaimers FOR DETAILS.

official matchday programme

29

Quizzes, Games & MORE! Junior EAgles

30

Schools In Focus Palace for Life Foundation have been supporting local schools virtually throughout this national lockdown, and have started delivering a five-week series of workshops for Year 5 and 6 children from local schools.

Officers Tom, James, Charlie and Emmanuel have so far delivered to over 500 children both at school and at home, and will continue to do so up until the Easter holidays. The series of workshops focuses

One Headteacher at a Croydon primary

on supporting children’s mental wellbeing

school said: “I spoke to the staff and pupils

as they begin the transition back to school,

who were in the session and they all really

paying attention to key topics including

enjoyed it. It had a good structure, the children

communication, gratitude, resilience and

were attentive throughout and they felt they

social responsibility.

challenged perceptions and gained strategies.”

Guess who

Badge jumble

Can you guess the four players from today’s

Can you work out four of Jerome Thomas’

opponents in the below face mash-up?

previous clubs from the mixed-up badges?

01

02

03

04

official matchday programme

01

02

03

04

31 Check out the answers at the bottom of this page!

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?

e

x

T

O

W

N

S

E

N

D

H

v

j

h

s

f

d

v

m

n

A

L

L

A

R

D

Y

C

E

b

W

k

g

q

i

o

g

z

a

i

T

l

z

e

y

p

h

j

k

b

H

u

c

G

x

v

k

h

y

p

O

p

B

A

G

G

I

E

S

o

R

t

j

Y

m

q

w

y

i

v

N

e

m

L

v

a

r

k

l

b

S

b

F

E

R

G

U

S

O

N

Six words to find:

Gayle, Baggies, Hawthorns, Allardyce, Townsend, Ferguson.

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

S

F

E

G

R

G

G

Y

D

R

S

O W N

L

N

Y

R

A

O

B

H

U

S

O

N

an 'I' 5 Son missing Spurs badge I

E

colour 3 PUMA logo on Ayew's shorts orange 4 AIA sponsor missing

S

1 PUMA logo on Ayew's shoulder missing 2 Ayew's boots different

G

T

2 Charlton Athletic 3 Portsmouth 4 Leeds United Spot The Difference:

W A

answers

L

L

A

C

4 Robert Snodgrass Badge Jumble: 1 Queens Park Rangers

E

Guess Who: 1 Kieran Gibbs 2 Branislav Ivanović 3 Jake Livermore

H T

Junior EAgles

E

N

D

32

33

Est.

1878 opposition

34

West brom match preview West Brom are in serious danger of being cut adrift as Fulham continue to hoover up points and climb towards safety. But the Baggies are clearly aware of this, as survival specialist Sam Allardyce begins to make his mark in the Midlands.

Releasing manager Slaven Bilić after a shaky start, West Brom collected just eight points from 16 matches in 2020. In 2021, they have already picked up 10 from 12. That kind of form is clearly an improvement, and a marked one at that, but it’s still not enough. Should the Baggies continue to collect less than a point per game, they will be left on just 28 and doubtless slip into the Championship.

What they must instead count on is a late, determined surge to safety under the guidance of Allardyce, who has excelled in his keeping sides afloat throughout the years. Now approaching three months in charge, the former Palace boss has started to make a notable impact – leaving West Brom in-line for dramatic late heroics.

Palace must beware.

Can the Baggies pull off a great escape? Daniel Storey analyses how they might on page 44.

official matchday programme

Sam Allardyce:

It doesn’t matter how we get points at this stage of the season.

We just need to get them recent outings

0-1

l {h) 04.03.21

1-0

w {h) 27.02.21

0-0

d {a) 20.02.21

om

35

The Baggies

premier league wins

all-timers Chris Brunt

76

James Morrison

68

Jonas Olsson

62

Gareth McAuley

60

30

James Morrison

29

Chris Brunt

24

Salomón Rondón

24

premier league goals

Peter Odemwingie

last time out 01 14 05 27 02 35 10 30 18 12 17

Johnstone Townsend Bartley O’Shea Furlong Yokuslu Phillips Maitland-Niles Gallagher Pereira Diagne

0-0 01

02

27

05

14

30

10

35

12

18 17

opposition

01

player profile

36

Age

27

Height

1.93m

Joined

3rd July, 2018

Debut

4th August, 2018 v Bolton Wanderers

PREVIOUS CLUB: Manchester United

02

Sam Johnstone POSITION: GOALKEEPER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

03

Johnstone has spent the majority of his career on loan from Manchester United at various levels. He competed with seven different clubs between 2011-2018 before signing for West Brom in 2018.

Since then, he has enjoyed

Darnell Furlong

Kieran Gibbs

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

regular football – playing

05

every minute of the Baggies’ Championship campaigns of 18/19 and 19/20.

27 apps 05 clean sheets official matchday programme

Kyle Bartley

Semi Ajayi

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: NIGERIA

06

37

14

20

Conor Townsend

Branislav Ivanovic

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: SERBIA

08

21 apps 02 clean sheets

27 10 Dara O’Shea

Jake Livermore

Matt Phillips

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: SCOTLAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: IRELAND

player profile

Former Baggies manager Age

22

Height

1.88m

Joined

Academy – aged 16

Debut

13th August, 2019 v Millwall

Slaven Bilić said of Republic of Ireland international O’Shea: “He is the present and the future of the club. I love Dara."

