Crystal Palace v Aston Villa 2022/23 matchday programme

Crystal Palace √ aSTON VILLA SATURDAY, august 20 2022 | 15:00

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palace √ aston villa sat 20 aug | 15:00

08 captain 10 chairman 34 pub talk 40 Ben Bailey Smith 44 gary issott 46 over the road 49 south of the river 54 ABCD epl 56 2012/13 revisited 58 from the archive 68 beat brighty 70 stats & results

Directors Chairman Steve Parish, David Blitzer, Joshua Harris, John Textor Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell Head of Sports Medicine Dr. Zaf Iqbal Academy Director Gary Issott Director of U23 Development Mark Bright Chief Commercial Officer Barry Webber General Counsel David Nichol Director of Operations Sharon Lacey Head of Ticketing Paul McGowan Head of Retail Laura Holland Chief Marketing and Communications Officer James Woodroof Head of Safeguarding Cassi Wright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott Editor Ben Mountain Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas, Stu Ellmer Contributors Will Robinson, Ian King, Ben Bailey Smith, Toby Jagmohan, Gary Issott, Polly Doran Photography Neil Everitt, Sebastian Frej, Pinnacle Photo Agency, Getty, Stuart Roy Clarke Printer Bishops Printers

contents

As much as you can you live in the present and deal with what’s in front of you… There’s always the next game, next session and things ahead of me to focus on

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palace √ aston villa sat 20 aug | 15:00

Palace Women to meet fans at Selhurst Supporters attending today’s match should keep an eye out for Palace Women’s squad, which has come down to meet and greet fans ahead of the season opener on Sunday 21st Fans will be introduced to 15 new signings and meet familiar faces as the team addresses the Fanzone crowd from 13:00 before taking to the pitch at half-time.

It’s set to be a landmark campaign for the south Londoners, who kick-off 2022/23

against London City Lionesses before playing their first home match of the season against Coventry United.

Palace fans are encouraged to back the team

at Hayes Lane on Saturday, August 27th (19:00 kick-off) as they seek to build on a recordbreaking fourth-place finish in 21/22. Grab your tickets now via tickets.cpfc.co.uk!

Fan update

On this day: August 20th

Supporters are reminded to keep off the Selhurst Park pitch at all times. Perpetrators may be prosecuted.

In one of the most surprising and memorable signings in Palace history Edgar Davids moved to south London in 2010. The Dutch icon agreed a pay-as-you-play deal and was subsequently paid-ashe-played seven times. He – genuinely – called it “one of the greatest experiences of my life.”

What’s inside Find out… why Marc Guéhi rejected the captain’s armband (Page 12), how Jeff Hopkins has influenced a recent signing (Page 42) and why one photographer cried, one ran, and one stared at the clouds when Palace beat Liverpool in 1990 (Page 64). briefing

06

manager

07

Welcome to Selhurst Park to everyone supporting us today, and welcome also to Steven Gerrard, the Aston Villa directors, staff, players and visiting fans.

T

here are some attributes of the game that are nonnegotiable: commitment, hard work, togetherness and competitiveness. Those attributes were there for our first two games and we have to maintain them for the rest of the season. We competed well against Arsenal and were unlucky not to score the goals that would take a point. We played well enough to get a draw, especially in the second-half, but not enough to win.

I was more pleased with our performance against Liverpool, because we showed discipline and that the work we put in is having an effect. I was pleased with the Liverpool display across the team, from Vicente in goal to Wilfried in attack. Wilfried was important because he worked hard for the team and concentrated on his role within the system. You could see that in every player. I was also particularly pleased to see Ebs play with more confidence, for Michael to continue returning to fitness and for Chris to make his Premier League debut.

We executed our plan well and our animation within the system was important. When I say animation I mean that we have a clear philosophy, and that’s more important than the system we use.

You can play with five at the back or three at the back, with three

what’s important is the players’ animation: knowing their role and responsibilities.

We showed that against Liverpool and created chances strikers or one striker, it doesn’t matter – what’s important is the players’ animation: knowing their role and responsibilities. We showed that against Liverpool and created chances, which are both positives for us. manager

What’s important now is to prepare for the Aston Villa game in a way that allows us to again go to a different level. We have to think: how can we defend better? How can we improve our decision-making in the last 30 yards? How can we get more people inside the box? These are the details we still have to work on.

Moving on from recent results, over summer we sent several younger players on loan, and I’d like to wish them good luck. This is an important period in their careers and what they need is to play week in, week out and challenge themselves. We’ll follow what they’re doing throughout.

Finally, we have said goodbye to two players recently: Christian Benteke and Cheikhou Kouyaté.

I and everyone at the club wish Christian and Cheikhou the very best with their next steps. I was really pleased to work with these top professionals and they were an example of how players should conduct themselves. They were fantastic servants and I’m sure the fans will always show them love for what they did for this football club.

Thank you for your support

.

08

captain

09

We are feeling good after a strong performance against a difficult Liverpool team. The game was hard work for every player, but positive results and playing well gives you the energy you need for the next match.

I

am happy to see the squad are playing well together now after two matches in the league. We knew we would be physically very fit and I think we saw that against Liverpool, where after 90 minutes of playing a demanding opponent who play very fast and high we still had determination and fight.

This helped us to ensure we came away from Anfield with a point – which is an achievement for any team. Of course, when you take the lead you do want to win and come to south London with three points, but I think everyone who watched that match will see what Liverpool did to come back, and they played even harder with 10 men.

So we can be pleased with our organised defending from front to back, and of course some skill going forwards to take a chance when it came. Wilfried and Eberechi did well.

There was disappointment to start the season, though. I think against Arsenal our supporters saw a much better second-half and we all felt we should have taken something from this game. But

Arsenal played well and are a good team, so we could not focus on this for too long.

The fixtures have made the start to this season a tough one, and I don’t think that changes this afternoon. Aston Villa were

we can be pleased with our organised defending from front to back, and of course some skill going forwards to take a chance when it came

very difficult to play against last season and I think maybe this year they will be looking to compete for similar positions to us: fighting for the top half. They also had a frustrating start but improved captain

for their next game, so we know today’s match will not be easy.

For the next two weeks we have a very fast schedule. After Villa we are going to start our League Cup campaign, and then we play Manchester City, Brentford and Newcastle United within just a few days. This is where our fitness and strength throughout the squad will be the most helpful to us: there is a lot of travel and a lot of football within a short time, so we have to be prepared for quick turnarounds and focus, and making sure we recover well.

For us, the League Cup is a tournament we know we can do well in. We were still getting started as a squad last season when this competition began for us, but in the FA Cup we showed we can perform well in knock-outs, and I know every one of us wants to go far and win in whatever match we are playing.

But right now we have Villa at our home ground, and this is the task we’re focused on. I’m looking forward to a good match in front of you all.

Make some noise!

.

10

chairman

11

Welcome back to each and every Crystal Palace supporter for today’s match, as we also welcome the directors, staff, players and supporters of Aston Villa to Selhurst Park.

T

he performance at Anfield on Monday night was a good one. There was obviously a bit of disappointment that we didn’t manage to secure the win once Liverpool went down to 10-men, but they are an outstanding team and the atmosphere from both sets of fans in a proper cauldron of a football stadium is always special. A point is an excellent and valuable one to get there.

The whole team gave us what we have come to expect: energy, determination, passion and moments of sublime skill. Eberechi’s move, and the link-up for Wilfried’s exquisite finish, was a joy to watch. I’d also like to congratulate Chris on his first appearance in very testing circumstances, and I’m sure you’ll agree he didn’t put a foot wrong. I would also mention Joachim, who had an outstanding night, but of course all the players deserve to share the plaudits for a great team performance and for executing the game-plan so well. To the travelling fans, thank you as always for your efforts in supporting the team on the road, especially given the travel disruption.

I was pleased to see a positive reaction to the first episode of Football Dreams: The Academy on Channel 4, with all the coaches and notably Phil Hingston’s measured and inspirational approach rightly receiving lots of praise. As I mentioned in my last set of notes, I’m so proud of all of the staff and players who contributed,

I’m so proud of all of the staff and players who contributed, all of whom are a credit to the club all of whom are a credit to the club.

While the series does centre its narrative hook around the retain/ release process, supporters can be reassured that the players’ education, life skills, development and welfare support is significant and of the utmost importance to us all, and continues to be expanded. chairman

The Women’s squad, featuring 15 new players, are here today to meet supporters in the Fanzone and be presented to you on the pitch at halftime, ahead of their season opener on Sunday away at London City. Their first home game to be played at Hayes Lane in Bromley is next Saturday night against Coventry United – I very much hope that the national team’s recent success inspires even more supporters to get behind our Women’s team.

A special mention must go to Paddy, Darren and our Under-21s players who secured probably the best result in our Academy’s history, defeating Manchester United away by a scoreline of 1-5. Several of the squad’s regular starters are out on loan, making the result even more impressive. I’d urge as many of you as possible to come to Selhurst to support this exciting group of players on September 2nd against Tottenham Hotspur.

The atmosphere last time out against Arsenal was absolutely incredible, and I have no doubt you’ll throw everything you have behind the team today.

Up the Palace

.

At just 22-years-old, Marc Guéhi has enjoyed a remarkably swift rise. Or has he? The defender doesn’t think so. Here, he tells Ben Mountain why he’s not yet satisfied – and why he rejected the armband from Patrick Vieira.

14

When you’re in this profession you want success and you want to do well main interview

15

M

arc Guéhi has played 112 professional games, holds three England caps, and last season became Crystal Palace’s youngest captain in 10 years. He is the youngest regular captain in the Premier League and has played at Wembley on numerous occasions.

Presented with this list of achievements, the centre-back says without a shred of irony: “I would have preferred things to have gone a bit quicker.” He’s 22.

Guéhi has enjoyed a nearperfect route in his still-green career: Academy football, progression through the England youth setup, senior substitute appearances, two highly successful loans, a Premier League move, international debut, wearing his club’s armband. On the checklist of accomplishments for professional players, Guéhi has used a lot of ink.

But he’s not satisfied yet. “If I could write the path, it wouldn’t have looked like this,” he insists.

“From the outside it’s easy to see it like that [that things have moved fast]. But when you’re in football and seeing different things and how other people are progressing or where other people are in their careers, you can get a bit carried away with your own journey and want it to look like someone else’s.

“When you’re in this profession you want success and you want to do well, so maybe me wanting to do well would have looked different.”

This is perhaps a mark of the professional footballer; they’re seldom satisfied. Many, however,

do view their careers as a series of successes: after the debut comes the first start, then the first goal, then it’s about moving up, and finally international football.

