Crystal Palace v Manchester City matchday programme

Crystal Palace v Manchester City Saturday 1st May 2021 // 12:30pm

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Directors Steve Parish, Chairman David Blitzer Joshua Harris Chief Executive Phil Alexander Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell Head of Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning Scott Guyett Head of Medical Dr. Zaf Iqbal Academy Director Gary Issott Director of U23 Development Mark Bright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott Commercial Director Barry Webber Operations Director Sharon Lacey Head of Consumer Sales Mike Pink Head of Ticketing Dan Clarke Head of Legal David Nichol Chief Marketing and Communications Officer James Woodroof Head of CRM & Campaigns Tom McGuiness

palace √ manchester city 01.05.21

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Editor Ben Mountain Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas, Stu Ellmer Contributors Dan Blazer, Will Robinson, Ian King, Daniel Storey, Darren Ambrose, Tash Stephens Photography Neil Everitt, Seb Frej, Reuters, Pinnacle, Rex Features, CP Park Photography Printer Bishops Printers

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palace for life

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1990/91 season

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paddy m©carthy

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ashleigh goddard

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fixtures & results

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premier league

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luka milivojevic

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steve parish

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darren ambrose

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junior eagles

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Daniel storey

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philip kolvin

51 62 contents

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official matchday programme

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G

ood afternoon to each and every one of you reading this and we welcome to Selhurst Park Pep Guardiola, his

staff and his players.

The past month has allowed us to play very few matches and the breaks in between have disturbed any rhythm we may have been able to build up. After starting well and earning a good point away at Everton we were unable to repeat that

I hope now that the spirit and momentum supporters have generated continues to guide governing bodies into changes

performance when we met Chelsea at home the following Saturday where we were all

ever said that it was going to be easy and

extremely disappointed, to say the least,

sometimes one just has to face up to the

with the way we confronted the difficult

type of blow the late Leicester goal dealt us

task in front of us and it was far too easy for

last Monday.

Chelsea to take all three points with them that day.

The subsequent long break

On a totally different subject, but one that completely dominated the headlines last weekend, I must commend football

between fixtures, due to our match with

supporters across the country for their

Southampton having been postponed, gave

heartfelt remonstrations in recent weeks to

us plenty of time to reflect on any failings

protect the sport we all immerse ourselves

that day and our display against another

in. To be reminded so vociferously that

title chasing team away to Leicester on

it is the fans we play for each week was

Monday evening was a clear improvement.

refreshing for those of us within the

I thought that the energy, tactical

game and I hope now that the spirit and

discipline and all-round effort from

momentum supporters have generated

everyone deserved a better fate than the

continues to guide governing bodies into

narrow 2-1 defeat and we can take heart

changes that bring this sport closer to the

from that game on to the final six games of

people it was created for.

the season.

The calendar hasn’t been kind to us

Finally, as I understand our club and clubs across the pyramid will abstain

of late with away fixtures at Everton and

from social media posts this weekend, I

Leicester and home games against Chelsea

would like to urge everybody reading this

and Manchester City. However, rather than

to remember why: racism and abuse are

complain about the size of these challenges

scourges in both society and football, and,

I prefer to take comfort from the fact that

as has been shown with force recently, it

we are in a position to confront these teams

is in the hands of people and organisations

as we all know how important the Premier

to drive change. I sincerely hope we are

League is, as a competition, and how much

taking a step closer towards that today.

quality there is in the league itself. No one

Enjoy the game.

The manager

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If we can see some of you back at Selhurst Park, our home, in the next few weeks, this will give us a huge boost

A

fter so many breaks in football over

bigger and bigger as we have less chances

the last month, we are now facing

to pick up some points for you this season.

the Premier League’s top side after

playing Leicester City in third.

Football is funny like this: one week you

By the end of May, we might have played our last match with no supporters in the stadium and that will make me and

can be resting, waiting and hungry to get

the boys so glad. This has not been a bad

back to matches, and in the next you can be

season, but I will be happy to end 2020/21

playing two of the best teams in the country.

if it means not playing in empty stadiums

That is the challenge of the Premier League.

ever again. If we can see some of you back

I cannot say I am pleased with recent results and we were very disappointed after our game with Chelsea, but this Leicester

at Selhurst Park, our home, in the next few weeks, this will give us a huge boost.

Another positive from the recent weeks

match was improved. I thought personally

has been training with some of the club’s

that we gave Leicester a good game and

young players like Jes Rak-Sakyi. There are

should have come away with at least one

a lot of good, talented players at this football

point after a close fight away from home.

club with some very big futures in front of

But the better performance is something we

them. The lads and I are always pleased to

must take and use today against City.

see them join us, to show them how to be

It will not be easy. We know this. Of course, we have beaten and drawn with Manchester City before more than once and,

professional and to help give them chances to prove themselves.

So, today our Under-18s have a big

yes, that gives us some confidence. But we

match with Brighton and then one more

all know that getting points back then makes

game before they might win the league. I do

no difference to getting points now. We also

not often talk about our other teams or our

know that there are not many matches of the

Academy, but I would like to wish the boys

season left for us to play, so each game gets

some good luck today and next week.

The captain

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as every supporter will know, on our day we can go toeto-toe with the best sides in the country

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elcome to the players, staff and

be hoping they avoid victory to pave the way

directors of Manchester City to

for a possible title for Paddy’s side. Whatever

Selhurst Park today, and thank

happens in these coming weeks, everyone

you for buying this programme.

Monday’s result at Leicester City was disappointing, especially as we went into the break with a deserved lead, following

at the club is extremely proud of the players' performances, and their progress and development.

I urge you to tune in to the club’s live

an excellently worked goal and resolute

broadcast on YouTube of the U18s season

defensive display. Congratulations to Wilfried

finale next Saturday at 10:45 against West

for his brilliant finish which saw him reach

Brom. We will also be broadcasting our

double figures in a league campaign for a

Women’s team’s final match of the season

second time. It was solid display from Roy’s

tomorrow afternoon (Sunday) against Lewes.

team – ultimately we were undone by a very good goal, which proved the difference.

Things won’t get any easier for the team

By the time you are reading this, we will be in the middle of a social media boycott – we will not be posting on the

with the visit of champions-elect Manchester

club’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page

City, who are also celebrating their retention

between Friday afternoon and Monday night.

of the League Cup, but as every supporter

The campaign reaffirms the widely held view

will know, on our day we can go toe-to-toe

amongst football administrators, players and

with the best sides in the country, and I

officials that social media companies must

sincerely hope that is the case today.

do even more to eradicate online abuse. The

We will have one eye on the result of our

collective sentiment from within the game

U18s who are playing Brighton this morning,

is that enough is enough, and as a club we

looking to extend the lead at the top of the

proud to support the campaign.

Premier League. Meanwhile second place

Enjoy the game, wherever you are today.

Fulham – who are three points behind, but have a game in hand and stronger goal

Up the Palace.

difference – travel to Leicester, and we will

The chairman

10 Few jobs come with greater pressure and scrutiny than that of the Premier League footballer.

Andros Townsend explains to Will Robinson why treating players like humans – both online and in the dressing room – can have more of an impact than you might think.

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T

rudging off the pitch at Turf Moor after a disappointing defeat, Andros Townsend

could at least take confidence from his own performance. He had played well, worked hard and felt the confidence returning to his game. Or so he thought.

“I went online after the game on Twitter and I was getting so much abuse for my performance,” he says. “Even though I knew I played well, I couldn’t get these comments out of my head. So I went into the next match still thinking about these comments, and I had a terrible game because I didn’t have the confidence anymore.

