CPFC v Watford

Crystal Palace v Watford Saturday 7th March 2020 // 3pm

07.03.2020

INSIDE THE PROGRAMME CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD SATURDAY 7TH MARCH 2020 | 3PM K.O.

Directors Steve Parish, Chairman David Blitzer, Joshua Harris Chief Executive Phil Alexander Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director Dougie Freedman Club Secretary

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Christine Dowdeswell Head of Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning

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Scott Guyett Head of Medical Dr. Zaf Iqbal Academy Director Gary Issott

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Director of U23 Development Mark Bright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott Commercial Director Barry Webber Operations Director

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Copers Cope

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Chris Grierson

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Junior Eagles

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Amateur Analysis

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Dom Fifield

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David Omilabu

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Palace XI in Time

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Shaun Derry

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Amy Goddard

Sharon Lacey Head of Consumer Sales Mike Pink Head of Ticketing Paul McGowan Head of Legal David Nichol Head of Content & Production James Woodroof Head of CRM & Campaigns Tom McGuiness

50 Editor Dan Blazer Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas Contributors Ben Mountain, Ian King, Dom Fifield, Chris Waters, Grace Cullen, Chris Grierson Photography Neil Everitt, Seb Frej, Reuters, Pinnacle, Rex Features, Sean Webb Printer Bishops Printers

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ROY HODGSON

What a difference the winter break has made. After such a debilitating festive period, our results were bound to suffer at some point but now the squad seem re-energised, and their continued effort has paid dividends in the last two matches.

Our victory over Newcastle United was thoroughly deserved and, on another day, could have yielded a more comfortable result.

However, collecting three points is a sizeable challenge in this league and I would sooner the team secure a win by fine margins than squander a point in pursuit of a more attractive scoreline.

Our game against Brighton was similar, though we were made to defend a little more frequently, especially towards the end of the game as we protected our 1-0 lead. This type of test is to be expected in an away match, and I feel the team did well to nullify Brighton’s threat. That victory was especially pleasing for us because

the squad and I know how much it means to you, the supporters. For those players who perhaps haven’t featured in a Palace v Brighton match before, seeing the reaction of the visiting support will cement how significant the fixture is to this club and its fanbase.

I hope you enjoyed the victory as much as we did.

Of course, today is another, new and formidable challenge against a Watford side who will feel buoyed by their recent win over Liverpool. Nigel and his team have done well to improve their league standing and victory over Liverpool was, I’m sure, vindication of a lot of hard work.

It certainly produced an excellent performance and no one can contest the fact that Nigel’s team were worthy winners. We have a challenging run of fixtures ahead of us and today will be the first of our final 10 hurdles.

Throughout this time, we will

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continue striving to collect points and push for another strong end to our season.

Turning my attention away from today’s game, I was glad to see the club confirm our participation in a pre-season tour to Australia. Australia is a fantastic, unique country and I was privileged to work out there almost three years ago with Melbourne City, albeit briefly. I am looking forward to returning and hope to meet supporters who have travelled out there to join us and those who live in Australia already.

Finally, today’s match is dedicated to Level Playing Field, a fantastic charity which promotes a positive, inclusive experience for disabled sports fans. I am pleased to see the club continuing to support causes such as this and I welcome Level Playing Field’s representatives to Selhurst Park.

Enjoy the game.

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Welcome to Nigel Pearson, his staff and players and to each and every one of you here supporting Crystal Palace and Watford today. I must also extend that welcome to the owner and Chairman, Gino Pozzo, who, alongside his family, took me, as their coach, to Udinese almost 20 years ago.

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LUKA MILIVOJEVIC

When I wrote my captain’s notes for the Newcastle United programme, I did not realise at that time I would not be taking part in the game.

I’m pleased to say I am back to full strength after my illness and should I be required by the manager and the team today, I will be ready to give my all.

I hate to miss any game, especially one at our home of Selhurst in front of our passionate fans, but I was pleased to see that the team achieved exactly what I knew they would do: an excellent performance and three points.

Patrick’s free-kick. Wow. We had a laugh in training after that game about who will take the set-pieces when I return. It was no surprise to me to see him score a goal in a high-pressure situation - he has done this many times for us: the penalty against West Ham

and the last minute winner against Manchester United.

It shows the level of our performance against Newcastle that, despite the win, there was a bit of disappointment we hadn’t won by more goals – we certainly deserved to. But most important was to earn our first win since Boxing Day. That gave the team added confidence for the big derby game against Brighton. I know I said it was hard not even being involved at Selhurst for Newcastle, but it was even harder being so close to playing against our rivals and having to watch from the bench.

I don’t know what else I can say about this team. That was a typical Palace performance from the boys and one to be proud of. We held them back, defended well and then, as he has done so often, Jordan took his chance – I must also mention

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Christian’s work in the build-up. He has been great since returning from injury.