Marc Guéhi doesn’t think like that. He says: “As much as you can you live in the present and deal with what’s in front of you…

There’s always the next game, next session and things ahead of me to focus on.”

when you’re in football and seeing different things and how other people are progressing or where other people are in their careers, you can get a bit carried away with your own journey and want it to look like someone else’s

If Guéhi’s focus is as immediate as he says, he may be the only person in England not thinking ahead to November and the 2022 World Cup. England have a chance to build on 2018, when a place in the semi-finals fleetingly gave the country a rare sense of footballing belief.

Since then the Three Lions have reached the European Championships final under Palace Academy graduate Gareth Southgate, and Guéhi has joined the senior squad.

With three caps under his belt and an ever-growing Premier League reputation, his is one name in contention amidst a hugely talented defensive offering. While it may be Marc Guéhi

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uncommon for someone with such a recent debut to compete in the sport’s biggest competition, there’s certainly time for Guéhi to make his case.

Does that cross his mind? Take a wild guess. “No,” he says. “Not at all. Not at all. It’s not something I’m thinking about at the moment.

“What’s on my mind right now is making sure I start the season well with Palace, get off to a good start, make sure I keep building and improving as a player. That’s about it.”

We should have known better.

But anyway, even if Guéhi isn’t thinking about the World Cup, we are. After making his senior debut in March 2022 against Switzerland, the south Londoner returned to the squad for minutes against Italy and Hungary in June.

It means that, if selected, Guéhi has familiarity and confidence within the senior setup: two traits that take time to nurture.

He explains: “You can get those feelings and those little bits of doubt, that it is another level – and it is, it’s a high level with the best players that have played for our country. But I’ve just been fortunate enough in my career that things have gone step by step and nothing’s really been too big of a leap for me. That helps: things have naturally progressed in my career and that allowed me to feel as if this moment was the right time.

“That first [England] camp they were just saying: ‘Be yourself.’

They said I was picked because of my abilities and the way I play, so nothing had to change when I got there from a game standpoint.”

If there’s a sense of assurance in Guéhi’s on-pitch character, it comes from a carefulness behind the scenes. He looked natural pulling on the armband for the first time, but then he should have: he’d prepared long in advance.

“I refused it. I didn’t want it,” Guéhi says of the moment Patrick Vieira offered him the captaincy against Watford. The answer catches us off guard.

I said no out of respect for the players there at the time, the senior lads. I didn’t feel like I could take it or that I should take it because there are players that have had bigger careers than mine

“The gaffer asked me for that specific game… he wanted to give it to me and I said no out of respect for the players there at the time, the senior lads. I didn’t feel like I could take it or that I should take it because there are players that have had bigger careers than mine, played football for longer than me and are senior members in the team.

“When some people have been at the club for a lot longer than you it’s sometimes natural for them to take on the armband. Just because I arrived in that summer window it was almost foreign to me to think I could be up for that, that title and responsibility.

“I had to go around making sure it was okay for me to have. I think Marc Guéhi

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They said I was picked because of my abilities and the way I play, so nothing had to change when I got there main interview

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To be wearing the armband for a club like Palace is an amazing feeling main interview

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that’s really important from my point of view because you never know how people will react when they see a younger lad take the captain’s armband. For some people it doesn’t mean too much and for some people it means a lot. “[Luka Milivojevic and James McArthur] said: ‘Take it, just take it.’

Literally just: ‘Take it, it will be good for you. Take it, take it.’... From then on it was great, speaking to other senior members as well… They knew it would be a good thing for my career.

“When you wear the captain’s armband it represents many things: you’re representing your teammates, the club, the fans: when they see you wearing that it means a lot. For me I needed to make sure that I was okay with it or at least that I did it in a way that was respectful to every single person… To be wearing the armband for a club like Palace is an amazing feeling.”

Guéhi says he tries not to change when he takes on the captaincy. “It’s a massive responsibility but one of the reasons I was up for it is I was myself,” he explains – and he isn’t wrong. From his steady confidence on- and off-pitch to his answers in interviews, Guéhi is in every way the archetypical leader.

When he recalls his younger years it becomes clear to see why. “[My parents made] sure I had an education, that I went to school, that I did everything I needed to before football. That’s the most important because football is such a short career, so you have Marc Guéhi

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I understand and recognise and am eternally grateful for everything main interview

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to do things after. That was why education was stressed at home.

“I did okay [at school]. I wasn’t unbelievable but I wasn’t terrible! I agreed with my parents. Of course you want to play football and it was very, very enjoyable and still is – that’s the reason we get into football, because we love it – but I agreed. If my parents said ‘do this’ I’d go and do this. They were right in the end and still are.

“They were always supportive from the get-go. From the age of seven or eight my dad would take me to training every single day from however far he was. So they were always supportive in both aspects, in education and football.

“When I’m down they’re down because of football; when I’m happy they’re happy, so they go through the same emotions I go through.”

Guéhi lives with his parents and three younger sisters today, saying he thinks it’s best to be around them. “They’re all right,” he chuckles when we ask if he’s pickedon as the only brother.

The grounding influence of his family is clear: in his education, modesty, and tackling of life’s more trivial matters. Take, for example, his approach to social media: “I had social media before and have nothing against it – I think it’s great if you can use it in a positive way.

I think it’s a fantastic platform. For me I stopped because I wasn’t productive around the house.

“I’d just be on it scrolling, scrolling, scrolling… It’s just me – I need to be more productive with other stuff.”

Did it work? “Yeah. I’m very productive, I would say, more so than I was before.”

So while Guéhi shuns the endless scroll of Twitter and Instagram, he has time to reflect.

His break-neck career has been too slow, he affirms, and his sights remain on the present, but a year at Crystal Palace has given him food for thought. Was 2021/22 a landmark personal season?

They were always supportive from the get-go. From the age of seven or eight my dad would take me to training every single day from however far he was.

So they were always supportive in both aspects, in education and football

“I feel like everyone else feels like that. I feel, I don’t know, it’s hard not to come across as if it’s a normal thing – because it’s not. Everything that’s happened isn’t. To play that many Premier League games, to get to the semi-final of the FA Cup, to captain the side, to have made my debut for England, that’s not normal, especially for someone who’s just made it to the Premier League. I understand and recognise and am eternally grateful for everything.”

One-hundred-and-twelve professional games, three England caps, a remarkably early captaincy and one lengthy interview later, Marc Guéhi is finally ready to admit it: he’s not done badly in 22 years Marc Guéhi

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the follow -up

Marc Guéhi: Palace’s exemplary ‘old head on young shoulders’. Here, facing five of 60 randomly selected questions, the assured centred-back reveals his admiration for Roger Federer and love for Cuba. Just don’t ask him for a light.

#51: What’s on your bucket list?

#32: What’s your pre-match meal?

I want to go to Cuba. As a family we’ve got this obsession with Cuba and the music there, so I want to go.

I’m not sure where it came from but we all want to go. Not for the cigars.

It varies. It used to be pasta, chicken and a bit of veg. Now it’s toast with a bit of jam, or pancakes. Pre-match you can get anything; a bit of breakfast, bit of lunch, all mixed up.

#18: Federer, Djokovic or Nadal?

Federer. All the way. Don’t get me wrong, Nadal is unbelievable and Djokovic is probably going to win more Grand Slams than them but Federer is elegance and technique.

He’s won 20 Grand Slams and there’s something about him that just brings people happiness when they watch him.

#35: What advice would you give to a young player?

#7: If you weren’t a footballer what sport would you play?

Be obsessed as much as possible.

If this is actually what you want to do just let it take over your whole life in a good way by training hard, working on things you need to work on, watching as many games as possible, being specific to the things you want to improve on and players you want to look like.

Wow. Nothing comes to mind. I played a bit of table tennis. I’m okay, but it’s football all the way.

I can’t imagine myself playing anything else – honestly! the follow-up

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Worth a try?

Probably.

Discover the refreshing, crisp and perfectly balanced taste of Carlsberg Danish Pilsner.

Brewed in the UK, the Danish way. Enjoy responsibly.

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Did you know?

Villa’s first recorded match came in unique circumstances. Formed in 1874, so few local football clubs existed they had to take on Aston Brook St Mary’s rugby team. As a condition of the match, Villa had to play the first-half to rugby rules, and the second as association football.

They won 1-0 – hardly a cricket score.

villa

opposition

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aston villa Villa have enjoyed one of the more high-profile summer transfer windows, bringing in names like Diego Carlos, Boubacar Kamara, and Philippe Coutinho on a permanent deal.

match preview Steven Gerrard will be looking to build on an improved showing in 2021/22 while pushing up the table towards the top half.

Key new signings will strengthen their hand but an opening day defeat to newlypromoted Bournemouth somewhat dampened Villans’ spirits.

That said, Villa have enjoyed the rub of the green in recent times against Palace, winning three of the last five, drawing once and losing once. Their last visit to Selhurst was Gerrard’s first away match, with John McGinn ensuring a visiting win in the 86th-minute.

And a win over Everton last time out has helped to restore some of the confidence at Villa Park. Today's match could prove to be an insightful yardstick for the rest of the season.

Last season

Position Points Top scorer

Home

away

classic: 92

recent matches Opposition

most recent = bottom

score

h/a

position

0-4

a

na

2-2

a

na

1-2

a

na

2-0

a

16th

2-1

h

9th

14th

Coutinho

45 Ollie Watkins (11)

Most assists

Emiliano Buendía (6)

Most passes

Tyrone Mings (1,659)

opposition

Talisman

Ex-Inter Milan, Liverpool and Barcelona attacker Coutinho made headlines when signing permanently for Villa in summer, committing until 2026.