“I came off the pitch [at Burnley] thinking: ‘Yes, we lost, but you did well.’ I was feeling confident, as if I could build on that. Having read the comments I started doubting myself: ‘Oh, I don’t want to get the ball there, don’t lose the ball there, I don’t want to get any more abuse.’ It made me question myself as a player.

“If I hadn’t gone on Twitter and read those comments, I would have been in great confidence and great shape and played well, whereas I ended up losing my place in the team.”

There is certainly a palpable divide for Townsend between the fans he encounters in real-life, and those he meets through the screen. “I found that the home

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support, as long as you’re working your hardest for the team, will always back you whether you win lose or draw. We’ve seen countless times at Selhurst Park where we’ve not been winning the game but the crowd has backed us until the end.

“I think the social media fan is completely different to your Season Ticket holders, who will literally back you as long as you’re applying yourself 100%. I remember doing an event at PUMA a few years ago, and every single fan that came up to Steve Parish shook his hand and said: ‘Thank you for

I think the social media fan is completely different to your Season Ticket holders, who will literally back you as long as you’re applying yourself 100%

saving the club, we’re so grateful to have you here.’

“After they left he said: ‘That makes a nice change, because all I get on social media is death threats and people telling me to leave and sell the club!’ So that is the perfect example of your social media fan compared to your Season Ticket holder or your everyday fan on the street. Ever since then it’s helped me put things in perspective if I have a bad game or get abuse, to just remember that there are two different sets of fans.”

While many players leave their social media accounts to PR companies, Townsend is reluctant to lose the direct contact with supporters that social media provides. “I did that a few years ago for a year,” he explains, “but it’s difficult because I think social

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media is there to interact with fans, and if I hand

In five years’ time I hope social media isn’t dead because of it, because there is a lot of positive stuff that comes from social media as well

it over to someone else I lose that aspect of it...

To post stuff, to read supportive comments and have that interaction. It’s a select few ruining it for everyone else. In five years’ time I hope social media isn’t dead because of it, because there is a lot of positive stuff that comes from social media as well.”

Mastering that self-confidence to shut out the ever-growing criticisms in the modern game is something that Townsend has worked hard on, including advocating the use of sports psychologists: “It’s fairly common practise. They give you a better outlook on your situation. As footballers, if I have a bad game, I won’t care about anything else.

“But they know players who have been through your situation, who know the struggles of confidence losses and they know how to get to the other side of it. It’s important when you’re so one-dimensional and focused on your own performance that these guys can help you see the bigger picture. I’m a lot less harsh on myself now.”

It takes some inner belief to navigate the intricacies and upheaval of the loan system as Townsend had to in his early career, playing at nine clubs in four years from the moment he was sent to Yeovil Town as a 17-year old.

“I’d been at Spurs since the age of eight,” he says, “so you’re playing on good pitches, you get your food cooked after for you, and everything is like a perfect world. Then we got the call one day and that afternoon we were travelling down to Yeovil. They were in League One so it was a massive, massive culture shock.”

Alongside fellow loanee Jonathan Obika, Townsend bought an electric stove for his flat so the pair could cook the nutritional meals that weren’t on offer at the club. “We had it drummed

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into us at an early age at Spurs that you always have to do the right thing, no matter what anyone else around you is doing.

“I’m very lucky that during each of my loans I progressed, whether it was higher in the table in the same league or in a different league. I was always slowly building my confidence, building my ability, and when I went back to training after each loan I was that little bit stronger and that little bit more confident.

“Eventually I ended up at the age of 22 breaking into the first-team, but all these loans were the building blocks to the end goal. I look back now and I had the perfect path. There were times when I did get frustrated and I wanted to go, but I stayed the path and ended up living the dream.”

Nine clubs meant a variety of coaches, none more famous for their discipline than Townsend's manager at Ipswich Town: “I’ve always had demanding coaches that wouldn’t accept mediocrity – even in the youth team. So whenever anyone asks me about Roy Keane, I’ll always say I loved his approach. I loved the way he didn’t accept players not giving their all or not being good enough.

“Whereas other managers sugarcoat it, not wanting to upset the player, Roy Keane would tell you exactly how it is and I always appreciate that because I grew up with that. But I was lucky that it wasn’t a culture shock, because I’ve seen lads buckle under that sort of strong mindset. I was on the end of a few home truths, but it made me stronger because of it.”

But the game is changing, and Townsend accepts that a focus only on discipline is no longer sustainable; players thrive when their personal side is nurtured too. “You always have to be constructive, whereas maybe Roy Keane stepped over the line on one or two occasions,” he explains.

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other managers sugarcoat it, not wanting to upset the player, Roy Keane would tell you exactly how it is and I always appreciate that because I grew up with that main interview

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“At the end of the day, if you’re

to take charge of a side in Premier League history.

giving someone criticism or telling

“We were fortunate in my age group. Take Ryan

someone to do something, you want

Mason for example – it’s one of the main reasons he

them to improve. Nowadays with

got the manager’s job at Spurs. He’s been shaped as

player power, managers can’t be

a human by his coaches from a young age, so he can

as strong as they were with Roy

now go in and manage a Premier League side. I think

Keane. Which is why I appreciate

it’s underrated, the human side of coaching.”

that line between good and bad,

From behind a screen, footballers can often

and I like people who are honest

seem aloof: untouchably heroic when playing well,

but can make you look in the mirror

yet a fair target for such implacable abuse when

and see what you can improve.”

things go wrong. Townsend confirms that the truth

It’s why, of all the managers and coaches throughout his career,

is far less exotic: they are human beings like the rest of us.

there are two whose influence Townsend cites as crucial. “I was very lucky. We had Alex Inglethorpe [then Spurs’ Academy manager] and John McDermott [Head of Player Development], and both of them would coach you nine to five, but on your way home they would call you or always be texting you.

“Sometimes speaking about football, sometimes just speaking about life: how you’re doing in school, how’s the family, how you are feeling in general. That was massive – I’d never had that before.

It had always been: you go in, you train. But these guys did care about

I still speak to those coaches today because they care about you as a person, it wasn’t just about getting you in the first-team and helping their stats or their reputation.

It was about shaping the man as well

you as a human being.

“I still speak to those coaches today because they care about you as a person, it wasn’t just

Every player’s personal battle, then, is to keep

about getting you in the first-team

those scales finely balanced: interact with fans

and helping their stats or their

while ignoring the abuse; take criticism on board

reputation. It was about shaping the

without losing confidence; accept setbacks as

man as well.”

something to overcome.

Townsend points to his former club’s current manager, the youngest

It’s a tough fight but it’s one that Andros Townsend is certainly winning.

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Behind the lens

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copers cope

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

for SPORT

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

darren ambrose

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Eradicating the ESL Obviously everything’s changed now that those involved have pulled out of the European Super League, but my initial thoughts were like everyone else. It was a massive few days for football

racism and inequality, the power of the people would work again because they need to be eradicated. Let’s use this energy and move forward against all forms of inequality.

because the owners of these clubs have shown

A tough afternoon

no care or love for the game, for its history, for

Manchester City are having a tremendous

their sides; it was pure greed.

season. They’ll want to wrap up the league as

The likes of David Jones, Jamie Carragher

quickly as possible now; it would take a miracle

and Gary Neville on Monday Night Football were

for United and a disaster for City for anything else

outstanding and they said what everyone wanted

to happen. At one point, they were 4/1 to win the

to say. They were then backed by the media

quadruple, which is ridiculous, but I’d have liked

and supporters and we saw that fan power was

to have seen an English club do it. Winning four

massive in taking this proposal down. The owners

major trophies is such a hard task.

own clubs and put a lot of money into them,

I faced City with Palace back in an 09/10

but you can’t take away history from the fans.