I loved the team’s celebration with the fans after the game. That bond we have is special and one that helps us throughout the season. Every win is for you, but especially that one.

Today we face a Watford side we know can be dangerous from our own experience. We have also beaten teams like Liverpool when no one expected us to whilst facing relegation - we know the league table doesn’t always reflect an opponent’s ability correctly, and they’re dangerous opponents.

With two victories and clean sheets in a row, though, we are in a confident mood and know we have more than enough to score the required goals and deal with their attacking threats of Ismaïla Sarr and Troy Deeney.

Make some noise!

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After the enjoyment of our tour in Switzerland in the summer, the squad are excited about heading to Australia. It will be great to meet our worldwide fans, play in these different stadiums and create new experiences.

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STEVE PARISH

What a difference a couple of wins make! It’s fair to say the victories over Newcastle and Brighton have lifted everyone’s spirits, and we now find ourselves with the highest points tally by some margin versus our previous Premier League campaigns at this point of the season. It’s an incredibly congested table with absolutely nothing guaranteed, and we will continue to take each game as it comes.

Jordan’s fantastic goal after Christian’s forward burst in front of our incredible away supporters on the south coast will live long in the memory. You could tell what that goal meant to all the players - seeing and hearing their reactions and of course what it meant to every Palace fan lucky enough to witness it in the stadium, and I’m sure those watching on TV, too. Nothing beats a win away at your biggest rivals!

In both games, every single player gave their all, digging in and showing that true Palace spirit. Your support was also incredible so all told it was a fantastic day.

Elsewhere this week, it was great to see Mamadou step up his return to fitness with the U23s on Monday, with an emphatic win over Colchester United, and I’m sure everyone reading this will be looking forward to seeing him back in the first-team setup soon.

Away from on-pitch matters, you will have probably seen we’re heading to Queensland, Australia, in July for our main pre-season tour.

The two stadiums in Townsville and Brisbane look absolutely magnificent, and it’s great to have the tour confirmed so early in March so we can make the most of the opportunity, and hopefully give many of you the chance to plan the trip of

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a lifetime. With these two games, and given our connections with two Australian greats in Mile Jedinak and Tony Popovic, it’s a great chance for us to hopefully build on our fan base in the country.

Today we face a Watford side who produced probably the result of the season by toppling Liverpool last week. Matches between Watford and Palace are notoriously competitive affairs, and given our respective league positions, I’ve no doubt it will be extremely close once again.

I know you’ll be in high spirits off the back of two excellent wins, and I hope that energy and positivity here at Selhurst Park motivates the players even more as we look to make it three wins on the spin.

Up the Palace.

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Welcome to the supporters, players, staff and directors of Watford F.C. and as always welcome to each and every Palace fan here today to get behind Roy’s team.

Jordan Ayew collected his ninth Man of the Match award of the season against Newcastle United. Here, the striker sits down with Dan Blazer to talk the differences between last season and this, Jeffrey Schlupp and more.

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Season contenders – a lot has changed for our top scorer from the one who spent last season on loan in SE25.

Ayew is honest in his appraisal, he knows last season could’ve gone better: “Last season was last season, and in football some seasons are just like that,” he says. “It wasn’t the best season for me; I came with the aim of helping the team but the players that were starting were doing really, really

in Ayew’s actions and comments throughout our interview: “First of all I’d want to thank my teammates and coaching staff for having the faith in me this season.”

The next line encapsulates what the Palace fans no doubt say about our No.9 in the stands: “Every time I go on the pitch I look to fight for this team, for these colours and I try to do my best,” he reflects.

In Roy Hodgson’s setup, one of

“ I FELT SETTLED AT THIS FOOTBALL CLUB AND I STILL FEEL SETTLED, AND MY FAMILY FEEL SETTLED IN LONDON. I WANTED TO KEEP GOING HERE BECAUSE OF THE FANS, TOO, AND FOR SOME STABILITY IN MY CAREER. ” well so it was difficult [to get a start].”

He continues: “I kept on working hard and working hard, and the manager wanted to keep me – that was a huge positive for me [to hear].

I wanted to stay, I felt settled at this football club and I still feel settled, and my family feel settled in London.

I wanted to keep going here because of the fans, too, and for some stability in my career.”

There’s a clear humility – an endearing embarrassment at the focus on him – that comes across

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the hardest working positions is the striker – a role epitomised by the club’s historic victory at Old Trafford in August, a game in which Ayew was tasked with dropping deep and hindering the influence of Paul Pogba as the Red Devils’ playmaker.

“I just want to do the best for the team,” he reiterates as we put it to him that perhaps, outside of SE25, the player behind the wondergoal against West Ham United on Boxing Day, doesn’t earn the praise he warrants in the wider footballing sphere.