27

recent meetings

most recent = bottom

Kevin Phillips

fixture

0

2

July 12th, 2020 Villa Park

0

3

December 26th, 2020 Villa Park

3

2

May 16th, 2021 Selhurst Park

1

2

November 27th, 2021 Selhurst Park

1

1

May 15th, 2022 Villa Park

Phillips represented Villa 27 times in the 2005/06 Premier League, scoring five goals before joining West Bromwich Albion and then Birmingham City. A dangerous path to tread.

last time out

2-1 Saturday August 13th Villa Park

starting xi 1

E. Martínez

27 L. Digne 5

T. Mings

3

D. Carlos

2

M. Cash

44 B. Kamara 41

J. Ramsey

7

J. M©Ginn

23 P. Coutinho 11

O. Watkins

9

D. Ings

27 44

41

23

3 7 2

subs 4

E. Konza

6

D. Luiz

10

E. Buendía

16

C. Chambers

17

L. Augustinsson

18

A. Young

11

5 1

Boot in both camps

31 L. Bailey 35 C. Archer

25 R. Olsen

opposition

9

01

28

02 04 Matty Cash

Ezri Konsa

POS DEFENDER

POS DEFENDER

NAT POLAND

NAT ENGLAND

16

05 Emiliano Martínez

Tyrone Mings

POS GOALKEEPER

POS DEFENDER

POS DEFENDER

NAT ARGENTINA

NAT ENGLAND

NAT ENGALND

285 saves

32 clean sheets

Age

29

Height

1.95m

Joined

September 16th, 2020

Debut

September 21st, 2020 v Sheffield United

Martínez joined Villa from Arsenal in 2020/21 and immediately showed his credentials as a quality first choice. He played every league game in his first season and all but two in 21/22, scooping Player of the Season in his debut Villa campaign. opposition

player profile

91 apps

Calum Chambers

career history:

29

17

18

Ludwig Augustinsson

Ashley Young

POS DEFENDER

POS DEFENDER

NAT SWEDEN

NAT ENGLAND

03

27 06 Lucas Digne

Douglas Luiz

Diego Carlos

POS MIDFIELDER

POS DEFENDER

NAT FRANCE

NAT BRAZIL

NAT BRAZIL

player profile

POS DEFENDER

02

Age

29

Height

1.86m

Joined

May 26th, 2022

Debut

August 6th, 2022 v Bournemouth

career history:

league apps

0 clean sheets 125 passes

One of several impressive bits of business from the Villans this summer, Brazilian Carlos represented several clubs in his home country before moving to Europe with Portuguese side Estoril. He went on to win the Europa League with Sevilla. opposition

23

30

07 10 John M©Ginn

Emiliano Buendía

POS MIDFIELDER

POS MIDFIELDER

NAT SCOTLAND

NAT ARGENTINA

19

31

Marvelous Nakamba

Leon Bailey

Philippe Coutinho

POS MIDFIELDER

POS MIDFIELDER

NAT ZIMBABWE

NAT JAMAICA

NAT BRAZIL

player profile

POS MIDFIELDER

Age

30

Height

1.72m

Joined

January 7th, 2022 (loan)

Debut

January 15th, 2022 v Manchester United

career history:

46 GOALS

173 apps 38 assists

A huge name with the career to match, Coutinho linked-up with former teammate Steven Gerrard on loan earlier this year and then penned a four-year deal with the club. He has titles including the La Liga and Bundesliga crown, and holds 68 Brazil caps.

Inter Milan, Vasco da Gama, Espanyol, Liverpool, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

opposition

09

31

41 44 Jacob Ramsey

Boubacar Kamara

POS MIDFIELDER

POS MIDFIELDER

NAT ENGLAND

NAT FRANCE

11 35 Danny Ings

Ollie Watkins

Cameron Archer

POS FORWARD

POS FORWARD

POS FORWARD

NAT ENGLAND

NAT ENGLAND

NAT ENGLAND

19 Assists

63 goals

30

Height

1.78m

Joined

August 4th, 2021

Debut

August 14th, 2021 v Watford

Ings bagged a penalty on his debut and netted seven goals from 30 appearances in 21/22.

He has been one of the more consistent and reliable forwards in English football during his career, enjoying a particularly successful 25-goal campaign in 2019/20.

opposition

player profile

172 apps

Age

career history:

Bournemouth, Dorchester Town, Burnley, Liverpool and Southampton

32

JDSPORTS.CO.UK

33

stat pack Following a 2-1 away win at Palace last season, Aston Villa are looking to win consecutive away league matches against the Eagles for the first time.

Crystal Palace have only picked up four points in their last five league matches against Aston Villa (W1 D1 L3), with their one win in this run coming in May 2021 (3-2 at Selhurst Park)

05 00

02

00 07

418

Passes per match

544

17

shots

27

81

Pass accuracy %

84

03

goals conceded

03

0

clean sheets

0

19

01

Will Hughes

Douglas Luiz

apps

apps

95 65 opposition

06

34

It’s Saturday afternoon, kick-off is ticking closer and you're first to the pub. Before long, hazy memories and almost-accurate stats will fill the air. Brush-up for your Aston Villa pre-match below.

Didn’t they once…

Didn’t he once…

Win the Intertoto Cup. That highlycoveted trophy that evaded Palace in 1998/99 and still haunts fans’ memories today.

Among their major European trophies Villa can also lay claim to being one of three teams to win the Intertoto title in 98/99 and advance to the UEFA Cup. Competing over summer 2001, the Villans played in Croatia, France and Switzerland – not a bad pre-season schedule.

Also victorious that year were French clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Troyes. Palace were somewhat less successful in their Intertoto attempt, losing to Samsunspor home and away and crashing out of the tournament at the first stage.

Still, fun while it lasted.

Play for Poland. Matty Cash scoops the gong for least expected name on the teamsheet in international football. It’s a niche award rivalled only by Steven Caulker with Sierra Leone and Florent Malouda, who has 80 France caps, popping up with French Guiana.

Cash qualifies to represent Poland through his mother, whose parents, Ryszard and Janina Tomaszewski, were raised in Poland. They settled in the UK after meeting in 1964, and Cash’s parents raised him in Slough, presumably in preference to Reading, Aldershot, Bracknell, Didcot, Yately, Winnersh and Taplow.

The wing-back now holds – or Burghfield – a Polish passport and seven international caps, putting him in contention for a spot at the 2022 World Cup.

Villa can lay claim to being one of three teams to win the Intertoto title in 98/99 and advance to the UEFA Cup

Pub talk tidbit: It’s Villan with no ‘i’ when you’re talking about the football team. The nickname first arose in the 1800s and the ‘Villa Villan’ became a cartoon character of a man pub talk

Matty Cash scoops the gong for least expected name on the teamsheet in international football. It’s a niche award with a pointed-chin in a claret cape, strikingly similar to Dick Dastardly.

(Look him up; we’re not wrong.)

I was there for...

Dwight Gayle’s 90th-minute winner on Boxing day 2013. Donning the Evil Sash Palace travelled to Villa Park with 13 points from 18 games behind them.

With the game at 0-0 throughout and Boxing Day conditions making it a freezing affair with trains about as frequent as a Claude Davis bicycle kick (read: infrequent) supporters may have regretted hauling themselves away from the family to a cold stalemate.

Then, with full-time swiftly approaching, Gayle pulled out a remarkable long-range effort to claim all three points and set Palace

35

Britain in 1951 and Prince Charles opened the new Trinity Road stand in 2001.

William picked the Villans as a schoolchild, saying like most of us he was surrounded by United and Chelsea fans. He had the chance to switch allegiance when meeting Alan Pardew before the 2016 FA Cup final, but clearly whatever Pards said didn’t work.

on the path to safety. They went on to take 29 points from their next 19, and stayed up in 11th. What was the concern about?

What’s the deal with…

Royal Villans – and not in a Queen of Hearts sort of way.

Prince William is perhaps Villa’s most prestigious supporter, but the club’s association with the royal family goes back further than the current Duke of Cambridge.

In fact George VI, then the Duke of York, made the first royal visit to Villa Park in 1924. A thenPrincess Elizabeth followed that up by watching a schoolchildren’s event as part of the Festival of

trains were about as frequent as a Claude Davis bicycle kick (read: infrequent) and supporters may have regretted hauling themselves away from the family to a cold stalemate

and the fanbase desired, but with a near-full season ahead of him now and an undoubtedly stronger squad to utilise, there’s no doubting Villa are a good bet to climb the ranks.

Should they return to Europe in the coming seasons, they’ll be in familiar territory: the midlands club have won the European Cup and Super Cup, and finished runners-up in the Intercontinental Cup

.

Aren’t they…

Looking up. Villa will be aiming for a top 10 finish this season, with fans hoping for a first trip to Europe since 2010/11 in the coming years.

With Steven Gerrard at the helm and big-name signings over summer such as Philippe Coutinho on a permanent deal, Diego Carlos and Boubacar Kamara, Villa seem primed and ready to push back up the Premier League table.

Last season’s 14th-place finish will have been lower than Gerrard pub talk

Pre-match pint First brewed as ‘Lockdown Lager’ at the start of the pandemic. Cronx’s first lager is brewed with Saphir hops which give the beer a refreshing, slightly citrus twist, followed by a classic clean and malty pilsner finish. Availble in the Lower Holmesdale Tap Room.

36

30 YEARS OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE

37

Arsenal 1-2 Crystal Palace – October 1st, 1994 Palace were winless from their opening seven when travelling to north London under Alan Smith. Facing ex-Eagle Ian Wright – who scored in the second-half – the visiting team shocked their hosts through a John Salako brace.

30 years of the Premier League

38 94 94 23

23

ULTIMATE EDITION

PRE -ORDER NOW*

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In-game Purchases (Includes Random Items)

39

doc brown Ben Bailey Smith: Backing a name change to defy the table

40-41

Polly Doran 42-43

How Jeff Hopkins helped Palace Women’s Australian defender

Gary Issott Why Gary Issott’s counting to 20

44-45

Cormac Austin 46-47

Palace Academy’s new Irish defender who debuted at 15

viewpoint

40

doc brown Ben Bailey Smith, aka Doc Brown, does it all – acting, rapping, writing, directing, you name it. The multifaceted Palace fan is also a patron of Palace for Life Foundation. In each edition, he offers his unique take on the world in SE25.

LIAR, LIAR, PALACE ON FIRE As you read this, I’m on a job shooting in Bristol, working on a Saturday which annoyingly means I can’t be with you in my spiritual home. And yet I truly felt your presence after work on Monday night through the speakers of multiple big screens, as I sat – a single, tension-gripped Eagle – nursing a beer in a Bristolian watering hole, surrounded by replica kit-wearing Reds who I’m sure were all *ahem* genuine Scousers. After what was an exhilarating point (which could easily have been all three), I earwigged with interest as many genuinely agreed their season was over. TWO. GAMES. IN. “The table doesn’t lie,” one shrugged sadly.

The table doesn’t lie. One of the few footballing clichés that rings true… post-Christmas. But come on now, in August, the table does nothing but tell consistent porkies. The August table lies like a scandal-embroiled politician. It lies like a parent reporting a sick child to their school while they board that significantly cheaper flight.

The August table lies like a rug.

Lest we forget: after Arsenal on the opening night we were rock bottom, cast adrift at the foot of the Premier League. By five the following day, without kicking a ball we were out of the danger zone and looking forward to that fateful clash with fellow mid-table strugglers Liverpool. I glanced at the points tallies and thought: It’s incredibly hard to take a table seriously when Aston Villa are ahead of you because their name starts with an A. With Leeds not playing until tomorrow, if we beat the Villans 3-0 today we could go above the Ben Bailey Smith

After what was an exhilarating point (which could easily have been all three), I earwigged with interest as many of them genuinely agreed that their season was over.