League Cup game and they were incredible

That’s what they were trying to do and it’s been

players even then, right at the start of their

squashed. I can’t say how happy I am.

transformation. You could see the project they had which has come to fruition now. It’s a privilege to have played against a team like that at the start of things. But Palace won’t be looking

Let’s use this energy and move forward against all forms of inequality

at this game in awe of what Man City are today: they’ll want to put a dent in their points total.

That’s what every footballer wants: to play the best teams and the best players and cause them trouble. Hopefully Palace can do that.

was Steve Parish, who was absolutely brilliant.

Gone for good?

No way, José

He was the first owner of a football club to come

No one can take away what José Mourinho has

out and sink his teeth into it and explain why this

done for this league and I really admire him as a

was awful for football. He spoke very eloquently

manager. It hasn’t gone well for him at Tottenham

both before and after it ended. I know Steve and

and I’m sure he’d say that himself, but it’s not all

class him as a friend now – he was my former

down to the manager. I’ve always felt that – even

Chairman – and I thought he was a credit to

as a player. The manager gets all the stick and

Crystal Palace Football Club.

But however fantastic the reaction to the European Super League was, if the energy everyone brought to that was used against

eventually loses his job, but the players didn’t do

One figure who stood out in their opposition

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him much justice this season.

I’ve no doubt he’ll be back in management for a top, top club but I’m not too sure that will

27 be in the Premier League. You’ve got to look at who he’s managed already. Will he go to Man City? I doubt it very much. Will he go to Arsenal from Tottenham? Will he be willing to take a mid-Premier League club?

A manager like Mourinho wants to be at a top club – so I’m not sure he would. All I know is we haven’t seen the last of him: he is football and you couldn’t imagine it without José Mourinho.

I remember meeting José in the Malaysia Cup with Newcastle. He was only starting out then and was seeing Sir Bobby Robson between matches. I’ve been in a room with a few people where you can sense their presence before you see them: Sir Bobby and José were exactly that. When Sir Bobby walked in to a room, you knew he’d arrived and everyone was in awe. Mourinho had that too, even at a young age. It was a privilege to meet men like that in football.

Hats off to Paddy

I always knew he’d become a great coach because he was always vocal – sometimes too vocal!

Palace’s Under-18s are flying high this season and that’s absolutely brilliant from my former captain, Paddy McCarthy. I always knew he’d become a great coach because he was always vocal – sometimes too vocal! – but he was always professional, always demanded more from his players and it looks like he’s doing exactly the same in this early managerial career.

It will be an outstanding achievement if these young boys manage to win the league. I won the Under-18s League against Newcastle and, when you’re a kid, you feel on top of the world with a trophy to your name. It doesn’t do your future any harm, either. It would be a brilliant achievement for everyone at the football club for Palace to win, so I wish them all the best.

darren ambrose

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today’s mascots

james age: 13

Frankie age: 13

Joseph age: 11

Alice age: 4

Junior EAgles

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Easter Extravaganza During the Easter holidays, Palace for Life Foundation ran a free two-week programme for children from local schools. Children invited included those on free school meals and the children of key workers.

They were given a free hot lunch every day, and participated in a range of activities delivered by both Palace for Life coaches and external partners, including Raw Tennis, Surrey Cricket, Laser tag, Dance and Einstein Entertainers science workshops!

Crystal Palace’s Jack Butland also made a virtual appearance for a question and answer session.

Guess who

Badge jumble

Can you guess the four players from today’s

Can you work out four of Scott Dann’s previous

opponents in the below face mash-up?

clubs from the mixed-up badges?

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wordsearch

spot the difference

Can you find the six hidden football-themed

Can you find the five differences in these

words below?

two Palace pictures?

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Six words to find:

Guardiola, Etihad, Townsend, Jesus, City, Citizens.

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

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Guess Who: 1 John Stones 2 Riyad Mahrez 3 Raheem Sterling

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manchest match preview After victory in the EFL Cup final last weekend and with a place in the Champions League final up for grabs against Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City are still in with a chance of ending the season with three pieces of silverware.

They have put a disappointing FA Cup exit to Chelsea behind them, and battled to victory over Aston Villa in their last league outing despite being reduced to 10 men in the first-half.

With Manchester United’s draw at Leeds United last weekend edging City ever closer to the title, they could be crowned champions this weekend with victory at Selhurst Park, should their neighbours fall to defeat at home to Liverpool on Sunday.

Palace will be determined to stop that from happening, and having prevented United from winning in south London last month, will hope for a similarly dogged display against Pep Guardiola’s men.

As they close in on another Premier League title, Daniel Storey analyses how City might balance their Premier League and Champions League commitments on Page 44 and you can test your knowledge of the visitors on Page 47!

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Pep Guardiola:

We don't have even one midweek off. No player can do that and be ready mentally every game. So I rotate them and I am a genius when we win and, when we lose, it’s my fault! recent outings

1-2

w {a) 21.04.21

1-0

l {n) 17.04.21

1-2

w {a) 14.04.21

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ter city premier league wins

all-timers David Silva

214

Sergio Agüero

184

Fernandinho

169

Vincent Kompany

167

181

Raheem Sterling

77

Yaya Touré

62

David Silva

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premier league goals

Sergio Agüero

last time out 13 02 03 14 27 25 08 26 17 07 47

Steffen Walker Dias Laporte Cancelo Fernandinho Gündogan Mahrez De Bruyne Sterling Foden

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14

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opposition

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player profile

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Age

31

Height

1.88m

Joined

1st June, 2017

Debut

12th August, 2017 v Brighton

PREVIOUS CLUBS: Ribeirão, Rio Ave & Benfica

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Ederson POSITION: GOALKEEPER NATIONALITY: BRAZIL

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Uniquely composed goalkeeper Ederson had played just 149 senior matches when joining City as the world’s then-second-most expensive goalkeeper of all time. Stepping in immediately as Pep Guardiola’s first

Kyle Walker

Rúben Dias

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL

choice, the Brazil international

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has justified his pricetag repeatedly, and now looks like something of a bargain.

141 apps 69 clean sheets official matchday programme

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John Stones

Nathan Aké

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: NETHERLANDS

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11

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Oleksandr Zinchenko

Aymeric Laporte

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: UKRAINE

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: FRANCE

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41 apps 17 clean sheets

27 08 João Cancelo

Benjamin Mendy

ilkay Gündogan

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: FRANCE

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: GERMANY

POSITION: DEFENDER NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL

player profile

Cancelo’s senior career began at just 18 when he made his

Age

26

Height

1.82m

friendly. The right-back swiftly

Joined

7th August, 2019

moves to Valencia and Juventus

Debut

25th August, 2019 v AFC Bournemouth

Benfica debut in a first-team gained attention and earned before settling in England.

This season, he has been one of the most consistent names on City’s teamsheet, embodying Pep Guardiola’s

PREVIOUS CLUBS:

reinvention of the role.

Benfica, Valencia & Juventus

opposition

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Rodrigo

Kevin De Bruyne

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: SPAIN

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: BELGIUM

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66 apps 55 wins

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Fernandinho

Phil Foden

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: PORTUGAL

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: BRAZIL

POSITION: MIDFIELDER NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

player profile

Bernardo Silva

Age

20

Height

1.71m

Joined

Academy – aged four

Debut

21st November, 2017 v Feyenoord

Just 20-years-old, Foden already has six England caps to his name and has made over 100 domestic appearances.