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You would be forgiven for thinking that Palace’s Jordan Ayew had been given an extended winter break after tweeting: “Great day at the seaside with my friends. Thank you for the amazing support.”

The tweet arrived nearly 24 hours after Crystal Palace overcame bitter rivals Brighton & Hove Albion in their own backyard and made Premier League history by becoming the first side to win on February 29th.

It was one of those tweets that cuts through everything. From the analysis to the post-match reaction to the Man of the Match vote: Jordan Ayew had encapsulated the mood of the club in less than 140 characters.

It’s amusing reading Ayew’s tweet after our interview with him – a tweet that betrays the humble, media savvy quotes he delivered reflecting on the victory down by the seaside: “I think Christian did everything!” he begins. “Christian did a fantastic job.

Christian saw me and gave me the ball and I just tried to put it in.”

Naturally, it’s easier for goalscorers to grab a headline, but Ayew isn’t done at only praising his strike partner – this was a team effort. He adds: “It was a really good game from our centre-backs and our full-backs and the midfield as well. I think everyone gave a shift and everyone gave a really good game today. It was a real team performance.”

Scoring at Old Trafford, settling derbies and scoring Goal of the

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Nonplussed, Ayew continues: “As long as the manager and my teammates know my qualities and know the work that I put in, then the rest does not bother me. I just want to win, that’s the important thing.”

And win he does, with the Ghana international’s goals directly handing the Eagles 12 points in the league this season – 14 if you include draws – so it is no surprise that Ayew has a team-leading nine Man of the Match awards so far.

Reading too much in to things, we pose the question that Ayew winning the fan-voted gong for both matches against Newcastle United is a suggestion that he has ‘insider info’ on his former manager, Steve Bruce.

“It’s just a coincidence,” he rejects our suggestion, smiling “I was only with him for three months – it didn’t really happen for me at Villa at that time; I had to move on. But Steve is a good manager and deserves to be in the Premier League.”

Both performances against the Magpies saw Ayew play on the righthand side of a three, with Christian Benteke chosen through the middle.

But as displayed earlier in the season, Ayew is more than capable of playing in either of those positions.

“The manager and the players know that anywhere the manager puts me I will give 100% and I have no problem with that,” Ayew instantly shuts down any inkling that he has a preferred position. “Whether I’m on the right, on the left or I am upfront

or No.10, I don’t mind, I just love the game, I just want to be on the pitch and give 100%.”

Whatever position Ayew plays in Palace’s remaining 10 Premier League games you’d back the forward to be amongst the goals – the strike against Brighton equalled the former Marseille player’s second-best ever goal return in the league.

The 12 for Lorient is in sight. It’s

“ WHETHER I’M ON THE RIGHT, ON THE LEFT OR I AM UPFRONT OR NO.10, I DON’T MIND, I JUST LOVE THE GAME, I JUST WANT TO BE ON THE PITCH AND GIVE 100% ”

a time which clearly Ayew has fond memories of – almost thanking us for giving him an excuse to relive that season: “Sylvain Ripoll played to my strengths,” he offers an explanation as to why the 2014/15 Ligue 1 season remains his sole double-digit haul in the league. “Sylvain made the players play for me and allowed me to use my pace in behind. I’d say they were a team a bit similar to Swansea City, as in they keep the ball: pass, pass, pass.

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“It was a team that basically played four strikers, and in a period where I had to score goals I was presented with plenty of chances to score those goals.”

“I was still a team player,” he almost interrupts himself – don’t worry, Jordan; the Palace fans know that. “But I was being used as a real No.9 where I had chances from crosses or passes in behind. It was a different style in the French league, but I really enjoyed my time with Lorient and that is what gave me the chance to come to the Premier League with Aston Villa and I am so grateful for that.”

It appears Patrick van Aanholt is grateful Ayew is in the Premier League, too, with our match-winner from the Newcastle United shouting across the canteen: “Jordan Ayew: he is a big player!” as he spots our interview overlooking the Training Ground pitches.

No disagreement here, Patrick.

Liked by his teammates and loved by the fans, Ayew’s growth from loanee squad player to leading goalscorer has been a rapid one, and one no doubt aided by having his fellow countryman, Jeffrey Schlupp, nearby.

In Ayew’s career, Schlupp sits in joint-fourth spot in terms of the pair’s joint-goal participation – when they’ve assisted one another, in other regards. Thankfully for Ayew, Hodgson and the Eagles faithful, Schlupp is back in full training and nearing a

return after going off at half-time against Watford back in December.

“Jeffrey is a massive player to this team with his pace – we miss his pace – he’s an important player,” the praise for those around Ayew continues. “We are delighted that he is almost back and ready to help us hopefully get as many points as we can.”