TWO GAMES IN Whites simply by changing our name to AFC Palace. Tempting.

Meanwhile, Manchester United are declared a Championship team, Forest are heading back to Europe

41

i never lost faith in Christian ‘Bentekkers’ Benteke. What I saw was determination, endless graft, effort and selflessness – qualities you just can’t input as data in a table. I hope you’ll all join me in thanking him for his service

like it’s the late 70s and Brentford are presumably sniffing around Mbappé and Haaland to bolster their nailed-on Champions League qualification.

In short, I guess I’m saying don’t let the foolish fool you – and the August table is as foolish as they come. (Unless of course we started as top scorers with two wins, in which case I would be screen-shotting it almost daily. But let’s ignore that so I can force this point home.)

As you get used to me and my ramblings this season, you’ll find I’m an eternal optimist. Good vibes make us play better – positive thoughts improve us. Yes, I know I sound like I wrote that line in the lotus position with a floral bandana on while shrouded in incense, but allow me to present Exhibit A: Selhurst Park.

That first Friday night, Arsenal looked sharper, slicker – they’d clearly had the smoother pre-season. But we never laid down. No matter what they threw at us, the faithful in the stands roared us back on and we piled forward once more. It’s as if you could see our voices pushing the players like a gale-force wind. That’s something we should never stop believing in, regardless of what silly old summertime stats tell us.

Exhibit B: Anfield. How on earth was I able to hear every word of our chants from that tiny corner over the sound of the infamous Kop? Surely our players took solace, pride and inspiration from that. Meanwhile every statistician on the planet predicted a spanking of giantcomedy-paddleboard-on-bare-bottom proportions for us and yet... And yet.

Never lose faith.

Ben Bailey Smith

if we beat the Villans 3-0 today. we could go above the whites simply by changing our name to AFC Palace

On a side note, I never lost faith in Christian ‘Bentekkers’ Benteke.

In my opinion, stats never did the man justice. What I saw was determination, endless graft, effort and selflessness – qualities you just can’t input as data in a table. I hope you’ll all join me in thanking him for his service and wishing him the best in the States. I can see him destroying a few defences out there, causing a summer of little kids running around DC mimicking the rigid knee-slap/ chest-slap celebration with glee. Good luck, Chris, and have a great summer start over there.

That’s right. It’s still summer.

So to my beloved fellow Eagles and to all football fans up and down the country: the August table is ribbing you. It’s conning, gaslighting, joshing, scamming and diddling you. Seriously, have an ice cream and enjoy the sun – but don’t sweat it.

And to those genuine Scousers in the pub on Monday night, your season isn’t over – Man City still have to play Palace twice

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cpfc women Crystal Palace Women broke club records in 2021/22, and are looking to do the same this season. In each edition, we hear directly from one of the squad, with new signing Polly Doran detailing her journey from Melbourne to Beckenham.

Polly Doran Age

20

Joined

Summer 2022

Position

Defender

21/22 apps

NA

21/22 goals

NA

Career highlights

Winning back-to-back A-League Grand Finals with Melbourne Victoria.

Take note of

Doran is an experienced full-back despite being just 20 and was a mainstay for Melbourne in 21/22.

polly doran

Growing up with three older brothers in Australia I was the only member of an Aussie rules family to play football. At the age of five or six I tried every sport my brothers did, and then settled on the one they didn’t. All the additional driving didn’t please my parents much, but I ended up joining Essendon Royals, my local club, and spending my first 10 years in football with them.

From there I moved up a step to Calder United and then progressed to the A-League Women with Melbourne Victory. I was lucky enough to win two Grand Finals, where the league’s top four compete in a play-off style competition to win the league title.

I’m not sure why football appealed to me when my family wouldn’t watch a match, let alone kick a ball, but it always stuck out.

Today, football is pretty popular in Melbourne and a lot of young girls play it.

I was very comfortable in Melbourne but I’ve always felt being comfortable isn’t what’s best for me. To get the most out of myself I need to be in a situation where I’m uncomfortable and challenging myself a bit, so when I heard Palace

43

I was very comfortable in Melbourne but I’ve always felt being comfortable isn’t what’s best for me. To get the most out of myself I need to be in a situation where I’m uncomfortable and challenging myself

were interested I thought I’d go for it. I've got a few years left on my contract with Victory and will complete those when my time ends at Palace, but I'm looking forward to what this season holds.

Former Palace player Jeff Hopkins is manager at Melbourne Victory Women, and him being coach made the move much easier.

He and I get along really well and he’s the main reason I’ve been able to progress so quickly. He talks about Palace and if he had to send me anywhere, it’s easier that it’s to a club he has a lot of love for. He can’t speak highly enough of Palace and has told me how much he enjoyed it here, so he sent me away wishing me well.

On that note I should say that all the higher-ups at Victory made this possible because they agreed it would be best for me. I was really lucky that they let this come to fruition.

On Palace’s side, I spoke with club staff and they ran me through the values and long-term aims before I moved.

Palace are trying to push the women’s game forward and are a massive club – even though not everyone in Australia follows football, they do know Crystal Palace. So it’s a big thing for me to join a club with that reputation and with ambitions to match.

Our challenge this season is to win the league, and to do that we have to take every game as it comes. That’s how we won in Melbourne. That step after winning – promotion to a new polly doran

league – adds to the motivation.

The club have been instilling that already this season: as soon as I joined they drilled it into me that to win the league we need to hit certain targets. We start our season tomorrow (Sunday 21st), so now we’re trying to put the development of smaller details over summer into competitive games. We’re still implementing the style, coaches’ plan, and gelling as a squad, but if we can get those things right the end goal becomes all the more attainable.

I’m quite competitive and if there’s an opportunity to fight for something I want to take it.

Speaking to people at Palace there’s definitely a fight on

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Gary Issott

45

academy Gary Issott: Academy Director Going from Category 2 to Category 1 was a big project. The Chairman has given us a fantastic site, which was a big element of the Category 1 application, but we also had to recruit the staff and players for that. Eight years in the making, the Chairman and I understood that if we were to get to Category 1, we needed the players for that level.

h

aving achieved that status makes me feel really proud.

What I’m really proud of is that in our first year of being a Category 1 Academy, the Under-18s finished second on goal difference, the Under-23s got promoted and last year was another successful campaign from both teams: the U23s stayed up safely and the U18s challenged for the league right up until the last five games. It was a team effort from everybody to get us in that condition.

We’re really proud of where we are and the ultimate test, as always, is trying to get players into the first-team. Getting players into the first-team and developing players who can help the club progress is bigger than any league or any individual result.

The Under-23s have changed to Under-21s across the league now, and it’s part of our strategic thinking to have their matches at our Training Ground or Selhurst Park. The reason behind that is the manager, Sporting Director and first-team staff can watch. The players end their Academy journeys

at Under-21s, and some have been with us from Under-7s, so it’s really important they get that exposure to our first-team staff. That in turn builds the confidence that they may be ready to step up.

Hopefully, in the season ahead, we can achieve one or two debuts and hope that an Academy player may establish himself in the first-team squad this season When players come through the ranks to make their debut you’re naturally proud and happy for them. But you also know in football that one game, two games or three games isn’t enough. The marker is 20 games, and once you get past that number you can consider yourself established in Gary Issott

the first-team setup, and say that you’ve contributed. That’s really what I judge success on: how many players go past the 20-game mark.

There are three phases to becoming professional: the debut, establishing yourself and then cementing yourself in the firstteam setup. The boys that went on tour have made it to the first phase, where they’ve made their connection, an impression or a friendly debut. Now they’ve got to get through the next stages.

It was a brilliant experience for them to be around and train with the senior players – to understand the demand and the habits of a first-team professional.

Making it to that stage is an incredible challenge and I know how well these players have done when they get there. Tyrick Mitchell, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Wilfried Zaha, for example, have done brilliantly.

Hopefully, in the season ahead, we can achieve one or two debuts and hope that an Academy player may establish himself in the first-team squad this season

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over the road Cormac Austin

Getting to know Cormac Austin

Age

16

Joined

2022

Position

Midfielder

Apps

1

Goals

0

Highlights so far

Making his professional debut at 15 for Linfield F.C. in 2021/22

Take note of

Austin is a composed player who is capable of playing both as a holding midfielder or a box-to-box midfielder. He has captained Northern Ireland Under-16s.

cormac austin

Cormac Austin describes his arrival in south London as “phenomenal,” having joined the Academy in summer 2022. The Belfast-born midfielder left family and friends behind in Northern Ireland, making a huge step in his fledgling career. But then again, he’s used to making big steps.

“It’s hard, because you’re moving away from your family, your friends, people you’ve grown up with since a young age. It was quite tough, but I’m getting more into it and settling down more and obviously playing football every day is helping. “[Being] a family-oriented person, it was tough, but I know it is for the better and hopefully it will bring me a better future.”

The midfielder may have left his native Northern Ireland, but he has already made an impact in the youth ranks of the Green and White Army. Austin captained the Under16s on home soil and consequently went on to make an appearance for Gerard Lyttle’s Under-17s.

“It was a surreal moment in front of my home crowd

47

Cormac joins an exciting Under-18 group that we currently have and will be a strong addition to the side. We wish him a warm welcome, and all the very best of luck for his time with us."

Gary Issott Academy Director

in Northern Ireland. It was quality, [there was] a great atmosphere… On the day we got a very deserved, hard-fought win against Scotland.

“Playing with the Under-17s was quality. As we move into the future I’m going to try and nail my shirt in that position and regain the captaincy, but also try and move into the Under-19s team.”

Appearances on the international stage last season complemented Austin's performances at youth level and ultimately resulted in a competitive debut at 15-years-old in the Northern Ireland League Cup. “When I got the phone call from the manager, [David Healy], I was taken aback,” he describes.

“I was in the car coming back from school and I couldn’t believe it. At the time I was 15 and it was like: ‘You want me to play an actual match?’

“It came to reality when I was sitting on the bench. I got a call from David Healy and he said: ‘Get warmed up, Cormac: you’re going on.’ I was in shock.

It was a surreal moment for me and my family.”

A trial in south London awaited Austin shortly after his debut and international appearances, and the Academy facilities made a lasting impression on the youngster.

“They’re state of the art, aren’t they?” he says, still seemingly impressed despite confirming his future in these remarkable surroundings. cormac austin

“They’re brilliant. When I first came over on trial [I noticed] that the facilities here are quality, top class. I haven’t got a bad word to say about them, they’re immaculate.”