Following the midfielder’s debut in 2017 (aged 17), Guardiola said: “It's a long time since I saw something like this.

His performance was another level… for us, he’s a gift.”

ENGLAND CAPS: Iceland, Ireland, Iceland, San Marino, Albania, Poland

official matchday programme

07

player profile

39

Age

26

Height

1.7m

Joined

14th July, 2015

Debut

10th August, 2015 v West Brom

PREVIOUS CLUB: Liverpool

09

Raheem Sterling POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: ENGLAND

10

Another talent whose career began exceptionally early, Sterling made his Liverpool debut aged 17 and his immensely scrutinised move to City at just 20.

Since joining, Sterling has become more central to the City team season on season

Gabriel Jesus

Sergio Agüero

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: BRAZIL

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: ARGENTINA

21

– reaching a peak in 2019/20 when he netted 31 goals from 52 appearances.

286 apps 95 goals

26

Ferran Torres

Riyad Mahrez

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: SPAIN

POSITION: FORWARD NATIONALITY: ALGERIA

opposition

40

#31

#31

Guaita

Ederson

player comparison

Age 31

position Goalkeeper

nationality ESP

Age 27

position Goalkeeper

nationality bra

apps

clean sheets

Assists

apps

clean sheets

Assists

0

2

Accurate long balls

Passes per match

Saves

Punches

High claims

Accurate long balls

Passes per match

69

High claims

141

Punches

24

Saves

86

270

54

43

542

25.07

237

34

60

533

25.5

official matchday programme

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#02

#02

Ward

Walker

player comparison

Age 31

position Defender

nationality eng

Age 30

position Defender

nationality eng

apps

Clean sheets

Tackles

apps

Clean sheets

Tackles

Clearances off line

Cross accuracy

Duels won

Interceptions

Goals

76%

Goals

107

Interceptions

314

Duels won

79%

Cross accuracy

50

Clearances off line

218

4

18%

1,290

393

4

4

17%

1,592

512

8

opposition

42

officialLOCK matchday programme

EXPLODE

PLAY

43

Palace have lost 13 of their last 17 Premier League meetings with Man City (W2 D2), failing to score on 10 occasions in that run

41

Manchester City are unbeaten in their last five Premier League away games against Crystal Palace (W4 D1), since a 2-1 defeat in April 2015

37 2

1

season so far

34

69

GOALS

268 519 SHOTS

26

60

54

24

EXPECTED GOALS

GOALS CONCEDED

40

12

64

AVERAGE POSSESSION %

50

24

EXPECTED GOALS AGAINST

13

5

SHOT CONVERSION RATE %

5

POINTS GAINED AFTER TRAILING

7

17

CLEAN SHEETS

12

7

POINTS DROPPED AFTER LEADING

goal times time

SCORED

CONCEDED

time

SCORED

CONCEDED

0-15

8

11

0-15

10

4

16-30

6

9

16-30

16

2

31-45

5

3

31-45

11

5

46-60

4

11

46-60

12

5

61-75

5

5

61-75

8

3

76-90

6

15

76-90

12

5

opposition

44

what’s the storey @danielstorey85

off and defeat at Selhurst Park

City are looking to identify

may cause a damaging loss

flaws in the opposition’s marking

of confidence. Team selection

in the final third. When they are

becomes a balancing act.

identified, the passing quickens

One pattern to Manchester

up as attacking midfielders

City of late has been Guardiola’s

move into space to receive

preference for using attacking

and exchange possession.

midfielders in the front three in

Overlaps are the key to City’s

Columnist Daniel Storey can be

City’s biggest games, leaving out

attacking plan. Their signature

heard on The Totally Football Show

his usual recognised strikers in

move is to get the ball to a player

and seen in the Irish Examiner, the

favour of a collection of false nine

near the byline, wide of the goal.

i paper and many more.

forwards who can take turns to

That player then seeks out a

play in the most advanced central

player in the box, either finding

role. Against Borussia Dortmund

space or running from deeper

in the Champions League quarter-

to provide an option, who then

finals, he picked Kevin De Bruyne,

has a relatively simple chance.

Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden and

That plays out in the numbers:

Manchester City’s owners have

then Mahrez, Foden and Bernardo

City have scored 69 goals in

made no secret of their ambitions

Silva as the attacking trio.

the league this season but only

Does Guardiola pick his first-choice XI? to win the Champions League

But with changes likely,

eight of them have come from outside the penalty area.

and, for the first time in five

we may see the opposite

years, they have reached the

here. If Sergio Agüero is fit,

semi-finals. Today’s fixture falls

we may well see a front three

that City stick to this plan

between their first and second

including him, Gabriel Jesus

because it works - they are so

leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

and Raheem Sterling. It’s fair

well-drilled in their attacking

With only a small number of

to say that Guardiola has a

moves that it is very difficult

points required for them to

multitude of attacking options.

to thwart it. Guardiola’s side

confirm their Premier League Pep Guardiola making a large

But the style won’t change…

number of changes to his team.

Whoever Guardiola picks, we

title, that raises the possibility of

But that’s not guaranteed.

can be sure of Manchester

And it goes without saying

have had the most shots, created the most chances and scored the most goals in the Premier League this season.

Guardiola made eight changes

City’s style. They rank first

for Manchester City’s recent

in the Premier League for

fixture against Leeds United and

passes, successful passes

Does Gündogan step up as an attacking force?

City lost the game. Guardiola

and possession. They look to

It was one of the most startling

will be acutely aware of the

pass the ball slowly around

goalscoring runs in Premier

need to maintain momentum

their defenders and holding

League history. Between

for the second leg; it is not as

midfielders, but this is not merely

December 15th and March 20th,

easy as turning a tap on and

passing for its own sake.

İlkay Gündoğan scored 14 goals

official matchday programme

45

never before managed more than six goals in a league season in his career for City. It says a lot about the universality and fluidity of City’s attack that Gündoğan is their top league goalscorer (with a threegoal margin) having never before managed more than six goals in a league season in his career.

Gündoğan stepped up in the absence of De Bruyne; he scored six times in as many matches when the Belgian was out injured. The theory is that without De Bruyne to play the through balls between the lines and the whipped crosses into the box that he specialises in, City relied upon that signature attacking move even more than player who made the late run into the box. His previous lack of goalscoring threat meant that he was often left as the free man by opposition defenders.

This is interesting because De Bruyne now has another injury that will keep him out of the game at Selhurst Park, and so City may again revert to this same plan. Palace must be aware of Gündoğan picking up the ball on the edge of the box.

See his brilliant curled goal in the reverse fixture for details.

A chance on the counter It isn’t easy to attack Manchester City. Unless you catch them on an extreme off day, they will dominate possession and territory. Defending for long periods of the match can dissuade opponents from attacking efficiently when they do get the ball. For all City’s attacking dominance, their defensive numbers are also superb: they’re the best in the Premier League for shots faced, shots on target faced and goals conceded.

But there is a way, as Leeds United demonstrated recently. You must defend stoutly, get a little good fortune along the way and, when their attacks break down, you must commit to swift counter attacks that aim to create overloads in the Manchester City half.