“ JEFFREY IS A MASSIVE PLAYER TO THIS TEAM WITH HIS PACE – WE MISS HIS PACE – HE’S AN IMPORTANT PLAYER. ”

But why the connection on the pitch, especially in front of goal? “It’s a natural thing,” Ayew reveals. “I played with him in the national team, too. We just know each other and how each of us play and where to find each other in the spaces.”

When talk of Schlupp’s injury return passes, Ayew leans forward and touches the wooden table.

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“I don’t like to speak about that [injuries],” explaining the reason for his action. And clearly the tradition works with Ayew barely having an injury history.

Asked how he believes he has managed to avoid a serious injury, and whether it is anything to do with his diet or lifestyle, Ayew nervously fidgets in his chair, keen to clearly avoid any further mention of the ‘i’ word. “I just want to continue to always thank God,” he calmly says.

“I’m a big believer in God; I pray a lot. I think it is something everyone has their own decision on – it is a personal thing. I am a big believer because I am in a family where we believe a lot in Allah and it is a positive thing.”

Keen to move the conversation on and not jinx our key player, the final topic jotted down is ‘squad numbers’.

And Ayew has had a wide-range of them from being No.3 at Sochaux and Swansea City, to having 15, 23, 8 and 11 at Marseille.

But only once before Palace has Ayew had the No.9 shirt and that was during his time with Lorient – the club where he recorded his personal best 12-goal haul in the league.

Appreciating that we need a line on the topic – and us now understanding that squad numbers are a big deal to everyone other than the actual footballers – Ayew goes for: “I like No.9. It is my favourite number.”

Jordan Ayew: our favourite No.9.

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COPERS Sebastian Frej

A behind the scenes look at first-team training, with Roy Hodgson and his coaching staff putting the squad through their paces ahead of today’s clash with Watford.

PATRICK VAN AANHOLT

GARY CAHILL

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20 WILFRIED ZAHA

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GOALKEEPERS’ UNION

MAMADOU SAKHO

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VICENTE GUAITA

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MORE THAN JUST A

MATCHDAY

Do you know what goes on at Selhurst Park away from the action on the pitch?

Our stadium is a lively location seven days a week, from private events and conferences to amazing celebrations in our various lounges. Take a look at what we offer and get a glimpse into our Premium Matchday packages too!

Search: ‘Premium CPFC’ or ‘Selhurst Park Events’

EXECUTIVE BOXES & LEGENDS RESTAURANT IMPROVEMENTS Throughout the 2019/20 season our premium hospitality and event spaces at Selhurst Park have seen a variety of refurbishments and improvements as we work to deliver memorable moments on and off the pitch.

Improvements include bespoke furniture added to our boxes, a range of newly decorated spaces throughout, plus improved and flexible layouts designed to deliver a truly personal experience.

Along with the refurbishments we’ve continued to raise the bar of your premium experience with continued investment in our Premium &

Events service team, and this has seen the addition of locally sourced produce to our seasonal menus – all expertly curated for each match by our Michelin star experienced Executive Chef, Julien Maisonneuve.

The most recent addition, however, takes the comfort you

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can expect at Selhurst Park to a new level, as we’ve completed the installation of our superior VIP balcony seating for our Executive Boxes and Legends Restaurant.

With increased padding and the iconic Eagle stitched in to the top of each seat, the best view in the house has now got even better.

AMAZING CLIENT ENTERTAINMENT AT SELHURST PARK Away from the pitch, Selhurst Park offers fantastic opportunities for guests to grow their business and network.

Two of those opportunities are available to book now. First up comes our ever-popular Business Club lunch in February. The networking event is hosted four times a season with guests invited to dine and entertain clients, colleagues or friends with an afternoon of fine dining, alongside special guest appearances. One of the UK’s former leading sports journalists, Neil Ashton, is our guest on 13th February as he offers an insight into the footballing industry, life in front of the Sky Sports cameras and his transition from all of that to starting his own media, brand and image consultancy.

Also, coming up at the end of the season is the chance for guests to walk in the footsteps of legends with our pitch hire packages on offer.

Whether you’re looking to impress your clients or wanting to reward colleagues for their hard work, walking out of the Selhurst Park tunnel to grace the famous turf is the ultimate way to do so.

With full access to the dressing rooms and the option to extend your day with hospitality packages in one of our lounges, a Selhurst Park pitch hire could make you and your business the talk of the industry.

With the flexibility of playing smallsided games or replicating a Premier League matchday, we’ll have the package perfect for you.

To find out more about both these events, plus others, search: Selhurst Park Events

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EAGLE EYE WITH PALACE TV'S CHRIS GRIERSON

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This week brought the news that we’re off to Australia in July to play Brisbane Roar and West Ham in Townsville and Brisbane respectively. I’m already licking my BBQ-flavoured lips at the prospect of some Neighbours and Home and Away-themed content.