The young defender had to wait his turn before competing regularly with West Brom’s first-team but has since earned widespread plaudits and attention as he battles to bolt-

PREVIOUS CLUBS:

down a place in the starting XI.

Hereford & Exeter City

opposition

38

11

12

Grady Diangana

Matheus Pereira

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: BRAZIL

19 apps 02 wins

19 18

13

Conor Gallagher

Romaine Sawyers

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: POLAND

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: SAINT KITTS & NEVIS

player profile

Kamil Grosicki

Sawyers began his career with

Age

29

Height

1.75m

youth player before earning a

Re-joined

27th July, 2019

was on the fringes of the first-

Debut

3rd August, 2019 v Nottingham Forest

West Brom in 2004, joining as a professional contract in 2009. He team squad when he sustained a knee injury in 2009/10.

The Baggies sent him on three loans before releasing him without a single senior

PREVIOUS CLUBS:

appearance in 2013. He re-signed

Walsall & Brentford

in 2019 and has since become a core member of the squad.

official matchday programme

17

player profile

39

Age

29

Height

1.91m

Joined

29th January, 2021

Debut

30th January, 2021 v Fulham

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Brandizzo, Bra, Juventus, Tianjin Tigers & Kasımpaşa

04

23

Mbaye Diagne POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: SENEGAL The remarkably well-travelled Diagne has represented clubs from Italy, France, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Hungary, China, Turkey and now the English Midlands, on loan from Galatasaray.

Since arriving at the end of the January window, Diagne

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: WALES

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: SCOTLAND

07

has brought experience to the Baggies’ frontline, earning a goal and assist in his first two weeks.

08 apps 01 goals

Hal Robson-Kanu

Robert Snodgrass

29

Callum Robinson

Karlan Grant

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: IRELAND

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

opposition

40

10

10

townsend

phillips

player comparison

Age 29

position Midfielder

nationality eng

Age 29

position Midfielder

nationality sco

apps

goals

Assists

apps

goals

Assists

25

23

Passes per match

Tackle success

Big chances created

Shooting accuracy

Cross accuracy

Passes per match

Tackle success

11

Cross accuracy

176

Shooting accuracy

22

Big chances created

198

43

31%

24%

22.3

67%

25

28%

24%

16.1

65%

official matchday programme

41

#27

#14

Mitchell

Townsend

player comparison

Age 21

position Defender

nationality eng

Age 24

position Defender

nationality eng

apps

Clean sheets

Tackles

apps

Clean sheets

Tackles

Interceptions

Clearances

cross accuracy

Duels won

Recoveries

24

Recoveries

4

Duels won

15

cross accuracy

51

Clearances

3

Interceptions

17

17

34

29%

72

75

26

32

23%

74

76

opposition

42

officialLOCK matchday programme

EXPLODE

PLAY

43

Palace have won three of their last four Premier League meetings with West Brom (D1), winning 5-1 at the Hawthorns in the reverse fixture

36

West Brom have lost four of their six Premier League away games against Crystal Palace, winning the other two in April 2015 (2-0) and August 2016 (1-0)

38 2

4

season so far

30

20

GOALS

244 255 SHOTS

23

22

47

56

EXPECTED GOALS

GOALS CONCEDED

40

12

37

AVERAGE POSSESSION %

42

49

EXPECTED GOALS AGAINST

8

4

SHOT CONVERSION RATE %

7

POINTS GAINED AFTER TRAILING

6

5

CLEAN SHEETS

9

12

POINTS DROPPED AFTER LEADING

goal times time

SCORED

CONCEDED

time

SCORED

CONCEDED

0-15

7

9

0-15

6

7

16-30

6

8

16-30

3

7

31-45

4

3

31-45

2

12

46-60

4

9

46-60

6

11

61-75

4

5

61-75

1

11

76-90

5

13

76-90

2

8

opposition

44

what’s the storey

it’s not how often or for how long they have the ball that counts, it’s what they do with it

@danielstorey85

usually low-percentage but high yielding. If a short pass comes off, you retain possession. If a long ball comes off, you might just be through on goal.

Under Allardyce, West Brom are a long-ball team; that’s not a loaded statement,

Columnist Daniel Storey can be

relegation battle that can be

merely a description. They

heard on The Totally Football Show

handy. Every player knows

have averaged 67 long balls per

and seen in the Irish Examiner, the

how the side intends to play

game under his management,

i paper and many more.

and training can be prepared

fewer than only Burnley.

No obsession with possession

accordingly. But this means the

But what is fascinating

opposition are equally clued up;

about West Brom is that, while

Allardyce’s teams are unlikely

the Clarets have a style honed

Only once did West Brom record

to suddenly start dominating

under years of Sean Dyche’s

less than 40% possession

the ball and playing it around

management, the Baggies

in their nine games before

their defence to invite a press

shifted strategy overnight.

appointing Sam Allardyce to

that they intricately sidestep.

Under Bilić this season, West

replace Slaven Bilić. That was

In West Brom’s 13 games

Brom played roughly the same

in Bilić’s final game and came

under Allardyce, they have

number of long balls (passes

with a reasonable caveat:

only once managed more than

over 35 yards, so including

they were playing Manchester

40% possession. Even then it

cross-field switches of play)

City away from home.

was only 41% against West

as Liverpool. Now they’re

The accusation of Bilić’s

Ham United, a match they lost

going back to front with far

team is that they lacked any

2-1. The manager is clear: it’s

more regularity.

real identity, anything you

not how often or for how long

could hang your hat on and

we have the ball that counts,

say was definitively West

it’s what we do with it.