Fortune favours the brave.

daniel storey

Statistics correct as of April 27th

usual. Gündoğan became the

146 LIVE GAMES 46

47

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

01

06 True or false: Sun Jihai played for Crystal

Kit Symons played for one other club between

Palace in the Premier League

turning out for the Citizens and the Eagles.

Who was it?

02

07 Who did Emmanuel Adebayor score his only

Which season saw Eddie McGoldrick named

goal for Palace against?

as Palace’s Player of the Year?

08

03 Which former Palace and City player’s career

Simon Rodger reunited with former Palace

included spells with West Ham United,

manager Steve Coppell at which club?

Wimbledon and Coventry City?

09 I played for today’s opponents, I ended

04

my career at Carlisle United, I’ve had two

Who did Crystal Palace sign John Burridge

caretaker manager spells at Tottenham

from?

Hotspur and I finished Palace’s top scorer at the end of the 1980/81 season. Who am I?

05 Danny Granville represented both

10

Manchester City and the south Londoners,

Who scored the Citizens’ own goal when

but for which side did he make the most

Palace dramatically claimed at 2-2 draw at the

appearances?

Etihad Stadium last season?

answers 6 Fulham 7 1991/92 8 Brighton & Hove Albion 9 Clive Allen 10 Fernandinho 1 False 2 Watford 3 Michael Hughes 4 Aston Villa 5 Crystal Palace opposition quiz

48

49

fantasy dinner party

raquel welch & kim basinger Obvious reasons: they’re the two most beautiful actresses ever seen.

This week, former Palace man of just three appearances, Tony Gale, goes retro with his choices.

tiger woods He’s the top golfer of all time and just to sit and have dinner with him would be great.

Seve Ballesteros Another hero of mine.

bobby moore I had the pleasure of cleaning his boots at Fulham as his apprentice. I took over from him when he retired, played in the No.6

ony ale

shirt for Fulham and West Ham and then took over from him at Capital Gold Radio.

fantasy dinner party

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51

Over the road at Copers Cope

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

over the road at copers cope

52

F

or most people, the last few months have dragged on. But for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, things have

changed more quickly than he could ever have imagined. First-team training?

Tick. First professional contract? Tick.

First inclusion in a Premier League squad? Tick, tick, tick. And that’s all since March.

After taking some time to find his feet this season, he has become a crucial part of Paddy McCarthy’s highflying Under-18s side, who are still in the hunt for the league title. “It’s an exciting few months for the team collectively,” he says, “but we just want to make sure that we take one game at a time, and focus on each game as it comes.

Hopefully we can be champions by the end of the year.”

While winning the league would be hugely impressive in their first season as a Category 1 Academy, Palace’s main objective for the young sides will always be to give players a pathway to the first-team. In that respect, Rak-Sakyi is a shining example of where hard work can take you.

“Everything happened so quickly,” he says. “I was amazed at how quickly I’ve been progressing. It’s all thanks to the coaches that have been helping me and advising me to get to this point, so I’m really grateful to them.”

It’s one thing to aim to be called up to first-team training, but it’s another to perform when you’re there. “I felt really nervous at the start,” Rak-Sakyi admits.

“But I knew this was where I wanted to be, so I just had to push the nerves

official matchday programme

Everything happened so quickly, I was amazed at how quickly I’ve been progressing

53

away and do what I normally do to get

Messi were the big ones. They just excite me

comfortable around these players.

every time I watch them. They made me fall in

“You can get starstruck when you

love with the game.” He’s even made up his mind

see the players who have been playing

on the debate between the two: “I’d probably go

in the Premier League for years, and

with Messi if I had to!”

you know that’s where you want to be.

But in moulding his game as he gets older,

But at the end of the day, you have to

Rak-Sakyi has looked much closer to home. “I

just stay calm and focus on your game.

like to describe myself as a creative, intelligent

“They’re really welcoming. They

player,” he says. “I’d like to play like Eberechi

help me by telling me to be comfortable,

Eze. We have a similar playing style and play in a

not to be afraid. Obviously, I’m here for a

similar position, and it’s been good that I’ve been

reason, so they just tell me to keep doing

with him and learning what he does. I’ve been

what I’ve been doing in the Academy.”

applying that to my game as well.

To head across the road to first-

“He’s been really supportive of me. I’ve

team training was significant, but

been speaking to him quite a lot. We really

playing at Selhurst Park is another

bond together because we come from similar

important landmark, albeit with the

backgrounds, so it’s good to know that you have

Under-23s side. “It was my first time

someone there to talk to you, and someone there

playing there,” Rak-Sakyi says. “It was

to support you.”

a really good experience, knowing that this is where you want to be playing every week, and getting used to that first-team environment.”

Rak-Sakyi was part of a side that included four first-team players. “It was good because I’ve trained with them so I know them quite a bit,” he explains. “I know how they want to play. JeanPhilippe Mateta is obviously a big lad, so it’s good to know where he wants the

You can get starstruck when you see the players who have been playing in the Premier League for years, and you know that’s where you want to be

ball, how he wants it, and to get crosses into the box.

“They’re very demanding on the

After ticking off so many of his ambitions in recent weeks, Rak-Sakyi is still looking forwards.

pitch, but I think it’s good. You know the

“The next step will be getting on the pitch

intensity that they work at. They work at

hopefully. I think that would be the best feeling I

a high level and you’ve got to make sure

have had. It’s what I’ve been wanting to do since I

you match their standards.”

was a little kid, so I would love that.”

Growing up Rak-Sakyi’s footballing

At the rate he’s going, you wouldn’t bet

idols were no surprise. “When I was

against seeing Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in a Palace

a kid, [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel]

shirt sooner rather than later.

over the road at copers cope

55

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

This week, Vice Chair of the Crystal Palace Park Trust, Philip Kolvin, explains how the park has transformed into one of England’s most indemand concert venues for some of the country’s largest events.

Voices of south london

56

“W

hen I went for the interview,

A Queen’s Counsel and published author day-to-

they said: ‘Why do you want

day, Philip became involved in a movement to prevent

to do this?’, Philip Kolvin says,

building atop the ridge in the 1990s and then, five

remembering the day he applied to join the Crystal

years ago, noticed the London Borough of Bromley

Palace Park Trust. “I said: ‘Because this is the last

advertising for members of the newly formed Crystal

really important challenge of my life.’”

Palace Park Trust.

Philip, today Vice-Chair of the Trust, has a

Naturally, he applied, succeeded, and began

passion for Crystal Palace that’s impossible to

building an organisation fit to become responsible

curb. Born in Newcastle, this adoptive south

for the upkeep and management of Crystal Palace

Londoner moved to the capital in 1987 and his

Park. Until that point, however, the Trust would have

affection for the area was almost instant. He and

no legal interest or serious funding – roughly a million

his wife pledged to never live beyond sight of the

pounds a year to maintain the park in the manner they

Crystal Palace transmitter.

felt necessary.

“It’s been a presence for my whole adult life,”

They didn’t want to wait. Philip explains: “We

Philip explains. “That transmitter sits on the highest

were impatient to get going but we had no money,

tree-lined ridge in London. I’ve had a love of that ridge

and having no money meant we couldn’t really do

in Crystal Palace for 34 years.

anything - we couldn’t employ anybody.

“When you walk onto Crystal Palace Park

“The beauty of this park compared to other

and see the sphynxes and terraces, it’s like

parks is there are lots of different spaces. You can

you’ve stumbled upon the pyramids or something.

run events in one part of the park without necessarily

Something amazing happened here and the idea

dominating other parts. But nonetheless we had to

of being part of the revival of that place culturally,

raise a lot of money from events. So, what are our

historically, ecologically, recreationally, a place for

choices? We’ve either got to run events constantly

kids and to look down across London and Kent, I just

so that every time you come to the park you run into

find it really exciting and invigorating.”

fencing, being excluded from part of the park, or we have to attract some big events that come only in one hit.