After a successful trial, Austin penned a three-year deal and is ready to hit the ground running in the season ahead.

When I got the phone call from the manager, [David Healy], I was taken aback.

I was in the car coming back from school and I couldn’t believe it. At the time I was 15 and it was like: ‘You want me to play an actual match?

“I want to do well in the league,” he explains. “I want to take the shirt as my own, and make the central midfield position my own. Maybe even make appearances for the Under-21s or even make the [first-team] bench.

It’s a high aim, but you have to aim that high, don’t you? As a player that’s where you want to go: to the next level.”

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APSLEY

49

Keeping you posted on all things south London. Overleaf, we dive into the education and support system at Palace’s Academy, highlighting the staff and players striving to develop south London’s next generation – on and off the pitch.

John Boyega Actor Boyega was born in Camberwell and raised in Peckham and spent his younger years at school, college and even university south of the Thames. So, naturally, his breakthrough role in Attack the Block was set and filmed in – you guessed it – south London.

Hayes Lane, Bromley, BR2 9EF Saturday, August 27th After the men compete in Manchester, Palace Women play their first home match – a summer evening at Hayes Lane hosting Coventry United. Tickets are available on tickets.cpfc.co.uk.

SOUTH OF THE RIVER

50

n

urturing over 200 boys and young men, the Crystal Palace Academy has a wide-ranging remit in its support of prospects within its system.

There are eight staff who work across player care, psychology, safeguarding, education and wider life skills – as well as more than 60 part- and full-time staff who conduct coaching, strength and conditioning, and medical provision.

Palace’s success in producing professional footballers is high, with Wilfried Zaha the mostplayed Academy player to rise all the way through the club’s ranks in recent decades (432 appearances), and a graduate has represented the first-team once every 168 days since 2004.

Looking just below professional level, the Academy handed out 17 professional contracts in the last 12 months to its most promising players, with several on the verge of the first-team squad.

Across the Premier League, Category 1 academies such as Palace’s have a commendable record in producing home grown talent. In the last decade, approximately 30% of players at Category 1 academies have gained a professional contract and around 10% have made 20 or more professional league appearances.

Of course not every Academy player will make the first-team or become a professional footballer, but the club ensures each youngster to represent Crystal Palace’s Academy is prepared for life outside the sport.

To this end, Palace Chairman Steve Parish says, if the Academy produces “better young people than the people who arrive, more rounded and more capable of dealing with their life, then we’ve done a good job.”

Prospects enter the Academy intent on becoming professional footballers, but all those aged over 15 will attain professional qualifications such as A-levels, BTECs, or similar, vastly enhancing their career prospects for life away from the pitch.

And it’s not just the coaches, scouts and analysts of the future who are holistically prepared by an Academy education; even those who do enter the playing pyramid do so with more than just ball skills.

“We’re wholly responsibly for their achievement and attainment here,” says Head of Education Rowan Griffiths.

“Every single member of the 15 second-year scholar graduates SOUTH OF THE RIVER

Every single member of the 15 secondyear scholar graduates is finishing their Under-18 season with at least two A-level equivalent qualifications

is finishing their Under-18 season with at least two A-level equivalent qualifications each.

“They are very high-achieving students. Of particular note are last season’s Under-18 captain, Joe Sheridan, and his teammate Joe Ling, who are both completing their scholarship with four A-A* A-level equivalents including A-levels in Maths and Politics.

“Wales International, Jadan Raymond, has also recently completed his A-level Graphic Design course where he achieved an A*.

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“The stats from last summer [2021] about A-level and BTEC grades are significantly above average for boys in all areas… you’re getting smaller classes and smaller teaching groups in phenomenal facilities. It also helps that the students are highly motivated, driven and focused, and of course every member of staff here works around the clock to ensure the players thrive in their education.

“There is a consistent theme of higher achievement across all Premier League clubs in comparison with their peers in full-time education, something which the Premier League are very proud to celebrate.”

Of players at Premier League Academies who took their A-levels in summer 2021, an outstanding 67% of their results were A or A*. This compares with the national average of about 45% for those grades.

At Palace, a hybrid education programme also brings players’ learning in-house, ensuring their time balancing school and football is managed effectively.

“Under-13s is when we start our hybrid programme,” Griffiths continues. “They come out [of school] two afternoons each week, and that’s an agreement with schools, parents and ourselves.

We transport them to the Academy where they do additional training, but we also do teaching in the classroom environment.

“The schools can ask us to cover certain subjects or certain

topics, and that’s about not making their education suffer due to being part of the Academy system.” “[Rowan has] contact with the school of every player in the Academy,” Head of Academy Operations Karl Eccleston explains.

“We ask them to keep us updated with the player so we can look after them when they’re here.

“The whole time they’re here they’ll have player care provision. At the early ages that will be through their parents or face to face at the Academy.

They’ll always have access to care and performance psychology, headed by Sion Thomas, our Lead Psychologist. Sion looks after Under-18s and Under-21s and has two staff for the other age groups.”

whatever their path is, we want to offer our support to them to help them achieve success Prepared for a career outside of football as they are, if players do leave the Academy aged 18+, they are offered an enhanced after-care programme to support them on their onward journey – whether that’s finding a new club or a work placement.

“Whatever their path is,” Parish says, “we want to offer our support to them to help them achieve success.”

SOUTH OF THE RIVER

This can be seen even at the toughest times. As will be evident in the Channel 4 documentary Football Dreams: The Academy, when a young Palace prospect learns they haven’t yet received an extended contract, Player Care Officer Kiran Dingri is on hand to support them.

Dingri is one of two player care staff focusing on the Academy players to support the young people throughout their time with the club and beyond. “They’ve got another person they can recognise that isn’t the person picking the team or making decisions on their futures and selection,” Dingri says of his role. “I work with each age group and their parents, delivering different content on navigating through the Academy journey.”

Examples of this nonplaying path into employment can be found across the club already, with Academy staff members such as Ghass Sow, Michael Kamara and Dougie Wright having both competed with Palace as youth players.

“We were offered work within the Academy,” Wright explains.

“It is something Gary Issott, our Academy Director, is keen to do, to help out our transition afterwards.

There are lots of former players dotted about the club with roles, so there’s a great pathway there.”

“People here want the best for them,” says Parish, “the coaches, the staff, the tutors, the mentors, the safeguarding people are all willing to embrace them, help them, want them to succeed.”

.

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THROUGH THE LENS

WILFRIED ZAHA v LIVERPOOL

53

through the lens

54

The Premier League celebrates its 30th anniversary this season, with Palace there at the start in 1992/93 and still there today – with a few detours along the way.

Here, we break down the club’s Premier League spells, letter by letter.

b

breakAways and the best of the best

t

here are few sights more thrilling as a football fan than seeing your side break forwards – and few sights less pleasant than seeing the opposition do the same.

The debate between fans over the best type of goal is too subjective to answer; some prefer a lob to a thunderbolt, some favour a volley to a bullet header. But for all these goals the elation comes instinctively.

A breakaway goal is an entirely different phenomenon. Think of the terror shared by England fans as Germany broke forwards at Wembley in the European Championships, and Thomas Müller bore down on goal. We know now that he missed, and yet the sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach is still vivid in the memory.

A breakaway goal gives us the build-up, anticipation

and the elation, and that is why they are so special. They are prolonged, yet still surprising.

Rapid speed on the counterattack is something Patrick Vieira’s side have become known for since his arrival in south London, with Palace’s high press generating plenty of opportunities to strike fast.

This was clear from the first home victory, when Odsonne Edouard’s sensational introduction abcd epl

to Premier League football – including a goal just 28 seconds after coming on for his debut – culminated in a brace on the break, at Tottenham Hotspur’s expense.

The Eagles repeated this feat at the home of Spurs’ north London rivals. First, Jordan Ayew robbed the ball in the Arsenal midfield and fed Christian Benteke, who fired home. Conor Gallagher then did the same shortly after, regaining

55

possession deep in the Arsenal half and setting Michael Olise off to find Edouard. Same result.

After Christmas, Jean-Philippe Mateta got in on the action at home to Norwich. When Joel Ward won the ball back Palace were feet away from their own corner flag; 10 seconds later the ball was in the back of the net, with Mateta sweeping home.

Perhaps the best of the lot came at Vicarage Road. Having scored a thunderbolt by cutting inside on his right foot the week before, Wilfried Zaha broke free on the left-hand side and raced into the Watford half, squaring up the final defender. It’s a situation no full-back wants to be in.

Shifting his weight and moving to his right, he unleashed a curling effort into the bottom

corner to seal three important points for Palace on the road.

While under Vieira these have predominantly been team efforts, one of club’s greatest breakaway goals came at the hands of an individual player: Andros Townsend.

The Eagles were defending a one-goal advantage heading into the final five minutes against West Bromwich Albion and the pressure was on. An innocuouslooking loose touch gave Townsend possession – but he was on the edge of his own penalty area, at least 80 yards from goal.

Off he went. He made storming progress at first, shaking off his man with each lengthening stride, the gap to goal closing. With fatigued legs he was then two-on-two, and Benteke had space out wide.

Rather than pass, Townsend cut

michy batshuayi Batshuayi’s two spells at the club provided some memorable moments, including his wonderfully-taken late equaliser at Goodison Park as Roy Hodgson’s tenure drew to a close.

His Palace teammates quickly took to him. “I try and kick them in training, just to say: ‘Welcome to the Premier League!’” James Tomkins told the Palace programme of his approach to new signings. “I remember when Michy came in I was challenging him a lot in training. Everyone was like: ‘He’s just joined, what are you doing?!’”

abcd epl

onto his left and narrowed the angle, allowing a shot on goal.

Mustering his final ounce of strength he powered the ball home, before collapsing in an ungainly heap in celebration. It didn’t matter though; the goal itself would live long in the memory. It took just 15 seconds.

best of the best Since promotion in 2013, seven players have been crowned Crystal Palace’s Player of the Season – but only one has done it more than once. In fact, Wilfried Zaha has done it three times.

Between 2015 and 2018 he was the undisputed king of south London, becoming only the second man to win a trio of awards since Julián Speroni in 2010

.

56

ian king

Having been on the brink of collapse in 2010, Crystal Palace earned promotion back to the Premier League 10 years ago this season. Here, Club Historian Ian King tells the story of a dramatic campaign – with a little help from the stars of When Eagles Dare.