Bromwich Albion’s style. They

Slow improvements to their defensive record

possession nor retain it, go long

Expect an aerial assault

or play short passes, attack

Possession statistics can be a

league games (v Burnley and

down the wings and cross

little misleading. They do not

Brighton), as many as they

into the box or play the ball

refer to the actual time spent

managed in the entire season

into the centre forward’s feet

with the ball, but merely reflect

until that point. We should

and bring others into play.

a team’s percentage of the

caveat that by pointing out

match’s total passes. Logically

Brighton had 15 shots and

Allardyce certainly does is

that penalises teams who prefer

missed two penalties, but the

give teams identity, and in a

to go direct - those passes are

fact still stands.

neither looked to sacrifice

One thing appointing

official matchday programme

West Brom have earned two clean sheets in their last two

45

Allardyce desperately needed that improvement if West Brom are going to have a chance of staying up.

We might usually expect a newly-managed Allardyce team to immediately tighten the defence, but that didn’t happen at the Hawthorns.

In the manager’s first 10 league matches, West Brom

West Brom have earned two clean sheets in their last two league games

But can they score enough?

For all the recent defensive improvement, West Brom conceded 28 goals; they only

remain a team short of attacking threat. They have

conceded 15 in Bilić’s final 10.

created the fewest chances from open play in the Premier

The Baggies also conceded

League and the fewest chances from open play too. West

more shots per game under

Brom’s total of 351 touches in the opposition penalty area

the new manager than the

this season is almost 50 below the next-worst team and

previous one.

almost 100 lower than 18th-place on that list.

Attacking midfielder Matheus Pereira is the

that Allardyce is imprinting

exception, leading West Brom’s individual rankings

his ideals upon the squad. In

in goals, assists, shots and chances created, but he

their last three games they

cannot do it alone. In terms of shots, Conor Gallagher

have conceded noticeably

ranks second but 99th in the Premier League as a whole.

fewer shots, all the more

In terms of chances created it’s Matty Phillips who is

impressive given that they

second at West Brom; he ranks 121st of all Premier

played Manchester United

League players.

in one of those fixtures and

The January signings of Mbaye Diagne and Robert

were reduced to 10 men

Snodgrass may help on both measures, but West Brom

after 30 minutes in another.

have to get those two players more involved. Diagne’s 10

The question is whether that

shots in six matches suggests he is busy enough to be the

improvement has come too

Baggies’ starting striker until May (he was top scorer in

late to secure West Brom’s

Turkey’s Süper Lig before his loan move), but every striker

Premier League survival.

relies upon service.

daniel storey

Statistics correct as of March 3rd

Now there are signs

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 5th May, 2014, was the night Palace secured

Palace’s goalkeeping coach, Dean Kiely,

their famous 3-3 against Liverpool. Former

retired from professional football after last

Baggies striker, Dwight Gayle, scored a brace.

representing Portsmouth or West Brom?

But which Eagle scored the club’s first?

07

02

Name the missing teams from Kevin Phillips’

Which club did the south Londoners sign

career: Watford – Sunderland – X – Aston Villa

Dwight Gayle from?

– West Brom – Birmingham City – X – Crystal Palace – Leicester City

03 In August, 2015, Palace secured a 2-1 win in what was just José Mourinho’s second league loss at Stamford Bridge. Radamel Falcao

08 Craig Beattie had a loan spell with Palace

equalised that day but who got the south

from the Baggies, but who did his then-parent

Londoners’ winner?

club sign the striker from?

04 True or false: Nathan Ferguson scored on his league debut for West Bromwich Albion v

09 Danny Gabbidon started with today’s opponents

Nottingham Forest?

and went on to play for three London clubs, including Palace. Who were the other two?

05 I started my career with Arsenal before joining Charlton Athletic, plus I’ve played for

10

West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson’s win ratio as Baggies manager

which included a loan spell with Leeds

was 37.04% - is that higher or lower than his

United in between. Who am I?

time with Palace so far?

answers 7 Southampton & Blackpool 8 Celtic 9 West Ham United & Queens Park Rangers 10 Higher 1 Damien Delaney 2 Peterborough United 3 Joel Ward 4 False 5 Jerome Thomas 6 West Brom opposition quiz

48

49

fantasy dinner party This week, Crystal Palace Women’s

ANDY MURRAY He’s gone through the ranks, works so hard and had setbacks that he’s got through and I think he’d be really interesting to talk to.

KELLY SMITH In childhood she was who I looked up

defender Georgia Clifford invites some

to: she was most capped for England,

of sport’s strongest, most inspirational

scored the most, she was the first ‘face’

figures. And King Leonidas, from 300.

of women’s football.

GERARD BUTLER One, because I fancy him and, two, I think he’s amazing and could listen to his

LIFFORD

accent all day.

Serena Williams She’s such an inspiration, her career is amazing and she’s such a strong, powerful woman. You just look up to her and think: ‘Wow. She knows what she wants and goes and gets it.’