“So we built what we thought was a really credible events policy to rival and compete with any other green space in London. Then with that policy we didn’t wait for people to come to us, we went out and built a story around the park.

“Very quickly the word got around that Crystal Palace is a place where things are happening. We were getting calls and it grew and grew until we were fielding calls from the biggest promoters in the world… From the park being almost derelict in terms of events, we suddenly had a selection process. The people we’ve ended up with are fantastic organisations.”

official matchday programme

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We hope to restore Crystal Palace to south London’s finest park This summer, pandemic permitting, Crystal Palace Park will host Wireless – London’s largest annual music festival – and South Facing, a new event held over a month at the historic and soon to be renovated Crystal Palace Bowl, formerly host to artists such as Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, The Cure and many others.

It was also due to host KISSTORY Festival and will have the likes of Dizzee Rascal and The Streets perform this summer. For its first year truly back on the events stage, 2021 has seen several huge coups.

“We’ll have two 50,000 capacity events that will absorb a very large part of our fundraising for the year and we won’t need to be constantly fencing the terraces,” Philip continues passionately. “We’re using some of the Wireless money to refurbish the Crystal Palace Bowl in order to get an income from it.

“The beauty of this is we can run the largest events, we can run middle-sized events, we can run small events and then crucially we hope to have funding to promote community arts within the park.

“Suddenly in events terms we’ve gone from being the poor relation of London parks to being a wonderful venue which can put on everything from tiny, free community events to some of the most important cultural events in London. And [we can put on] everything in-between while funding the ecological restoration of the park.

“We hope to restore Crystal Palace to south London’s finest park.”

With thanks to @cp_park_photographer and www.crystalpalaceparktrust.org.

VOICES OF SOUTH LONDON

58

Individuals can be referred to Palace for Life for support in (but not limited to): •

Becoming more independent.

•

Improving their health and increasing physical activity.

•

palace for life

Raising their aspirations and setting goals in life.

•

Developing social connections.

•

Becoming more employable.

•

Improving their mental health and wellbeing.

Palace for Life Foundation aims to improve the lives of south Londoners through a variety of programmes that focus on creating healthier lives, safer communities and brighter futures for those in our community.

Working closely with partner organisations such as schools, health agencies, and the Met Police, individuals are often referred to Palace

Once referred, the individual will speak

for Life in need of support that

to a member of Palace for Life staff who will

can be delivered through our

explore more about their needs and goals,

programmes and sessions.

and will recommend suitable programmes to

Year on year there is a growing need for these

help achieve them.

Programmes could include the

services. In response to this

Breaking the Cycle and Youth DIVERT

need, the Foundation has

12-week Mentoring Programme, which

created a new online Referral

supports young people who have high

Process and triage system,

risk factors which may cause them to be

which uses staffs’ expertise

vulnerable or at risk to criminal exploitation

to implement or create

and criminal activity.

pathways for individuals

Individuals looking to get more active

specific and realistic to their

could be advised to attend a Premier League

needs and goals.

Kicks session, where young people can take

official matchday programme

59

part in a variety of sports, e-sports and youth hub activities which can lead to volunteering and training opportunities. Adults may be encouraged to join our walking football, Get Involved or women’s recreational sessions.

Those looking to get back into education or further their chances of employment could join the Palace for Life Traineeship, where they will receive workshops and experiences based around workplace training, money management, social action projects and 1-2-1 mentoring.

Referrals can be made by any organisation, including schools, health agencies, the Police,

MARATHON MARCH 2021 5th anniversary

statutory agencies, community organisations and voluntary organisations. They can also be made by families, carers and individuals themselves who feel that they may need access to services provided by Palace for Life.

TO MAKE A REFERRAL: 1. Visit palaceforlife.org/referral-process.

The Palace for Life Marathon March returns for 2021 and for the first time all participants will receive a free training programme!

Join the fifth anniversary Marathon March by visiting palaceforlife.org and searching:

2. Click the ‘Referral Form’ button.

3. Fill out the form, including as much detail as possible.

4. Wait to be contacted by a member of the Palace for Life team.

marathon march 2021 palace for life

READY FOR

SUMMER

GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk

61

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

0-2 Crystal Palace v Man City 19th October, 2019 Premier League

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

This week, Wayne Hennessey calls on a recent clash with today’s opposition in which he

ennessey

picked up the baton for Palace with pride.

Last season I came in against Arsenal away and Manchester City but City was probably my best game. With Vicente [Guaita] playing so well and then getting injured, and me coming straight into the limelight like that, I thought I played really well which I was happy with.

game that changed my career

62 @pnm1979

official matchday programme

63

2015/16 The good, the bad and the ugly: Kit or Miss reviews those desirable gems, those best-forgotten strips and does a bit of market research for those of you looking to snap up some of the Eagles’ iconic shirts.

This week, Christian Benteke models the away kit from 2015/16.

kit or miss

64

2015 p alace’s greatest white kit since the ‘80s? It’s hard to argue

otherwise. This shirt is one of

many from recent years to use a central bar well – with 2012/13, the third kit of 2018/19 and last season’s away strip being other good examples.

But this effort stands out. The overwhelmingly white kit makes the red and blue bars vibrantly pop right the

What we like: It’s simple without being dull. Small touches such as the trim running around the back of the collar, red and blue tabs on the arms and bottoms and thin white strips aside the central bar show this kit to be more minimalist than minimal effort.

way round the collar and down through the shirt.

And – dare we say it – the sponsor adds something here. Mansion’s

Even better if: We’d worn it at Wembley – either time.

grandiose, red and blue logo fits onto this handsome strip well. That said, the end of season sans-sponsor launch was

Wore it best:

impressive, providing a rare glimpse of a

Yohan Cabaye.

brilliant shirt laid bare.

Naturally, some great memories and iconic players in 2015/16 also help boost affection for this kit – making it a real modern success.

Story of the season By now established in the Premier League, Palace had twice ensured their top-flight status and began looking

2016

upwards with Alan Pardew at the helm.

Things started well and Palace sat fifth at the turn of the year – with talk of European football cautiously building. Two points in the first 11 games of 2016 dashed that however and the Eagles sunk to 16th place.

Their league disappointments were offset by a storming FA Cup run, which saw Palace overcome a string

1-2 chelsea √ Crystal Palace 29th August, 2015

of challenging opponents to reach Wembley. Passing Southampton, Stoke City, Tottenham Hotspur, Reading and Watford, the Eagles drew Manchester United in an FA Cup final for the second time.

Needless to say, United again won in extra time and Palace ended the season safe in 15th, the highs of Wembley enough to make the campaign a success.

Where are they now?

White kits have remained a triumph since this effort: 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20 and this season’s strip are all commendable, stylish designs.

The finest hour:

Buyers’ guide:

Having worn the home kit for many of this

Mansion-sponsored kits are fairly easy

season’s top moments, the away strip enjoyed a

to nab online, but this one is a little more

memorable time at Stamford Bridge as the Eagles

elusive. Perhaps that adds to the charm.

trumped Chelsea. Joel Ward nullifying Radamel

But that rarity is relative – it shouldn’t take

Falcao’s late equaliser was a goal to treasure.

you too long to find one for a decent price.

kit or miss

65

66

We’ve made the beer better.