AUGUST 14TH: EXETER CITY 1-2 PALACE (LEAGUE CUP) Weeks after an aborted pre-season in the south-west, oddly the season began with this first round League Cup tie in Devon. Three players made their debuts: Joel Ward and Aaron Martin started, and Aaron Wilbraham came off the bench.

The Grecians drew first blood, scoring after just two minutes, but midway through the first-half Jermaine Easter converted a soft penalty awarded for handball.

Just before the break Wilfried Zaha chased a ball into the box and lofted it in for Kagisho Dikgacoi to head home. Further chances came Palace’s way after the break for Easter and KG, and Martin saw his header cleared off the line. Wilbraham came on for captain Glenn Murray

with 12 minutes remaining and landed a couple of headers.

That same evening Leicester City won 4-0 down the road in Torquay, with Jamie Vardy scoring his first of 164 goals for the Foxes.

AUGUST 18TH: PALACE 2-3 WATFORD Julián Speroni, Jonathan Parr and captain Mile Jedinak made their first appearances of the season in this clash, with Wilbraham starting up front, and again Palace were awarded a penalty for their first goal when Zaha was fouled after 13 minutes. Owen Garvan converted the spot kick but nine minutes later Watford levelled when Speroni spilled a shot and Martin Taylor equalised. Speroni made up for this just before the half-hour mark as his long kick upfield found Garvan, who fired home for his brace.

That is how the score remained until the final two minutes when a pair of Watford’s new players scored with efforts from outside the box, one from Matej Vydra coming with virtually the last kick of the game.

Alphabetically Blackpool were the early leaders of the nPower Championship while Palace were the only one of nine losing clubs to score a goal, putting them 16th – one place above Brighton.

early august

august 10th

Palace agree to sign Bolasie, Delaney, Gabbidon and Moritz

Kieron Cadogan is released

2012/13

57

AUGUST 21ST: BRISTOL CITY 4-1 PALACE -

player in focus

The same starting XI took to the field at Ashton Gate while Yannick Bolasie was again missing from City’s lineup having handed in a transfer request.

The Eagles found themselves two goals down after the first 13 minutes to winless City despite already having a couple of chances.

Again uncertainty in defence was their downfall, failing to clear after a corner, and then an innocuous punt was miscontrolled and Martyn Woolford chipped Speroni from the edge of the box.

Matters improved after halftime but then Dean Moxey fouled Jon Stead in the penalty area and the striker scored from the spot. With 15 minutes left Zaha and Garvan combined for Dikgacoi to reduce the arrears during the Eagles’ best spell but then Albert Adomah sealed it for City with an unstoppable drive past Speroni from the edge of the area.

Blackpool still headed the table but Palace now slipped into the bottom two places with Peterborough United as the only sides without a point. There was a lot of work to do, as Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman sat down to discuss who they needed next. Their decisions paid dividends within weeks

.

dean moxey

BORN: January 14th, 1986 – Exeter APPEARANCES: 103 GOALS: 1 In 2012/13 Moxey had to share his position with Jonathan Parr and appeared in half the games on Palace’s return to the Premier League, moving to re-join his former boss Freedman at Bolton in the summer of 2014.

Returning to Devon with Exeter and now Torquay United, it says much for his fitness that Moxey is still playing with over 600 appearances behind him.

We knew there was a lot of time to turn it all around and we hadn’t changed our opinion about being able to turn it around. I know I didn’t.

Mile Jedinak

august 14th

august 17th

Palace win their first game of the season √ Exeter City

Alex Marrow joins Fleetwood Town on loan

2012/13

58

from the

Times have changed over Crystal Palace’s rich and storied history. In each edition, we dust off the archive and reprint a story from one of the club’s historical programmes. This week, we republish an abridged interview with James Scowcroft, days after beating Southampton with a hat-trick.

August 18th, 2007

crystal palace √ leicester city Scoring the first three goals of Palace’s season, James Scowcroft netted his first hattrick for the club and only the second treble of his career.

The last one came back in November 1998 in a game against Crewe Alexandra for Ipswich Town, who were ironically bossed by current Southampton chief George Burley at that time.

So with three goals already notched up for the season, Scowcroft couldn’t hide his delight following the trip to Hampshire, but the 31-year-old is experienced enough to know not to get too carried away.

“It was a perfect start to the season, both for me personally and for the team,” admitted James.

“I never set myself targets, because you never know what’s going to happen From the Archive

59

in football but hopefully I can just keep going now.

“I’ve never been as prolific as I’d have liked in my career, but in saying that, hat-tricks for a lot of players don’t come around very often. It’s always nice to get off the mark, and to get three on the first day is fantasy stuff really.

I never set myself targets, because you never know what’s going to happen in football... next week might be totally different

arrival of new boss Martin Allen and a total of 12 new signings at the club at the time of writing.

However, their opening day defeat against newly promoted Blackpool will have hurt them and they will no doubt be like a wounded animal out for revenge in SE25 this afternoon.

City are one of a number of teams who could mount a sustained challenge in the Championship this season and as always, the division promises to be as unpredictable and entertaining as ever.

Whilst the relegated teams have the undoubted advantage of receiving parachute payments and keeping hold of their top players, the competition to get into the Premiership remains an aspiration for so many sides and that is what makes the Championship a fantastic league in James’ view.

“It’s a very unpredictable league and personally think

“But I’m experienced enough to know that whilst it’s a fantastic day, next week might be totally different.”

This afternoon will see Scowcroft doubly determined to add more goals to his account too, particularly given the fact that he will be facing a former club in the shape of Leicester City.

The Foxes have been tipped to take the Championship by storm this season following a busy summer at the Walkers Stadium which has seen the

that it’s a great league, I really do,” he admitted.

With the names we’ve got in the squad, who knows? It could be a good season for us at the club “It’ll probably take a couple of months for the league to take shape but if we can pick up as many points as we can, then it will put us in a good position.

“We have got to look forward now and we did well in the second half of last season so we’re trying to keep that going.

“With the names we’ve got in the squad, who knows?

It could be a good season for us at the club.”

.

This match ended 2-2, with Clinton Morrison bagging in the 93rd-minute.

Leicester went on to be relegated in 21st place while Palace finished in the play-off spots, losing the semi-final to Bristol City. The Championship: an unpredictable season indeed.

From the Archive

60

palace for life

Inspiring the next generation: The power of women’s football Palace for Life Foundation offer a range of sessions for women and girls to play football in.

On the back of England’s Euros success, find out how to get involved below.

w

e’re lucky enough to work with some of the best female coaches in the game. From a range of backgrounds and experiences, Foundation coaching staff have the skills and experience to breathe life into any session and to inspire the next generation of budding female footballers.

Weetabix Wildcats One of the most popular sessions at Palace for Life is Weetabix Wildcats. Wildcats football sessions are available to girls aged five-11, giving them the opportunity to play football in a fun and safe environment. Wildcats is non-competitive and gives girls the chance to play football for the first time with other girls their own age, have fun and make new friends.

Palace for Life is all about using the power of sport to help change young people’s lives for the better – these sessions aim to inspire young girls to engage with football, develop fundamental skills, learn new things and create the foundation for a lifelong love of the game.

Soccer Schools Once our young female players have got some football experience under their belt, they might consider one of our girls-only Soccer Schools or Player Development Centres.

These sessions take place during the school holidays, run by our highly qualified FA coaches, and can help develop their skills even further.

Palace Women midfielder Leigh Nicol made an appearance at our girls-only Player Development Centre recently and spoke to the participants about her path into football.

Our expert coaches help develop the talent in young

palace for life

footballers with a dedicated player pathway, which gives the most talented the opportunity to join the Crystal Palace F.C. youth setup and other local teams, and stand-out female footballers in school years five and six can join the pathway by attending a trial evening.

Premier League Kicks For children and young adults seeking regular football sessions around south London, free Premier League Kicks sessions are available in a girls-only format. These weekly sessions give girls aged eight-18 the chance to get together for

61

a kickabout on a weekly basis, have fun and make new friends safely in the city. Kicks is primarily funded by the Premier League, and additional funds have been donated from the London Marathon Charitable Fund to help put on additional girls-only Kicks sessions.

Walking football For older players, Palace for Life also hosts women’s walking football sessions which is a popular activity across south London.

It’s a slow-paced version of the beautiful game, designed to help people keep an active lifestyle despite their age, as well as to encourage those who used to play the sport to get back on the field.

Three of our women’s walking footballers, Jules, Tania, and Catherine, recently secured their place in the England women’s walking football team, with Jules and Tania (pictured) both scoring in recent matches against the Republic of Ireland and Wales.

For more information on women and girls football, head to palaceforlife.org

Support Palace for Life in our mission to raise £1 million to help us transform thousands of more young south Londoners’ lives.

visit palaceforlife.org or scan below

.

palace for life

62

#1

EDNA

“Edna Rollinson has been a Palace fan all her life. She’s not sure what her first match was, however she has memories of attending away games at Colchester and Coventry with her father, and has been a regular at home and away matches and a Season Ticket holder for over 35 years.

She has watched and supported our club through thick and thin and like many of the other faithful, always has words of advice and encouragement to offer the management and playing staff.

The list is not exhaustive and if they pull on the famous Red ‘n’ Blue and give it their all for the club, they’ll make the list.

She doesn’t have one favourite player but if asked she’ll mention the likes of Johnny Byrne, John Jackson, Wright and Bright and from our current squad Joel Ward.

To me she epitomises what this club’s supporters are all about: unwavering passion, unfaltering loyalty and devotion to CPFC.”

- Ewen McNab

$CPFC Fan Token Holder

$CPFC Fan Tokens are a form of cryptoasset (also referred to as cryptocurrency). To acquire Fan Tokens, you must download the Socios.com app, purchase the cryptocurrency, Chiliz ($CHZ.), and exchange this for $CPFC Fan Tokens.

Please note that (a) the value of cryptoassets is variable and can go down as well as up; (b) cryptoassets are unregulated in the UK; and (c) Capital Gains Tax (CGT) may be payable on any profits made on the sale of cryptoassets. You should carefully consider buying or selling cryptoassets as it entails risks and could result in a complete loss of funds. Fan Tokens are not suitable for children. For full terms and more information about $CPFC Fan Tokens visit bit.ly/Socios-CPFC

63

on

Everything is snapped in 2022, football included. Throughout its history Crystal Palace has produced millions of pictures from thousands of events. Here, we look at perhaps the most memorable – through the eye of the photographer.

ON ROTATION

64

G

ames as significant as FA Cup semi-finals provide abiding imagery of iconic days, caught against a sprawling backdrop of colour and containing the extremes of emotion that football is able to conjure. That fact is all the more true when the semi-final in question is one of football’s greatest matches.