Marcus Rashford He’s young, he’s done amazing things already in his football career and outside of football. He seems like a really kind, caring man who wants to give back. It would be interesting to talk to him and know his path and how he grew up.

fantasy dinner party

BUSINESS CLUB PARTNERS PROCTORS LIMITED

ROADRUNNERS MINICABS

MARBLES LTD

DRAIN DETECTIVES

BROWNHILL INSURANCE GROUP

MITCHAM BUILDERS MERCHANTS LTD

TLK PROPERTY SERVICES LTD

CVC DECORATORS LTD

THE CHISWICK HAIR CLINIC LTD

JAR SITE SOLUTIONS LTD

SCALP PROVOCO

HT DEVELOPMENT UK LTD

BERKELEY CATERING LTD

MY BEST GROUP LTD

COMPLETE FACILITIES SOLUTIONS LTD

N. S. WIBBERLEY FUNERALS LTD

A SMITH MEMORIALS LTD

WS PLANNING & ARCHITECTURE

HAYDENGREEN LTD

F3 WEALTH LTD

MCQ SCAFFOLDING LTD

ANGEL PLASTICS LTD

HAINES ENGINEERING LTD

QUALITY DRIVING LIMITED

KITALL LTD

ELITE

PREMIER PENSIONS

ready Career s. course ips. nticesh Appre es.

Degre

take control. stand out. apply for a course now.

LSEC.ac.uk 020 3954 4000

51

Over the road at Copers Cope

JAKE O’BRIEN 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

J

ake O’Brien is not the only Palace man to have represented Cork City in some

capacity, with Bobby Tambling, Kevin Doyle, Kieran Djilali and Damien Delaney each doing their bit for the Rebel Army. City are the largestsupported second-tier club in Ireland and O’Brien was beginning to play regularly for them – not a bad position for a 19-year-old.

But leaving that stability at such a level, he says, was no contest to joining the Palace Academy. “It’s something I was always interested in doing,” the newly-signed defender says. “I always looked at Under-23 Palace games on the live broadcasts to see what the league was about. I saw there were good players and it was a fast league so I was always interested.

“When I came over, I saw the club was going in the right direction with everything building up and the move to Cat 1. I thought I’d love to try to win some people over and the coaches were very encouraging. This was the club I wanted to be at.”

O’Brien was born and raised in Cork and joined the League of Ireland club in his mid-teens. Working his way to the fringes of the first-team squad, the defender’s career changed in a flash one afternoon at the end of 19/20.

“I made my debut in one of the last games of the season and that came as a surprise for me at Derry City. I went up on the away trip, stayed up for the night and thought: ‘I’m just going to be on the bench for experience.’

official matchday programme

I saw the club was going in the right direction with everything building up and the move to Cat 1. I thought I’d love to try to win some people over

53

As the day went on, I realised I was

is settling in and earning the praise of his

starting and was being thrown in at the

manager. Having made three starts and even

deep end.

spoken with first-team boss Hodgson, on-pitch

“It was a lot of pressure because I wasn’t expecting it but I did well that

life is going smoothly.

But, for a lad from the picturesque cobbled

game. There was a lot of physicality and

streets of coastal Cork, things off the pitch still

I had the likes of Conor McCarthy, Alan

need adapting to. “It’s different, it’s a change

Bennett, who’s a legend at the club.”

but I’m loving it over here,” he says. “I try to go

This surprise senior call-up led

on as many walks as I can… I get up around

to more regular minutes, with O’Brien

Crystal Palace Park, look around the area. It’s a

having represented the Rebel Army 10

good area, it’s friendly, there’s a lot to do when

times before moving to south London.

we can do stuff.

In fact, it was this that initially caught Palace’s eye.

“It’s a lot different to where I’m from though – it’s built-up and very busy. Where

“I gained interest from clubs abroad.

I’m from, we have a beach and it’s more of a

As it got to the end of the season I spoke

summer area. But here there are millions of

with my agent and the interest from

people in one area! It’s very different.”

Palace came about. They wanted to see

With the right luck and effort this season,

videos of me and I came over on trial for

Jake O’Brien may want to get used to the

about 10 days.

millions of people he now shares a city with.

“[Shaun Derry and I] had a quick chat and I trained straight away.

Because I was on trial, he said: ‘You’re here for a few days, but we want you to be here longer. So show what you’re about.’ That was the first chat and then after a trial game, he had another chat with me and said: ‘We’re interested, so we’ll do our best to get the deal done.’

And that’s what they did.

“My full league debut was against Burnley. There was a lot of pressure because there were big names like Roy Hodgson watching and it was at Selhurst Park. It was a good experience and I think I adapt well under pressure and play better, knowing there are people watching. I played well that game.”

Now into the second month of his loan spell in south London, O’Brien

over the road at copers cope

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, Equality Advisor to the Premier League Board and Palace fan, Paul Cleal OBE, explains his journey from oppositionupsetting ball boy to being a leading figure in the league’s fight against racism.

Voices of south london

56

P

aul Cleal remembers life as a Palace ball boy in vivid detail. He remembers the changing hut between the Main Stand

and Whitehorse Lane. He remembers the green tracksuits, wooden stalls and pre-match tea. He remembers his Palace experiences as “always positive”, but also recalls having to escape from Millwall fans, being punched in the terraces and seeing National Front stalls on away days.

This understanding of football’s ability to inspire mixed with its stark reflection of society and the perils that accompany it go some way to

AS someone who was seen as a bit of an outsider because of my colour... being halfdecent at football got me popular.