Worth a try? Probably.

Carlsberg Danish Pilsner.

Rebrewed for a crisper taste.

67

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

1990/91 season

68

Manager Steve Coppell had a virtually full squad to choose from, although recent signing Paul Bodin was cup-tied and Phil Barber’s knee injury meant he had played his last game for the club by this point.

Both teams would play in their regular strips but the Eagles would have a change of dressing rooms from last season’s FA Cup final appearances.

The teams emerged from the tunnel to one half of the ground being a seething mass of red and blue as balloons were released into the air, but the first-half

i

was a disappointing affair with numerous nstead of facing Liverpool at Anfield on

stoppages while the Toffees were able to

Grand National weekend, the Eagles

test the Palace defence with a series of

would make the shorter trip to Wembley

crosses from the left. The only threat from

on Sunday, 7th April to face the other

the Eagles came when Ian Wright’s effort

Merseyside club from Division One in the

was headed clear and Andy Gray’s indirect

Zenith Data Systems Cup final.

free-kick was deflected onto the crossbar.

With no restriction on numbers Palace

The second-half was a different story

fans purchased tickets in abundance to

as rain fell to make the turf slippery. Andy

ensure over 35,000 in attendance, probably

Gray had to depart on a stretcher and

outnumbering Everton supporters by two

be replaced by Eddie McGoldrick early

to one.

following a clash of heads with Mike Newell. Midway through the second 45 Palace won a corner and the delivery was a typical routine with John Salako’s cross being flicked on by Eric Young for skipper Geoff Thomas to head home.

However two minutes later Everton were level with Robert Warzycha breaking clear and driving the ball past Nigel Martyn. From then it was end to end as Martyn saved brilliantly from Kevin Ratcliffe and stuck out a boot to deny Tony Cottee while McGoldrick’s cross was headed powerfully by Wright only for Neville Southall to parry the attempt away. Southall then saved an Alan

official matchday programme

69

PALACE: Martyn, Humphrey, Shaw, Gray (McGoldrick 54), Young (Thompson 116), Thorn, Salako, Thomas, Bright, Wright, Salako.

Pardew effort in injury time to take the game into

GEOFF THOMAS

extra time.

Everton began the first period the stronger side but in the 101st-minute Martyn launched a huge clearance downfield where Wright killed the ball, veered away from a defender and shot on the run past Southall. From then on Everton wilted as the Eagles’ fitness shone through and with six minutes remaining Mark Bright flicked on a cross from McGoldrick for John Salako to dive forward and head home across Southall. Two minutes later Wright’s pace again exposed the Everton defenders and, latching on to Bright’s neat touch, left the sullen Southall stranded to sidefoot into the net. Coppell immediately withdrew Young and sent on Garry Thompson, who had ably covered Wright and Bright when they were injured, for the remaining moments.

During the presentation Southall did not collect his memento while there was a thunderous roar when captain Thomas lifted the cup, followed by the team parading in front of the fans that Coppell acknowledged afterwards had ‘turned out in such numbers that it became a home game, which helped enormously’.

Joined from: Crewe Alexandra - May, 1987 Debut: 15th August, 1987 v Huddersfield Town (A) Final Palace game: 8th May, 1993 v Arsenal (A) Left for: Wolverhampton Wanderers - June, 1993 Palace appearances: 249 Palace goals: 35

1990/91 season

padd

70

official matchday programme

m©carth

71

The message to the players now is: ‘Let’s enjoy every last minute of it’. Then what will be, will be

j

esurun Rak-Sakyi getting on the

league table – I know it sounds like a

bench for the first-team was massive

cliché but we’re just taking each game as it

for everybody. It gives that belief

comes. We’ve been consistent and clear in

that if you’re willing to work on the training

our weekly planning: we train properly, we

ground, to work on your game and then to

put the effort in and we play with the right

take your opportunities when they come,

mentality, which means on the front foot

there’s a clear pathway at this football club

and taking the game to the opposition.

for younger players.

That’s always been the case at Crystal

I’m quite happy they’re getting exposed to the scrutiny that comes with

Palace. We’ve had a lot of success in

games being broadcast online, because

getting individuals into the first-team

it gives them a real sense of what it’s

squad, some going on to have international

like at the top. That’s something they’re

careers at the highest level of the game.

going to face throughout their career, and

We believe that if individuals put their mind

having that at this stage is great for their

to it, work hard and focus on development,

development as individuals. They have

the opportunities are here for them.

taken to it really well.

David Omilabu is another who has been

Ultimately, the aim is to get players

exceptional all season – he has taken to

into the first-team. But if they can have

this level like a duck to water. When you

success as a team, it will certainly add to

step up into Category 1 and you’re a proven

their experience as individuals. It’s a great

goalscorer, people are waiting to see if you

level for us as coaches to get a measure of

can recreate that form at the next level.

where our players are at because they’re

David has fitted in seamlessly. Obviously,

playing against international players week

when a player of that importance to all the

in, week out.

groups comes off with an injury as he did

It’s been a really enjoyable first

against Chelsea, it’s a real concern. But

season at this level, and we’re looking

we will look after him and get him back to

forward to the next three games. The

fitness, and hopefully he can play a part

message to the players now is: ‘Let’s

before the end of the season.

enjoy every last minute of it’. Then what

We haven’t spoken a lot about the

will be, will be.

paddy m©carthy

ashleig

72

official matchday programme

goddar

73

I think the biggest thing it taught me was resilience.

On the pitch, it also helped me handle the pressure. I grew as a person from it

t

he advert for ‘Wayne Rooney’s

Don’t get me wrong, I got loads of nice

Street Striker’ came up as a pop-up

comments – but I did get a lot of bad ones

on the computer – it just said to

too. I half-expected it. My parents warned

go to my local Powerleague for a few

me, saying: “Don’t be surprised if people

challenges. Never in a million years did

say you won just because you’re a girl.”

I expect to get anywhere near the TV, let

The truth was, I just hit more targets than

alone win the thing.

anybody else! But I didn’t want to argue, I

I was at Arsenal Academy, and my teammates were laughing at how ridiculous it all was. It just escalated so quickly. It

just had to wait for it all to blow over. I was braced for that.

What I wasn’t braced for were all the

came out just before Christmas. When I

personal ones, calling me “fat” or “ugly”. At

went shopping with my mum, and when we

the time of filming I was just a 17-year old girl,

walked past a Grotto all the kids left Santa

but I became obsessed with the comments.

and came running over to me!

I didn’t tell my family at the time because I

This was 10 or 11 years ago now, so

didn’t want them to have to see it, but I regret

it was before the Women’s Super League

that now. They are my biggest fans, and it

began. Women’s football was not advertised.

would have cushioned the blow for me.