Our Head of Sports Science and Strength & Conditioning Scott Guyett grew up in Brisbane so he’s looking forward to a triumphant homecoming, although reports of street parties and bank holidays in his honour are yet to be verified.

Although it’s a holiday for the fans making the trip, for us it’s probably the most tiring part of a season. I’ll give you an idea of an average day on tour: We’ll be up and working at 8am every day. Starting off by filming training, followed by

an interview with a player and probably a fan meet and greet or charity visit in the afternoon.

With all that footage in the can, the guys will then start to edit it all. Usually in somebody’s hotel room or in a hotel conference room.

Once all that is done we have to struggle with hotel Wi-Fi, which can take ages to upload everything.

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We’re usually finishing work off on our laptops in the hotel bar at 10pm. Then up again the next day to do it all over again. All of this with less staff than usual as there are only limited spaces on the trip.

Days off don’t really exist as there’s always something happening. Matchdays are even more tiring as the majority of the

hard work is after the game with highlights, interviews and press conferences needed to be edited whilst travelling back to the hotel.

However, I appreciate I’ve been very lucky to visit some amazing places over the years. My first pre-season tour was to Cape Town. What a beautiful city! The only problem we had there was the internet speed. Uploading a video there was more annoying than being forced to watch two hours of Harry Hornet banging a drum.

The year after that was the US tour, which has been my favourite so far. In Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Vancouver we saw three completely different cities. We were permitted on the team coach for these trips and it’s very much like being at school. Cool kids (players) at the back, teachers (coaches) at the

front and nerds (media team) somewhere in between and very apologetic for even existing.

2017 was the Asia Trophy in Hong Kong. This one was different to any other because it was organised by the Premier League so we didn’t have to get involved in any of the logistics. We just turned up with a camera and filmed whatever was happening.

The rain was biblical so there wasn’t much training but the highlight was hanging out with Fan Zhiyi. He’s still a superstar in that part of the world.

Sweden and Denmark for the next summer trip. I have painful memories of this one mostly because of what happened after we got back. We had a break-in and somebody stole a drive with all our footage on - it contained a yet-tobe-edited documentary about Roy’s

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time in Sweden in the '70s and '80s.

Interviews with lots of his former players, a 30-minute interview with Roy and even a chat with Sweden manager Janne Andersson. It would’ve been amazing. But it’s all gone and there was no back-up!

Thinking about that has made me too upset to write about Switzerland last year. See you in Australia for National Scott Guyett fortnight.

Head to eagles.cpfc.co.uk or the CPFC app to watch all the behind the scenes content.

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PLAY IT NOW

© 2019 Electronic Arts Inc. EA, EA SPORTS, the EA SPORTS logo and Ultimate Team are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. © FIFA and FIFA’s Official Licensed Product Logo are copyrights and/or trademarks of FIFA. All rights reserved. Manufactured under license by Electronic Arts Inc. CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD “2” and “PlayStation” are registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Also, “Ø” is a trademark of the same company.

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Ruby Clark Age: 12

Blake Castle Age: 10

Samuel Grady Age: 8

Theo Ackerley Age: 9

Luke Jones Age: 8

Louie Hambleton Age: 10

junior eagles

quiz,games And more! plus: training with

joel

ward

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Mascots

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junior eagles that s the real quiz

The last time Palace faced Watford, the Eagles were forced into a half-time substitute due to an injury to Jeffrey Schlupp. Who replaced the Ghana international?

Jaïro Riedewald or Tyrick Mitchell

In the two starting lineups back in December, there was one Argentine. Who was it?

Roberto Pereyra or Victor Camarasa

Watford’s caretaker manager that day was a former Palace player.

Can you remember who?

Hayden Mullins or Mile Jedinak

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Watford forward, Gerard Deulofeu, used to play for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

True or False

Where do Watford play their home games?

Vicarage Road or Hornets Hill Park

Which club did Watford’s Craig Dawson used to be managed

by Roy Hodgson at?

West Bromwich Albion or Fulham

Troy Deeney has been at Watford longer than Joel Ward has been at Palace.

True or False

Watford signed an England international on a free transfer in the summer. Can you remember who?

Danny Welbeck or Peter Crouch

Which former Watford striker joined Manchester United in the January transfer window?

Odion Ighalo or Matěj Vydra

Nigel Pearson was in charge of Leicester City when they won the Premier League.

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True or False

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guess who Our most recent victory against the Hornets came in December, 2017, and in dramatic fashion with the Eagles, as of 88 minutes, trailing in the game. Can you remember the score and missing players from the starting XI from that magical night under the Selhurst Park lights?

in training with joel ward During his time at Palace, Joel Ward has shown he knows a thing or two about dealing with tricky and pacey forwards, having dealt with the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha on a consistent basis in training.