People wanted me in their [school] team

explaining Cleal’s work today: using football as a force for good in its battle against racism by

the ball and just stood. It was snowing and the

playing a key role in the recently launched No

‘keeper ran out towards me, went to grab the ball

Room For Racism Action Plan. The plan outlines a

and I instinctively took a step to my left. He fell

series of commitments aimed at creating greater

over. The crowd absolutely loved it.”

access to opportunities and career progression for

While Cleal cites his Palace fandom as

Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups in

a factor in his OBE-meriting career, he also

football, and actions to eradicate racial prejudice.

understands football’s darker side – a side endured

“Football could be a leader in this and

even on the Selhurst terraces: “I remember on

hopefully that’s where the current piece of work

one occasion a bunch of Millwall fans got in the

will take us,” Cleal says. “For me, as someone

Holmesdale end and were being marched down

who was seen as a bit of an outsider because of

the side of the pitch where I was ball boy. I was

my colour… being half-decent at football got me

thinking: ‘Sod this,’ so I went straight on the pitch

popular. People wanted me in their [school] team.”

and stood next to the nearest Palace man, which

Born in Croydon in 1966, Cleal began life as a football fan when his neighbour Lee started taking him to Palace in 1974. His first game saw the south

happened to be Jim Cannon. I felt a lot more comfortable there!

“I remember going to certain games in the

Londoners lose 4-1 to Chesterfield, but Cleal’s

‘80s and there would be people with stalls selling

passion for the club never waned.

National Front gear: t-shirts, you name it. Lots of

“My first major memory at Palace was being a ball boy. That was such an exciting thing,”

skinheads around. You had to be very careful.”

On another occasion, Cleal recalls being

Cleal says. “I had a bit of an altercation in my first

repeatedly punched in the back of the head. The

match with the Grimsby goalkeeper [Nigel Batch].

attacks could only happen under the cover of

Palace were winning and it’s possible we were

celebration, so, each time Palace scored, Cleal

told to waste time near the end – I can’t confirm,

would feel another hit. He was eight-years-old. “Of

obviously, but that might have been the case.

course,” he says today with half a smile, “the day

“The ball had gone out for their throw and come all the way down to my end. I basically got

official matchday programme

we have someone like that at Palace we manage to win 3-0. How unlucky is that?

57

“In those days if you were non-white, you were

I still believe that. But we’ve had a very turbulent

chucked in as the same. It didn’t matter what

few years.

shade of black you were, you were in the same

“Inevitably when you start asking for more

at-risk category. You had to be quite careful and

fairness and less discrimination, no matter what

keep your eyes open.

happens sadly some people don’t like it and you

“To feel conspicuous and for that to be a

get a bit of a backlash… The ability to get respect

source of danger has a big impact on you. You do

and progress your career and your life is what this

want to feel safe where you go but I loved football

plan is supporting.”

so much it wouldn’t put me off.”

Forging a career in corporate finance and

There are few fairer goals to aim for; proudly designed by one of our own, the No Room For

human resources, Cleal has been able to blend

Racism Action Plan and Paul Cleal have Crystal

his business acumen and innate knowledge of

Palace’s full backing.

football fans to help develop the No Room For Racism Action Plan. He explains that the two parts of his life – the fan and the professional – go hand in hand.

“Those experiences [in football] are definitely formative and made me feel like people shouldn’t have to go through that,” he says. “I’ve never forgotten what it was like. It doesn’t bother me on a day to day basis – I don’t carry it around, but I do remember and know a lot of people live in a society where they do feel less welcome, under threat and have less opportunity.

“All I’m asking for and all I ever wanted was to be treated with the same respect as everyone else – not more, just the same respect as everyone else... What we have now is a set of principles and a set of actions that we track to make sure we’re making things happen.”

The plan was constructed in the months following summer 2020. It will be embedded across all Premier League activity, supporting the ongoing No Room For Racism initiative which, since 2019, has brought together the league’s work against racial discrimination.

“I think it’s sad that it is still necessary,” Cleal says. “Sometimes people ask me if things are getting better or worse and I’m an optimist – I think generally speaking things are getting better and

voices of south london

58

palace for life Betsie, aged 10, started attending Palace for Life Wildcats sessions after showing interest in playing football late last year. Her journey began in September 2020, when she joined Palace for Life Foundation after school and Saturday morning Wildcats football sessions.

From her very first session Betsie had a natural football talent, however her confidence

and teammates whilst showing a positive

did not match her impressive

attitude and bundles of enthusiasm.

ability and she was shy and a

When speaking about the Wildcats

little hesitant to get on the ball.

sessions, Betsie said: “I’ve been taught a lot

Wildcats focuses not only

of skills to help me improve and I really enjoy

on improving football skills,

getting to play with my friends. My favourite

but also participants’ life and

part is playing matches at the end. I have

interpersonal skills. Betsie

learned loads, especially better ball control

regularly attended the sessions

and shooting. I think Charlie is a great coach

throughout the autumn term

and she makes the sessions fun!”

which saw both her football

Charlie, a Palace for Life coach,

and confidence develop. The

commented: “Betsie has been a standout

sessions helped her become

participant at these sessions, not only

someone who does not shy

showing her great football ability, but always

away from helping her coach

supporting and encouraging her teammates.

official matchday programme

59

“Her attitude is outstanding, she is eager to learn and is a great role model to others. This has even been noticed by her teammates who have elected her as Players’ Player for a number of weeks.”

Coach Charlie discovered that Betsie wasn’t playing for a team outside of the Palace for Life sessions and that she was enthusiastic to join one. Betsie and her mum were introduced to Caterham Pumas in December, where she has now signed as a part of their Under-11s team.

Sarah Wilson, manager of Caterham Pumas U11s, said: “Betsie fit into our training sessions confidently and got on really well with the other girls. She has displayed good skills and obviously loves the sport. She will be a valued addition to the team.”