It was almost frowned upon. Soccer AM

I think the biggest thing it taught me was

used to take the micky out of it – although

resilience. On the pitch, it also helped me

they’ve changed now which is brilliant – and

handle the pressure. I played for England at

I remember they came down to one of the

youth level in front of a crowd of 2,000, and I

episodes and said: “Whoever wins, we’ll get

had one of the worst games of my life. It was

them on the show.” But I won and I’m a girl,

such a huge thing for me, and I crumbled

so I never heard from them. I was gutted,

under the pressure. But doing the TV show

because I loved the show.

with Rooney helped me get a handle on it. It’s

We didn’t really have Instagram and Twitter, but the clips were put on YouTube.

something I really enjoyed at the time, and I grew as a person from it.

ashleigh goddard

74

First-team sponsors

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Mamadou Sakho

Wayne Hennessey

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Jeffrey Schlupp

James McArthur

James McCarthy

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Gary Cahill

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official matchday programme

Sep

oct

nov

dec

jan

feb

mar

apr

may

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

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

London Bees

Lewes

Durham

Leicester City

Sheffield United

Bristol City

Coventry United

London Bees

Liverpool

Lewes

London City Lionesses

Leicester City

Durham

Blackburn Rovers

London Bees

Leicester City

Liverpool

Charlton Athletic

Sheffield United

Sun 4

Wed 7

Sun 11

Sun 18

Sun 1

Thu 5

Sun 8

Thu 19

Sun 6

Sun 13

Sun 10

Thu 14

Sun 17

Sun 7

Sun 14

Sun 28

Sun 7

Thu 25

Sun 4

Coventry United

Lewes

Arsenal

Sun 25

Sun 2

Sun 16

London Bees

2-3

Blackburn Rovers

Sun 27

Sun 18

1-1

London City Lionesses

Sat 12

5-2

3-0

0-1

2-0

0-4

6-1

2-1

4-1

2-2

Charlton Athletic

Result

Opposition

Sun 6 Sep oct nov JAN

dec FEB

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

Norwich City Aston Villa Burnley

Fri 25 Fri 2 Mon 19

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

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

Mon 23 Mon 30 Fri 4 Mon 21 Mon 18 Mon 1 Fri 5 Mon 15 Mon 22 Mon 1 Fri 12 Mon 22 Mon 29 Mon 12 Mon 26 Mon 3

0-2

1-0

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

Middlesbrough

2-5

Sunderland

Mon 9

Fri 7

6-0

Reading

Sun 1 3-4

1-4

Wolverhampton Wanderers Leeds United

Mon 26

3-3

West Bromwich Albion

Mon 21

Result

Opposition

Date Sep oct Nov dec Jan feb MAR APR may

MAR APR may

Date

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

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

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

Sat 17 Sat 24 Sat 31 Sat 7 Sat 28 Sat 05 Fri 11 Sat 19 Sat 16 Sat 30 Sat 06 Sat 20 Sat 27 Sat 6 Sat 13 Tue 16 Sat 3 Wed 7 Sat 17 Sat 24 Sat 1

West Bromwich Albion

1-0

Chelsea

Fri 2

Sat 8

3-2

Arsenal

Sat 26

3-0

7-1

1-1

2-1

1-0

2-3

2-1

Southampton

Sat 19

Result

Opposition

Date

75

STATS

May

April

March

February

January

December

November

October

September

Date

Opposition

Result

Position

Sat 12

Southampton

1-0

7th

Tue 15

Bournemouth

0-0

Sat 19

Manchester United

3-1

Sat 26

Everton

1-2

6th

Sat 3

Chelsea

0-4

12th

Sun 18

Brighton & Hove Albion

1-1

14th

Sat 24

Fulham

2-1

8th

Fri 30

Wolverhampton Wanderers

0-2

13th

Mon 8

Leeds United

4-1

8th

Mon 23

Burnley

0-1

11th

Fri 27

Newcastle United

0-2

15th

Sun 6

West Bromwich Albion

5-1

11th

Sun 13

Tottenham Hotspur

1-1

11th

Wed 16

West Ham United

1-1

12th

Sat 19

Liverpool

0-7

13th

Sat 26

Aston Villa

0-3

13th

Mon 28

Leicester City

1-1

13th

Sat 2

Sheffield United

2-0

14th

Fri 8

Wolverhampton Wanderers

0-1

R3

Thu 14

Arsenal

0-0

13th

Sun 17

Manchester City

0-4

13th

Tue 26

West Ham United

2-3

13th

Sat 30

Wolverhampton Wanderers

1-0

13th

Tue 2

Newcastle United

2-1

13th

Sat 6

Leeds United

0-2

13th

Sat 13

Burnley

0-3

14th

Mon 22

Brighton & Hove Albion

2-1

13th

Sun 28

Fulham

0-0

13th

Wed 3

Manchester United

0-0

13th

Sun 7

Tottenham Hotspur

1-4

13th

Sat 13

West Bromwich Albion

1-0

12th

Sat 3

Everton

1-1

12th

Sat 10

Chelsea

1-4

13th

Sat 17

Southampton

PP

13th

Mon 26

Leicester City

1-2

13th

Sat 1

Manchester City

Sat 8

Sheffield United

Tue 11

Aston Villa

Sat 15

Arsenal

Sun 23

Liverpool

official matchday programme

(10-11)

R2 5th

Jordan Ayew

Card Red Card

Cheikhou Kouyaté

Yellow

Scott Dann

Goal(s)

James Tomkins

Unused Sub

Luka Milivojevic

Used Sub

Patrick van Aanholt

Started

Joel Ward

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

Jack Butland

76

1

2

3

4

5

6

8

9

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

77

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

Fixtures & results

78

Club

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD Pts

1

Manchester City

33

24

5

4

69

24

45

77

2

Manchester United

33

19

10

4

64

35

29

67

3

Leicester City

33

19

5

9

60

38

22

62

4

chelsea

33

16

10

7

51

31

20

58

5

West Ham United

33

16

7

10

53

43

10

55

6

liverpool

33

15

9

9

55

39

16

54

7

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

33

15

8

10

56

38

18

53

8

EVERTON

32

15

7

10

44

40

4

52

9

leeds united

33

14

5

14

50

50

0

47

10

ARSENAL

33

13

7

13

44

37

7

46

11

Aston villa

32

13

6

13

46

37

9

45

12

wolverhampton wanderers

33

11

8

14

32

45

-13

41

13

Crystal Palace

32

10

8

14

34

54 -20 38

14

burnley

33

9

9

15

30

45

-15 36

15

Southampton

32

10

6

16

40

58

-18 36

16

newcastle united

33

9

9

15

36

54

-18 36

17

Brighton & Hove Albion

33

7

13

13

33

39

-6

34

18

Fulham

33

5

12

16

25

43

-18

27

19

West Bromwich Albion

33

5

10

18

30

64 -34 25

20

Sheffield United

33

5

2

26

18

56 -38

Gameweek 34

premier league

17

All statistics correct as of 4pm Tuesday 27th April

southampton √ leicester

newcastle √ arsenal

30th April 20:00

2nd May 14:00

crystal palace √ man city

MAN UTD √ liverpool

1st May 12:30

2nd May 16:30

brighton √ leeds

spurs √ sheffield utd

1st May 15:00

2nd May 19:15

chelsea √ fulham

west brom √ wolves

1st May 17:30

3rd May 18:00

everton √ aston villa

burnley √ west ham

1st May 20:00

3rd May 20:15

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

But we can all do more.

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

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

Challenge it.

Report it. Change it.

Crystal palace f.c.

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Kyle WALKER Rúben DIAS John STONES Nathan AKÉ Raheem STERLING İlkay GÜNDOĞAN Gabriel JESUS Sergio AGÜERO Oleksandr ZINCHENKO Zack STEFFEN (GK) Aymeric LAPORTE RODRIGO Kevin DE BRUYNE Bernardo SILVA Ferran TORRES Benjamin MENDY FERNANDINHO Riyad MAHREZ João CANCELO EDERSON (GK) Scott CARSON (GK) Phil FODEN Liam DELAP Eric GARCÍA Felix NMECHA Tommy DOYLE Luke MBETE Cole PALMER Claudio GOMES Adrián BERNABÉ James TRAFFORD (GK)