This week, we asked the fullback how our aspirational Junior Eagles can equip themselves for dealing with opposition players like today’s Ismaïla Sarr. Here’s what

10. False Guess Who: Speroni, Fosu-Mensah & Loftus-Cheek Score: Palace won 2-1 Road 6. West Bromwich Albion 7. True 8. Danny Welbeck 9. Odion Ighalo QUIZ: 1. Jaïro Riedewald 2. Roberto Pereyra 3. Hayden Mullins 4. False 5. Vicarage

answers

the player who has made the thirdmost appearances in the Premier League for Palace had to say: " You’ve got to learn and take on board what your coaches tell you. You need your positional awareness. Once you start to know your trade and get your positioning right it makes things easier. Then go out there with confidence and back yourself."

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palace V Hornets ? ? ?

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FANTASY FIVE Throughout this season, we are asking the Palace squad for the 5-a-side team they’d pick based on a certain criteria.

KK IG

DF

KALIDOU KOULIBALY “A rock at the back.”

FW

SADIO MANE “A special player.”

KD

SM

IS

MD

FW

IDRISSA GANA GUEYE “He’d get all around the pitch with his energy.”

KRÉPIN DIATTA “A young, new player coming through. You need to see this guy, he’s like Sadio Mane and you will hear about him in the future.”

FW

ISMAILA SARR “I’m choosing him for his pace; he’s so fast.”

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This week, we asked Cheikhou Kouyaté to choose five players from the current Senegal national team setup.

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MESSAGEBOARD MATCHDAY

1. Happy 50th Birthday Darren, lots of love Rhian & Megan x 2. Happy 10th Birthday Owen (ODog), have a great day. All our love Mummy, Daddy & Lewis 3. Happy Birthday Oli. Have a lovely day. Love Emily, Mum, Dad, Aaron, Ruby, Fiona, Sara, Wayne, Joe, Rose, Bubbles and Rory xx 4. Happy 40th Birthday. Lots of love Wayne, Joe, Rose, Mum, Dad, Aaron, Ruby, Fiona, Bubbles, Oli and Emily xx 5. From Chicago to Palace: Happy Birthday John. Great to be spending it with you at your first Selhurst match. Kevin.

6. A very Happy 11th Birthday William.

All our love Mum, Dad, Joshua & Oreo xx 7. Happy 30th Birthday Daddy! We love you lots, love Polly and Mummy xxx 8. In memory of Bill Hickey, a former Season Ticket holder.

Forever an empty seat beside us.

Ali, Rob and the Big Boss x

9. For my 14th Birthday I went with my dad to Selhurst Park on Boxing Day to see Crystal Palace vs West Ham. It was a great day. Thanks CPFC. 10. Happy Birthday to George for his 13th Birthday. Have a great day. Love Mum, Dad and family.

11. Congratulations to Rob and Amy on the arrival of Betsy Beatrice Simpson on 21st January 2020. Our new Palace fan. Love from all the Simpson clan.

12. In loving memory of David Mitchell, a lifelong supporter, who passed away on 25th December, aged 91. A loving dad, grandfather, and great grandfather xx 13. Wishing Lily Lovelock a Happy 18th Birthday. Hope you have a fabulous day. Lots of love, Dad and Jackie 14. Happy 13th Birthday, Ben - enjoy the match! Love Mum, Dad, Abbie, Dan & Tilly x 15. Happy belated 21st to Maisie Clilverd-Buss with love from mum, dad and family xx

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16. William 'Vinnie' West, 87, sadly passed away on 11/02/20.

One of the first members of the original family enclosure, he was a true Palace fan of over 70 years.

RIP from your family and friends.

17. Welcome to Gold Member Callum attending his first match at Selhurst Park today. Have a great day!

18. In loving memory of Geoff Highgate who sadly passed away 18th January 2020. Lifelong Palace supporter, home and away. His love for Palace will live on through his children and grandchildren 19. Happy 70th Birthday to lifelong Palace fan Philip Watkins! With love from all his family. EAGLES! 20. Brad & Emma Burman. Happy 40th Birthday to you both! Lifelong CPFC supporters! Hope you have a great day! Love Margaret, Derek, Lee, Marie, Southy & Katherine xxxx 21. Something for the old people to enjoy. Welcome, Freddie.

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

07.03.2020

PROUD PARTNER

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THE HORNETS

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WATFORD THE HORNETS

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Daryl Janmaat has two goals and three assists in seven Premier League games against Palace.

FROM THE DUGOUT

“IT IS A VERY SATISFYING AND FANTASTIC WIN (V LIVERPOOL), BUT WITH 10 GAMES LEFT WE HAVE GOT AN AWFUL LOT OF WORK TO DO.”

MATCH PREVIEW Watford have failed to score in a league-high 12 Premier League games this season. But they’ll be pleased to be away from Vicarage Road today, as the Hornets have failed to score in six home games this campaign – again, a tabletopping stat.