At the Foundation we are committed to the development of girls’ football and aim to provide pathways to support a player’s footballing journey. We are grateful to have a strong relationship with Caterham Pumas, who provide an opportunity for any of our participants who want to take the next step.

Wildcats sessions are for girls of any ability aged 5-11 who want to play football in a fun, safe environment. To find out more about Palace for Life Wildcats sessions, and how to join them, visit palaceforlife.org and search Wildcats.

super draw Enter the Palace for Life Super Draw to support Palace for Life Foundation. From just £5, you can win great Palace prizes or a cash jackpot of £1,400, with proceeds helping us to continue to fight the impact of COVID-19 on our communities and people.

Search: Palace For Life Super Draw palace for life

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

Super draw From £5 per month

Search: Palace For Life Super Draw

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.

3-0 FRANCE √ UKRAINE 19th NOVEMBER, 2013 2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

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, Yohan Cabaye remembers the international game he and Mamadou Sakho – who scored twice – overturned a heavy disadvantage to

ABAYE

get their country into the World Cup.

I will go for the game with France against Ukraine, the second-leg of the play-off to qualify for the World Cup in 2014. We were 2-0 down from the first-leg and the second-leg was just perfect.

We won 3-0, and I had my best game with my country. That was the start of something, the start of a team and a generation, of what followed then. If I had to pick one game it would be this one.

game that changed my career

62 @pnm1979

official matchday programme

63

2013/14 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, Wilfried Zaha models the away kit from 2013/14.

kit or miss

64

2013 w hat a kit to mark the club’s Premier League return.

Palace employed a fairly

What we like:

stripped-back, clean look in 2013/14, but

Booting the sponsor out of the way for the

each of their kits had a memorable style

sash’s emphatic return, this was the first

about them. This one was the undoubted

of four spectacular black kits.

fan favourite – with the sash correctly reangled and given another footnote in Palace history.

Fondly dubbed the ‘Evil Sash’, this kit brought black to the fore and accompanied a driven squad in an at-times fantastically enjoyable season. If anything, this effort was almost dangerously minimalist and

Even better if: If this programme were an audio book, you may well hear the faint sound of a scraping barrel, but perhaps a ‘meaner’ looking sponsor might add to this kit’s look. Or no sponsor at all, of course.

risked looking a little plain in its design. But the bold blend of shades, rearrangement

Wore it best:

of sponsor and return to the sash made

Mile Jedinak.

it work.

Back in black, Palace aced colour, layout and performance at the end of their long way to the top of English football.

Story of the season Back in the top-flight, Palace fans didn’t expect the season they got in 2013/14. To start, the general consensus

2014

was that enjoying the Premier League was of more importance than staying in it for the first time in history.

By May, south Londoners could look at their side as the 11th-highest in English football. A remarkable run under

The finest hour:

Tony Pulis between the end of March

Dwight Gayle’s last-minute screamer

and middle of May saw Palace climb

away to Aston Villa marked a turning

from 17th to 11th through five wins and two draws from eight. Compared with nine losses from their first 10,

point in Palace’s season, hauling them out of the bottom three towards an eventual 11th-place finish.

that was quite something and the club could reflect on perhaps its most overachieving season since 90/91.

That consolidation earned Pulis Premier League Manager of the Season and set Palace up for the sustained top-flight success they enjoy today.

Where are they now?

Black was fleetingly used for a 93/94 third kit, but the club became so busy bouncing up and down the leagues they forgot to work on it until 2002. Black returned in 05/06 before 13/14 stamped it as a true Palace colour.

Buyers’ guide: We took to eBay with confidence for a kit this recent but, despite spending a considerable chunk of our afternoon searching, couldn’t find a single one. In fact, our only advice for buying the 13/14 away shirt is, well, the home one’s less aggravation. Afternoon well spent.

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 the game with the Southampton defenders dealing capably with the Palace trio, a little starved of service from the wings. And then the breakthrough came.

Thompson headed-on John Humphrey’s cross for skipper Geoff Thomas to knock home past Tim Flowers.

Two minutes later the Eagles were awarded a free-kick and, following a routine from John Salako and Andy Gray, Thomas rifled home a 20-yard shot.

In the final 10 minutes the Saints

T

looked a more positive side and when he cornerstone of this season had

Glenn Cockerill drilled a low shot

been a settled defence, but in recent

past Nigel Martyn with five minutes

weeks injuries and suspensions led

left, Palace’s first league victory in

to reshuffles that resulted in Palace gaining

five weeks became a bit too close for

only one point and scoring one goal from

comfort. Phil Barber made his final

the previous three league fixtures.

appearance for the club when he came

For the visit of Southampton on Saturday, 9th February, Eric Young was still

on for the final few minutes.

It was a similar scenario seven days

missing and manager Steve Coppell opted

later when bottom-place Derby County

for a three-man attack, bringing in Garry

travelled to SE25. For the Eagles, both

Thompson to play alongside Mark Bright

Young and Eddie McGoldrick were now

and Ian Wright.

fit to play and so the team had a more

That meant disappointment for Gareth

familiar look to it. Again, a sizeable

Southgate, who made his first start for the

chunk of the game passed before Palace

club at Norwich shortly before. However, he

got their noses in front - this time thanks

was an unused substitute against the Saints.

to a penalty when Rams defender Mark

The clash was stalemate for two thirds

Wright tangled with his namesake, Ian.

official matchday programme

69

Andy Gray, celebrating his 200th appearance, was never a man to stand on ceremony and smashed past Peter Shilton with such ferocity that the ex-England ‘keeper could have suffered an injury!