Palace have won two FA Cup semi-finals: beating Liverpool in 1990 and Watford in 2016. Both remain two of the greatest days in club history, but 1990 continues to stand out.

Speaking about the 1990 semi-final, Guardian photographer Tom Jenkins encapsulates the insanity of that day: “I picked up my bag and cameras and just ran on the pitch. I think I was a bit delirious, to be honest with you. I was just like a headless chicken.

“Part of me is thinking: ‘Oh my god, Palace have just beaten Liverpool and are in the FA Cup final. Part of me was thinking: ‘I have to take some pictures here and try and be professional.’

“Wherever the Palace players went I just ran with them, partly in joy.”

Neil Everitt was a club photographer at Palace from 19762021, capturing everything from Wembley clashes to relegation heartbreaks. He was on-hand in both 1990 and 2016, crouched pitchside with his cameras and recording the action to showcase it all these years later.

The 4-3 Liverpool win stands out for two reasons: the first, naturally, is it remains one of football’s greatest clashes. The second, Everitt’s favourite photo was captured that day. But not by

ON ROTATION

him. Outside Villa Park as Everitt set to work inside was well-known photographer Stuart Roy Clarke, who snapped the below picture.

Clarke wrote of it: “I went along to both semi-final games that day, April 8th 1990. With the swirl of clouds and balloons at Villa Park, some of the drama to me was with the weather playing out on the facade of the most beautiful stadium in England.

“SEVEN goals here. Six goals later on at Maine Road. Palace were to avenge Liverpool, and get through to the final at Wembley.”

Everitt calls that shot “simple and tremendous”. But he caught his own beauties that day and many have gone on to crystallise fans’ memories of the iconic spring afternoon.

Here’s what he remembers of an unforgettable match:

65

neil everitt I went to the semi-final in ‘76 when we lost and we all felt we should have gone through. We’d had a relatively easy run to the [1990] semi-final and then came up against Liverpool, who at the time were almost unbeatable as far as we were concerned. It wasn’t a game I really wanted to go to – I just didn’t want to see us lose another semi-final.

I remember it being a bright day and an early kick-off. Some days you can’t hit a cow’s a**e with a banjo and others you get everything. That was one of the games I seemed to be in almost the right place for everything – certainly goal-wise. The final was the complete opposite!

Some days you can’t hit a cow’s a**e with a banjo and others you get everything

In those days we were taking some colour photos and some black and white, because I was supplying the local papers in black and white and the [Palace matchday] programme wanted colour.

It was dark rooms and black and white prints, putting them in an envelope and delivering them around to the papers. I seem to remember having quite a few to

drink post-match, then doing the pictures, and then sobering up overnight and delivering them very early the next morning!

The first-half was mostly taken in colour. Ian Rush was key to us in that game – he was key for Liverpool. Of course he scored the first goal and then luckily from our point of view went off injured.

The photo with the team talk is before extra time [above], when Stevie Coppell is trying to get that last bit of effort out of them for the last half-hour. At that time you’re thinking about what you’ve already got and trying to predict what’s going to happen. I could have done with being around the other side, because I had Coppell with his back to me.

But you have to take what comes.

[When Palace won 4-3] there were a lot of tears, I must admit. You suddenly realise what you’re about to do or what the team’s about to do. That tends to be when you’ve got a minute to think, when the action’s at the other end of the pitch – which it often was, in fairness!

I find it easy not to celebrate in these moments – I don’t ON ROTATION

celebrate much now, as a supporter. I’m so used to it. When I was a supporter before being a photographer I was quite lippy, but now I don’t say much at all.

In those days at full-time the photographers just went on the pitch and, of course, you have things happening all over the place. There are players all over the place celebrating so it’s very difficult – you see what you can get.

I tried to follow Wrighty to a degree but you’re aware there’s other stuff going on. I think [his absence] was felt to be very crucial by fans... I think, in all fairness, just about 99% of Palace fans who went were of the impression we’d go there and lose.

Most of the focus was on Wrighty because he wasn’t playing, and as a result there were a load of photographers around him, fighting for the best position all the time.

Finally, this was the first time fans used balloons, if I’m not mistaken. Whether because it was the first time is why it felt the most impressive, I don’t know. But to me it’s never been topped

.

66

from the

The page for Palace supporters: taking your comments from the terraces into the programme. This week, we share reactions to Football Dreams: The Academy, and share a quick reminder of all that’s happened lately.

@Johnsta1990 August 11th, 2022

The academy should be proud of Phil Hingston Comes across as a really decent bloke & coach #cpfc #FootballDreams

@MttMllr14

@w9ole

What a brilliant, affable friendship those three lads have - I enjoyed seeing some of the conversations the coaches had in building the players’ character/behaviour

Extremely proud of my club @CPFC after watching #footballdreams on @Channel4

August 11th, 2022

August 11th, 2022

@leanne_noakes

#FootballDreams

@Matchday365CPFC

August 8th, 2022

Look at this amazing cake by Beauty Bake.

Made for her own dad. @CPFC

August 12th, 2022

#CPFC News ICYMI: • Jes Rak Sakyi has gone on loan to Charlton Athletic after signing a 5 year deal • Malachi Boateng has gone on loan to Queens Park • David Ozoh has signed a professional contract • Northern Irish defender Kofi Balmer has signed for the academy Busy!

Got something to share? Email us on programme@cpfc.co.uk with a message of no more than 200 words with a (printable) opinion or story. Alternatively, use #CPFC on Twitter and we’ll keep an eye out!

from the terraces

67

Happy Birthday AJ! Love Mom, Dad, and Madison

WISHING YOU A HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY DAN. LOVE FROM MUM & DAD xxx

Wishing our wonderful Dad and GangGang Peter York a very special 80th birthday! He’s here today cheering on the Eagles from his season ticket seat in the Arthur Wait stand.

Palace sadly lost one of our own recently with the passing of Bill Boakes. A Main Stand regular, Bill was a passionate fan since 1944.

Happy 13th Birthday Mia! Welcome to your teenage years. Let’s hope for a Palace win today :) Loads of love from Mum, Dad and Ella xxx

Dr Steve Harrison is now retiring.

His colleagues would like to let him know how much they’ve enjoyed working with him and how much they will miss him.

from the terraces

Email programme@cpfc.co.uk with a message of 30 words or fewer and an image to feature on our messageboard.

68

Marc Guéhi in Cuba, Doc Brown’s football clichés and Jeff Hopkins’ Australian protégé. Catch-up on what you might have missed in this edition, prep for the next away trip and pit your wits against Brighty below.

did you spot?

quote of the week “I seem to remember having quite a few to drink postmatch, then doing the pictures, and then sobering up overnight and delivering them very early the next morning!”

The elephant Page 65. Find Neil Everitt ononPalace out Liverpool, why this one paraded around 4-3 1990 Selhurst Park in the 1990s.

Prince William on Page 34. Find out why he’s not the first Royal Villan.

STUART O’KEEFE Stuart O’Keefe played in the 2013 play-off final and scored in our first win of the current Premier League era. Today he competes with Gillingham, winning Player of the Season in 2021/22.

round-up

69

next up: oxford united Palace travel to the Kassam stadium for the League Cup second round after today’s clash.

Travel: Oxford station is roughly four miles from the stadium; fans can reach the Kassam via Stagecoach route 1 and the Oxford Bus Company route City 5 from the station to Knights Road. Trains run from Marylebone and Paddington.

Pre-match: There are no pubs close to the Kassam stadium open to away fans, but there are plenty within Oxford that are close to the station, including the historic Turf Tavern and King’s Arms on Holywell Street.

BEAT BRIGHTY In each edition, club icon Mark Bright calls it how he sees it and predicts scores from the weekend’s football.

See how you fare and try to Beat Brighty!

Scoring: One point for every correct result, three for a correct scoreline.

Brighty

You

1-0 2-1 1-1 0-2 total Manage to Beat Brighty? Keep track of your total score above!

round-up

Best memory: There haven’t been too many trips to Oxford in recent years, but in March 1997 Palace recorded a memorable 4-1 win in front of fewer than 9,000 fans. Two months later they went on to win at Wembley thanks to a certain David Hopkin.

70

team stats: women / U21S / U18S Paige Bailey-Gayle Recent signing Bailey-Gayle helped Jamaica qualify for the World Cup this month.

Kofi Balmer Balmer is the latest addition to the U21s, signing from Larne F.C.

Cormac Austin Austin put pen to paper with Palace this summer, aged 16.

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

AUGUST Sun 21

London City Lionesses

Sat 27

Coventry United

SEPTEMBER Sun 11

Birmingham City

Sun 18

Southampton

Sun 25

Blackburn Rovers

OCTOBER Sun 16

Sunderland

Sun 23

Bristol City

Sun 30

Durham

NOVEMBER Sun 6

Sheffield United

Sun 20

Charlton Athletic

DECEMBER Sun 4

Lewes

JANUARY Sun 15

London City Lionesses

Sun 22

Coventry United

FEBRUARY Sun 5

Southampton

Sun 12

Durham

MARCH Sun 5

Bristol City

Sun 12

Sheffield United

Sun 26

Blackburn Rovers

APRIL Sun 2

Sunderland

Sun 16

Birmingham City

Sun 23

Lewes

Sun 30

Charlton Athletic

AUGUST Mon 8 Brighton & Hove Albion W 3-2 Fri 12 Manchester United W 5-1 Fri 19 Fulham Fri 26 Wolves Tue 30 Swindon Town SEPTEMBER Fri 2 Tottenham Hotpsur Sat 10 Blackburn Rovers Fri 16 Chelsea OCTOBER Sat 1 West Ham United Tue 4 Bristol Rovers Sun 9 Everton Sat 15 Liverpool Tue 18 Plymouth Argyle Sat 22 Manchester City Mon 31 Arsenal NOVEMBER Fri 4 Leicester City JANUARY Mon 9 Brighton & Hove Albion Mon 16 Fulham Sun 22 Liverpool Mon 30 Manchester City FEBRUARY Mon 13 Leicester City Mon 20 Manchester United Mon 27 Tottenham Hotspur MARCH Fri 3 Everton Fri 17 Arsenal APRIL Mon 3 Chelsea Mon 17 West Ham United Mon 24 Wolves MAY Mon 13 Blackburn Rovers

women/u21S/u18S

SEPTEMBER Tue 6 Hertha Berlin Wed 28 PSG DECEMBER Wed 14 Dinamo Zagreb FEBRUARY Wed 8 SC Braga