Troy Deeney has been directly involved in eight goals in his last 11 Premier League games, though the Watford captain hasn’t scored in consecutive league matches since March 2018.

Despite Deeney and Ismaïla Sarr’s recent form in front of goal, Watford’s expected goals figure is 35.7 but they have found the back of the net just 27 times.

This means based on the quality of chances they’ve had, Nigel

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

Pearson’s side scored almost nine fewer goals than expected, the biggest negative difference in the league this season.

A player not struggling for moments of magic in front of goal is Jordan Ayew, with Palace’s top scorer enjoying playing against the Hertfordshire-based side. The striker has scored three times in the Premier League (twice for Aston Villa in 2015/16 and once for Swansea City in 2017/18).

Jordan Ayew’s seven Premier League goals have been worth 12 points to Crystal Palace in the Premier League this season.

Only Andy Johnson’s in 2004/05 (15) have been worth more to the Eagles in a single campaign.

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Watford have picked up just two victories from their last 15 away trips to London in the Premier League.

DID YOU KNOW?

MOST PL WINS

MOST PL GOALS

Étienne Capoue

Troy Deeney

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Troy Deeney

Abdoulaye Doucouré

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Odion Ighalo

16

38 Abdoulaye Doucouré

Roberto Pereya

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Doucouré Deulofeu Deeney

SUBS 14 Pereyra 11 Pussetto 05 Chalobah

AWAY

Foster Femenía Kabasele Cathcart Masina Hughes Capoue Sarr

LAST TIME OUT 29.02.20 | 5:30pm | Vicarage Road

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3-0

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HOME

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Craig Cathcart

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WATFORD FORM GUIDE

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BE THE SPARK CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

THE ORCHESTRATOR

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AMATEUR ANALYSIS

He’s no expert. However, each week Crystal Palace’s Club Journalist will attempt to turn the ‘pub chat’ into something more conclusive with an ‘out of their depth’ look down the rabbit hole of football data.

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AMATEUR ANALYSIS PALACE V WATFORD

ORCHESTRATOR: ISMAÏLA SARR 40

As is usual with high-profile and expensive signings, Ismaïla Sarr’s slow start to life in the Premier League, coinciding with Watford’s relegation-threatened campaign, saw the Hornets’ club-record signing come in for criticism.

Now, though, with the hyperbole dying down and Nigel Pearson – the fourth manager Sarr has played under already at Vicarage Road – taking over, the former Stade Rennais player is settling in well.

With four goals and three assists in his last eight Premier League games – including an instrumental performance to dismantle champions-elect Liverpool

last time out – Patrick van Aanholt will be in for a busy afternoon.

Sarr’s fear factor comes from the fact he is unpredictable in front of goal and not afraid to try and force the issue in the final third. Sarr has had the third-most shots for Watford this season (36), 12 behind Abdoulaye Doucouré in second despite playing 1,223 minutes less than his teammate.

ISMAÏLA SARR IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Assists

3

Goals

5

Shots

36

Crosses

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After 28 gameweeks, Watford and Crystal Palace’s statistics are remarkably similar across the four statistical groupings: attack, team play, defence and discipline.

Despite Nigel Pearson’s side having found the back of the net two times more than Palace’s 25, the Eagles’ efficiency in front of goal betters Watford’s – with more shots on target and a shooting

THE DIFFERENCE AWAY FROM VICARAGE ROAD 64% of the shots Watford concede are down the centre of the goal, irrespective of whether they are playing home or away. However, there’s a substantial difference in the conceding of chances down the flanks when away from their Hertfordshire home.

accuracy of one-in-three on target from crosses to aerial battles compared to the Hornets 28%. won to tackle success rate, Both teams have made roughly Palace regularly shade it and the same amount of passes this season with football consistently being in the league – Watford: 10,564, about marginal gains, that could Palace: 10,687. Again, with a similar give the Eagles the slight passing accuracy edged by Hodgson’s advantage. Palace Watford side: 76% v 74%.

Yellow cards 44 57 No team has any Goals conceded 32 43 real standout statistic, Offsides 42 52 one that separates them Cross accuracy 22% 23% from one another’s style Tackles 493 495 of play. However, on the Aerial battles won 2,338 2,116 majority of statistics

When at Vicarage Road, 9% of the shots Ben Foster has dealt with have come down the left-hand side of his defence, compared to conceding just over a quarter (27%) on the other side of the pitch.

Comparing that to when the Hornets are on their travels, the number of shots conceded rises by 5% down the opponent’s right-

Home

9%

RIGHT SIDE

64% 27%

Away

14%

RIGHT SIDE

64%

MIDDLE

LEFT SIDE

hand flank to 14%. Granted, that still means Pearson’s side are more susceptible down the right-back position, however, the dramatic shift down the left-hand side of their defence suggests an element of nervousness playing away from home and this is something the Eagles could exploit.