Six minutes from the final whistle Bright headed down a cross for Wright to snap up his first league goal at Selhurst since August 28th.

As in the previous week the visitors clinched a goal back before Martyn pulled off two superb saves to secure three points.

Afterwards, Coppell said: “We are a carnival

The fans were now chanting ‘We’re going to Wembley’ as Coppell said afterwards: “There were 5,000 here [at Selhurst] in my first year

side. We start celebrating 10 minutes from the

and this is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to

end and got sloppy, the same as last week.”

those people.”

Three days later Palace were sharp off the mark for the second leg of the Zenith Data Systems Southern Final against Norwich City

NIGEL MARTYN

with Wembley awaiting the winners.

Two chances fell Palace’s way in the opening few minutes, so it was no surprise when Wright headed home the opening goal as the Canaries tried to cope with Salako up front alongside Wright and Bright.

Norwich were pinned back for an hour and then Palace landed the killer blow as Alan Pardew burst down the right, delivered a cross for Bright to head home before further opportunities narrowly missed the target.

Joined from: Bristol Rovers – November, 1989 Debut: 18th November, 1989 v Tottenham Hotspur (H) Final Palace game: 27th May, 1996 v Leicester City (Wembley) Left for: Leeds United - July, 1996 Palace appearances: 349 Palace clean sheets: 111

1990/91 season

GAR

70

official matchday programme

ISSOT

71

this really is an exciting time for Crystal Palace Football Club and all involved in its Academy

B

oth the Under-23s and Under-18s have

In terms of the Academy site, 50% of the

competed extremely well so far this

pitches are ready as well as the Astroturf,

season having come up a level from

classrooms and offices. The full-size dome,

last year’s competition.

Starting with the U23s, we recruited really

additional pitches, canteen, dressing rooms and gymnasium are still to come. What the

well in the summer and everybody played their

owners have done for this football club through

part in assembling a squad that could compete

their investment in the Academy is fantastic

in this league. Credit goes not just to the

– it will make us one of the best academies

players, but also to the staff, who have done a

in the country and has created a no-excuse

great job in getting us to this position.

culture. The buildings provide everything

In football, the saying ‘the league table

needed for success; they’ve raised standards

doesn’t lie’ is often proved true and our

and ambition in both staff and players. To come

Under-18s are supporting that. They have been

here and work is such a motivation now.

so consistent this season with some really

While the Chairman was securing the

brilliant performances where they’ve passed

site, we developed the scouting and staffing

the ball well and created lots of opportunities.

model so that this new structure is the final

Paddy McCarthy and Darren Powell have done

piece of the jigsaw. We haven’t been given this

an excellent job with that team. The lads have

facility and just started to think about Category

been excellent to work with, too, because

1, we’ve been thinking about Category 1 for

they’ve all got great discipline, good hunger

the last five years. Ultimately, our ambition

and commitment to being a professional.

is to become one of the top academies in

The most important thing is we think we

the country. Look at the players Crystal

have some players who can play in Crystal

Palace has produced through time. Now, we

Palace’s first-team and the Football League

have everything other clubs have as well

in that group. With a group as good as that,

as a wonderful catchment area and highly

we intrinsically put pressure on ourselves as

motivated staff.

an Academy to give the manager options for

You’ll hear this a lot, but this really is an

the first-team and to get some boys careers

exciting time for Crystal Palace Football Club

in league football – hopefully at the top end.

and all involved in its Academy.

GARY ISSOTT

AMBE

72

official matchday programme

STOBB

73

We’ve come a long way, and that’s outstanding, but I do think there’s a lot of work to be done still

I

set up Equal Focus Football in October

with the issues I faced starting out. We

2018, based off my own experience as

have football camps in half-term which

a young female player in England. The

are for girls only – you can come in to a

organisation’s main aim is to create a level

comfortable environment, build positivity

playing field for girls in football.

and feel empowered to play. Players

There were no local teams for players

sometimes come to our camps because

my age when I started in football, so I ended

they weren’t getting passed to or picked for

up competing with Palace’s Under-12s at

teams at boys' camps. With us, the girls can

the age of seven. When Palace progressed

express themselves and them being a girl

to Under-14s, I was only nine, so it wasn’t

isn’t mentioned all the time.

really doable. The only team for girls my age

We also offer to work with local teams

was Arsenal, who played in Borehamwood.

to unofficially mentor the coaches by acting

I lived in South Croydon at the time and my

as a soundboard – and have developed

dad had to take me on a three-hour round-

an app to help young players remain

trip just to play.

active and engaged throughout lockdown,

To compete closer to home, I had to

ensuring we continue to progress despite

join boys’ teams in boys’ leagues. Being

the circumstances. Since I started in 2018,

the only girl didn’t affect me that much

Equal Focus Football has gone from me

because I got on with it and rolled my

running everything to having coaches on

sleeves up, but I’d turn up to games and be

board for camps and sessions – including

a bit nervous. When I’d get out of the car, I

professional female footballers who have

could hear the boys and even the parents

played the game and trodden this path.

saying: ‘They’ve got a girl on their team!’

Women’s football has really grown and

There were definitely days where I said:

progressed since I started out – even just by

‘Dad, I don’t want to get out of the car,’ and

having local teams and more organisations.

he’d say: ‘Go on, it’s the same as last week.