AUGUST Sat 13 West Ham United L 2-3 Sat 20 Aston Villa Sat 27 West Bromwich Albion SEPTEMBER Sat 17 Southampton OCTOBER Sat 1 Chelsea Sat 22 Leicester City Sat 29 Fulham NOVEMBER Sat 19 Norwich City Sat 26 Tottenham Hotpsur DECEMBER Sat 3 Brighton & Hove Albion Sat 17 Arsenal JANUARY Sat 7 West Ham United Sat 14 Fulham Sat 28 Aston Villa FEBRUARY Sat 11 Tottenham Hotspur Sat 18 Brighton & Hove Albion Sat 25 Arsenal MARCH Sat 18 Leicester City APRIL Sat 1 Southampton Sat 15 Norwich City Sat 22 Chelsea Sat 29 West Bromwich Albion

71

Name

Apps

Goals

Chloe Arthur Paige Bailey-Gayle Kirsty Barton Annabel Blanchard Charley Clifford

Name

Apps

Kofi Balmer

1

David Boateng

1

Owen Goodman (GK)

2

John-Kymani Gordon

2

Seán Grehan

1

Goals

Aimee Everett

Apps

Cormac Austin

1

Kalani Barton

1

Freddie Bell

1

Rio Cardines

1

Junior Dixon

1

William Eastwood (GK)

1

Goals

1

1

Rianna Dean Polly Doran

Name

1

Jackson Izquierdo (GK)

Anna Filbey Fliss Gibbons Shauna Guyatt Coral-Jade Haines

Fionn Mooney

1

Jake O'Brien

2

Joseph Gibbard

1

Ademola Ola-Adebomi

1

Jake Grante

1

David Omilabu

1

Jackson Izquierdo (GK)

1

David Ozoh

1

Eyimofe Jemide

1

Killian Phillips

2

Caleb Kporha

1

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

1

Kaden Rodney

1

Elise Hughes Annabel Johnson Fran Kitching (GK) Natalia Negri (GK) Leigh Nicol Ellie Noble

1

2

Zach Marsh

Hollie Olding Chloe Peplow

Hindolo Mustapha Laurence Shala (GK)

Kirsten Reilly Molly-Mae Sharpe Isabella Sibley

Adler Nascimento

1

2

Basilio Socoliche

1

2

Vonnte Williams

1

Rob Street

2

Noah Watson Jack Wells-Morrison

1

Hope Smith (GK) Lizzie Waldie

pos CLUB P W D

L

F

A GD Pts

1

bir

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2

bla

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

pos CLUB P W D 1

cry

2

2

0

L

F

A GD Pts

0

8

3 +5 6

2

ful

2

2

0

0

6

1 +5 6

3

mci

2

2

0

0

6

1 +5 6

4

eve

2

2

0

0

4

0 +4 6

pos CLUB 1

bha

P W D

L

F

A GD Pts

1

0

2

0 +2 3 2 +1 3

2

whu

1

1

0

0

3

nor

1

1

0

0

2

1

4

che

1

1

0

0

1

0 +1 3

1

1

0

0

1

0 +1 3

1

0

1

0

3

3

0

1

0

1

0

3

3

0

1

bri

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

4

cha

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

5

ars

2

2

0

0

6

3 +3 6

5

cov

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

6

che

2

1

0

1

7

4 +3 3

5

tot

6

cry

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

7

wol

2

1

0

1

2

7 -5 3

6

avl

7

dur

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

8

bha

2

0

1

1

3

4 -1

7

sou

1

8

lew

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

9

lei

2

0

1

1

3

5 -2 1

10 tot

2

0

1

1

2

4 -2 1

9

lon

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

10 she

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

11

sou

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

13 bla

2

0

0

2

0

12 sun

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

14 mun

2

0

0

2

2

11

liv

12 whu

2

0

1

1

1

4 -3 1

2

0

0

2

3

6 -3 0

0

3

3

1

1

+1 3

8

cry

1

0

0

1

2

3 -1 0

9

wba

1

0

0

1

1

2 -1 0

10 ars

1

0

0

1

0

1

-1 0

3 -3 0

11

lei

1

0

0

1

0

1

-1 0

8 -6 0

12 ful

1

0

0

1

0

2 -2 0

women/u21S/u18S

72

Jack Butland

Joel Ward

Tyrick Mitchell

Luka Milivojevic

22/23 FIXTURES & RESULTS 01

02

03

04

Career Appearances

17

306

67

179

Career goals

0

5

1

28

ALL-TIME

MAY

APRIL

March

FEBRUARY

JANUARY

DEC

NOV

OCTOBER

SEP

AUGUST

Home fixture Away fixture Cup fixture (Crystal Palace score shown first) Started Used sub Unused sub Goal(s) Yellow card Red card attendance/ KICK-OFF

Date

Opposition

Fri 5

Arsenal

25,286

L

0-2

17th

Mon 15

Liverpool

52,970

D

1-1

16th

15:00

Sat 20

Aston Villa

Tue 23

Oxford United

19:45

Sat 27

Manchester City

15:00

Tue 30

Brentford

19:30

Sat 3

Newcastle United

15:00

Sun 11

Manchester United

16:30

Sat 17

Brighton & Hove Albion

15:00 15:00

Sat 1

Chelsea

Sun 9

Leeds United

14:00

Sat 15

Leicester City

12:30 19:30

Tue 18

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Sat 22

Everton

15:00

Sat 29

Southampton

15:00

Sat 5

West Ham United

15:00

Sat 12

Nottingham Forest

15:00

Mon 26

Fulham

15:00

Sat 31

Bournemouth

15:00

Mon 2

Tottenham Hotspur

15:00

Sat 14

Chelsea

15:00

Sat 21

Newcastle United

15:00 15:00

Sat 4

Manchester United

Sat 11

Brighton & Hove Albion

15:00

Sat 18

Brentford

15:00

Sat 25

Liverpool

15:00

Sat 4

Aston Villa

15:00

Sat 11

Manchester City

15:00

Sat 18

Arsenal

15:00 15:00

Sat 1

Leicester City

Sat 8

Leeds United

15:00

Sat 15

Southampton

15:00 15:00

Sat 22

Everton

Tue 25

Wolverhampton Wanderers

19:45

Sat 29

West Ham United

15:00 15:00

Sat 6

Tottenham Hotspur

Sat 13

Bournemouth

15:00

Sat 20

Fulham

15:00

Sun 28

Nottingham Forest

16:00

fixtures & results

Result

Position

Eberechi Eze Wilfried Zaha Vicente Guaita Jean-Philippe Mateta Jeffrey Schlupp Joachim Andersen Nathaniel Clyne James McArthur Will Hughes Sam Johnstone Odsonne Edouard Malcolm Ebiowei Chris Richards

09 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 26

124

44

32

135

55

432

128

35

163

41

173

249

22

0

33

1

1

9

4

4

15

5

84

0

8

14

0

1

19

1

0

6

0

0

Fixtures & Results

Luke Plange

Jordan Ayew

07

Jaïro Riedewald

Michael Olise

06 Nathan Ferguson

Marc Guéhi

05 Cheick Doucouré

James Tomkins

73

28 36 44 48

2

1

77

0

0

0

3

0

74

PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE 22/23

pos

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Pts

1

Club manchester city

2

2

0

0

6

0

+6

6

2

arsenal

2

2

0

0

6

2

+4

6

3

brentford

2

1

1

0

6

2

+4

4

4

tottenham hotspur

2

1

1

0

6

3

+3

4

5

newcastle united

2

1

1

0

2

0

+2

4

6

leeds united

2

1

1

0

4

3

+1

4

7

chelsea

2

1

1

0

3

2

+1

4

8

brighton & hove albion

2

1

1

0

2

1

+1

4

9

aston villa

2

1

0

1

2

3

-1

3

10

nottingham forest

2

1

0

1

1

2

-1

3

11

bournemouth

2

1

0

1

2

4

-2

3

12

liverpool

2

0

2

0

3

3

0

2

13

fulham

2

0

2

0

2

2

0

2

14

wolverhampton wanderers

2

0

1

1

1

2

-1

1

15

leicester city

2

0

1

1

4

6

-2

1

16

crystal palace

2

0

1

1

1

3

-2

1

17

southampton

2

0

1

1

3

6

-3

1

18

everton

2

0

0

2

1

3

-2

0

19

west ham united

2

0

0

2

0

3

-3

0

20

manchester united

2

0

0

2

1

6

-5

0

All statistics correct as of 17:00 Tuesday, August 16th

bournemouth arsenal

crystal palace aston villa

leeds chelsea

everton nottingham forest

west ham brighton

Saturday, August 20th - 15:00

Sunday, August 21st - 14:00

fulham brentford

newcastle man city

leicester southampton

man united liverpool

Saturday, August 20th - 12:30

Saturday, August 20th - 15:00

Saturday, August 20th - 15:00

Saturday, August 20th - 15:00

Saturday, August 20th - 17:30

Sunday, August 21st - 14:00

Sunday, August 21st - 16:30

Monday, August 22nd - 20:00

premier league

this week’s fixtures

spurs wolves

Crystal palace f.c.

Aston villa f.c.

Jack BUTLAND (GK) Joel WARD Tyrick MITCHELL Luka MILIVOJEVIC James TOMKINS Marc GUÉHI Michael OLISE Jordan AYEW Eberechi EZE Wilfried ZAHA Vicente GUAITA (GK) Jean-Philippe MATETA Jeffrey SCHLUPP Joachim ANDERSEN Nathaniel CLYNE James McARTHUR Will HUGHES Sam JOHNSTONE (GK) Odsonne EDOUARD Malcolm EBIOWEI Chris RICHARDS Cheick DOUCOURÉ Nathan FERGUSON Jaïro RIEDEWALD Luke PLANGE

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 15 16 17 18 19 21 23 24 25 27 30 31 35 41 44 47

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 09 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 26 28 36 44 48

A. Madley D. Eaton S. Meredith T. Bramall J. Brooks N. Hopton

For Ticketing, reaction and highlights download the Official Palace App

Emiliano MARTÍNEZ (GK) Matty CASH Diego CARLOS Ezri KONSA Tyrone MINGS Douglas LUIZ John McGINN Morgan SANSON Danny INGS Emiliano BUENDÍA Ollie WATKINS Jed STEER (GK) Bertrand TRAORÉ Calum CHAMBERS Ludwig AUGUSTINSSON Ashley YOUNG Marvelous NAKAMBA Anwar EL GHAZI Philippe COUTINHO Frédéric GUILBERT Robin OLSEN (GK) Lucas DIGNE Kortney HAUSE Leon BAILEY Cameron ARCHER Jacob RAMSEY Boubacar KAMARA Tim IROEGBUNAM

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