I say to the girls now, even though they

You’re absolutely fine. They’ll stop talking

might feel the same as I did, we’re trying to

about you being a girl as soon as the game

work for progression. We’ve come a long

kicks-off.’

way, and that’s outstanding, but I do think

Equal Focus Football helps girls today

there’s a lot of work to be done still.

AMBER STOBBS

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

W S PA . C O . U K

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

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

STATS

2-4 3-1

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

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

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

Lewes

Coventry United

1-4 0-3

Lewes

Wed 7

Sun 25

0-2

London Bees

Sun 4

London Bees

2-3

Blackburn Rovers

Sun 27

Sun 18

1-1

London City Lionesses

Sat 12

0-1

2-0

0-4

6-1

2-1

4-1

2-2

Charlton Athletic

Result

Opposition

Sun 6

may Sun 2

apr

Sep oct nov JAN

dec FEB

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

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

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

Mon 19 Mon 26 Sun 1 Mon 9 Mon 23 Mon 30 Fri 4 Mon 21 Mon 18 Mon 1 Fri 5 Mon 15 Mon 22 Mon 1 Fri 12 Mon 22 Mon 29 Mon 12 Mon 26

Middlesbrough

1-0

3-4

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

Fri 7

Middlesbrough

0-1

Aston Villa

Fri 2

Mon 3

0-3

Norwich City

Fri 25

3-3

West Bromwich Albion

Mon 21

Result

Opposition

Date Sep oct Nov dec Jan feb MAR APR may

MAR APR may

Date

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

Norwich City Leicester City Reading West Ham United Aston Villa Tottenham Hotpsur Fleetwood Town Brighton & Hove Albion Fulham Arsenal Fulham Norwich City Leicester City West Bromwich Albion Reading Chelsea Southampton West Ham United

Sat 17 Sat 24 Sat 31 Sat 7 Sat 28 Sat 05 Fri 11 Sat 19 Sat 16 Sat 30 Sat 06 Sat 20 Sat 27 Sat 6 Sat 13 Tue 16 Sat 3 Tue 6

Sat 8

Sat 1

Sat 24

West Bromwich Albion

Brighton & Hove Albion

Tottenham Hotpsur

Aston Villa

1-0

Chelsea

Fri 2

Sat 17

3-2

Arsenal

Sat 26

7-1

1-1

2-1

1-0

2-3

2-1

Southampton

Sat 19

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

0-0

13th

Wed 3

Manchester United

0-0

13th

Sun 7

Tottenham Hotspur

1-4

13th

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

Jordan Ayew

Card Red Card

Cheikhou Kouyaté

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

8

9

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

77

10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 44

Fixtures & results

78

Club

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD Pts

1

Manchester City

28

20

5

3

56

19

37

65

2

Manchester United

28

15

9

4

55

32

23

54

3

Leicester City

28

16

5

7

48

32

16

53

4

Chelsea

27

13

8

6

42

25

17

47

5

EVERTON

26

14

4

8

39

33

6

46

6

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

27

13

6

8

46

28

18

45

7

West Ham United

26

13

6

7

40

31

9

45

8

LIVERPOOL

28

12

7

9

47

36

11

43

9

ASTON VILLA

26

12

4

10

38

27

11

40

10

Arsenal

27

11

5

11

35

28

7

38

11

Leeds United

26

11

2

13

43

44

-1

35

12

Wolverhampton Wanderers

28

9

8

11

28

37

-9

35

13

Crystal Palace

28

9

7

12

30

47

-17

34

14

Southampton

27

9

6

12

33

44

-11

33

15

Burnley

28

7

9

12

20

36

-16 30

16

NEWCASTLE UNITED

27

7

6

14

27

44

-17

27

17

Brighton & Hove Albion

27

5

11

11

27

35

-8

26

18

Fulham

28

5

11

12

22

33

-11

26

19

West Bromwich Albion

28

3

9

16

20

56 -36 18

20

Sheffield United

28

4

2

22

16

45 -29 14

Gameweek 28

premier league

All statistics correct as of 4pm Monday 8th March

NEWCASTLE √ aSTON VILLA

SOUTHAMPTON √ BRIGHTON

12th March 20:00

14th March 12:00

LEEDS √ CHELSEA

LEICESTER √ SHEFFIELD UTD

13th March 12:30

14th March 14:00

CRYSTAL PALACE √ wEST BROM

ARSENAL √ SPURS

13th March 15:00

14th March 16:30

EVERTON √ BURNLEY

MAN UTD √ WEST HAM

13th March 17:30

14th March 19:15

FULHAM √ MAN CITY

WOLVES √ lIVERPOOL

13th March 20:00

15th 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

west bromwich albion f.c.

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 27 29 30 31 35 39 40 58

Sam JOHNSTONE (GK) Darnell FURLONG Kieran GIBBS Hal ROBSON-KANU Kyle BARTLEY Semi AJAYI Callum ROBINSON Jake LIVERMORE Matt PHILLIPS Grady DIANGANA Matheus PEREIRA Kamil GROSICKI Conor TOWNSEND Mbaye DIAGNE Conor GALLAGHER Romaine SAWYERS Branislav IVANOVIC Kyle EDWARDS Lee PELTIER Robert SNODGRASS David BUTTON (GK) Dara O’SHEA Karlan GRANT Ainsley MAITLAND-NILES Andy LONERGAN (GK) Okay YOKUŞLU Rico RICHARDS George HARMON Cheikh DIABY