22%

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MIDDLE

LEFT SIDE

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EAGLES AND HORNETS WELL-MATCHED

OPPOSITION IN NUMBERS

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By Chris Waters @Clapham_Grand

The pay cut percentage that Watford’s players and staff agreed to take in 2002 to help the club stave off administration post the collapse of ITV Digital. This action, coupled with a strong FA Cup run, ensured disaster was averted.

01 The number of European campaigns Watford have embarked on in their long history.

This was in the 1983/84 season when they took part in the UEFA Cup, facing the likes of Kaiserslautern and Sparta Prague.

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05

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The number of FA Cup semi-finals the club have reached in their history.

They have only gone on to the final twice, losing on both occasions.

The number of goals scored by Cliff Holton in the 1959/60 season for the Hertfordshire-based club - a Watford record. He was controversially sold to Northampton a year later, before joining the Eagles in 1962.

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The number of managers Watford have had in the past 10 years. Excluding current incumbent Nigel Pearson, the average occupancy of the Hornets’ hot seat was a mere 36 games for that period.

SOMEONE THEY’D LIKE TO FORGET: Sergio Agüero has needed just eight games to register 14 goal contributions against the Hornets (11 goals, three assists). However, despite the Citizens registering 14 goals in their last two games against Watford, Agüero has found the net just once.

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07.03.2020

Rebrewed from head to hop.

Carlsberg Danish Pilsner.

NEW Brew NEW Glass NEW Fount Still iconically Danish.

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Proud to support

Crystal Palace Football Club

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

07.03.2020

STEPHEN BROWETT

LIVERPOOL AWAY

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Former owner and current club shareholder, Stephen Browett, is a veteran when it comes to Palace away days. For those of you making the trip to Liverpool on Saturday 21st March, Stephen has got you covered.

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AWAY AT

LIVERPOOL F.C.

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HISTORY Our first ever visit to Liverpool was for an FA Cup Third Round replay on January 12th 1938, which we lost 3-1 - the match was played just four days after we held them to a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.

We didn’t make our first league visit to Anfield until 1970, again ending in disappointment with the Eagles losing 3-0. That season we finished third from bottom of the 22-team Division One but stayed up as only two teams were relegated at that time.

Our early history at Anfield didn’t make for pleasant viewing – or reading now – with our first win arriving in 1991 at the 11th attempt.

MEMORABLE MATCHES Sometimes when I write these away guides it’s a struggle to find a match to include, but this week it’s a struggle to get it down to only four!

One of my first visits to Anfield was on a Tuesday night in 1989. It was nine years since we had last played there and it was one of our first away games of the season after our promotion to Division One. I remember the excitement of driving up to Merseyside with my mates and the expectation of our exciting young team – Wright, Bright, Thomas, Gray, Salako etc – taking on a team that had won the league an amazing six times in the last nine years.

Of course, everyone knows the result. We were hammered 9-0 and even missed a penalty.

I honestly believe that Palace played quite well that night but Liverpool were awesome. Not only did they score nine but, and this really is extraordinary, those goals were scored by nine different players – surely a statistic that will never be matched.

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When they were awarded a penalty in 67th minute they even brought on substitute John Aldridge to take it!

Strangely enough it was a night to remember on the terraces with some great chants from the Palace fans including “We’re going to win 10-9” after Liverpool scored their final goal in the 90th minute.

Although we had achieved that epic win against them at Villa Park in 1990, Liverpool away was still a fixture to dread and the following season normal service was resumed when we were beaten 3-0 at Anfield.

In the autumn of 1991 we returned, having just lost our talisman Ian Wright to Arsenal - to say that Palace fans were rather unimpressed with his unfortunate replacement, Marco Gabbiadini, would be an understatement.

However, he scored our first goal and

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TRAVEL Following Liverpool’s loss at Chelsea in the FA Cup this game is now confirmed for the original date, 21st March. It’s no surprise at all that the game has been picked for TV and consequently will kick-off at 17:30 GMT which means that you will have trouble - and a slow journey - getting

back to London by train - unless extra services are added Accommodation in the city will be expensive and difficult to find, so this might have to be one to do by road. It’s a long journey with hold-ups on the M6 always possible, so allow plenty of time.

PUBS AND BEER Liverpool is a great city for pubs. There are some classic old boozers in the city but the finest, and grandest pub of them all, is The Philharmonic.

Anyone interested in public houses and architecture should visit this great institution at least once in their life. It has recently been upgraded to Grade 1 status – the same as Buckingham Palace or Chatsworth House.

Historic England describe it as: “A cathedral among pubs… one of the most spectacular pubs to be completed in the golden age of pub building.” It was completed in 1900 and in his book ‘Notes from a Small Island’ Bill Bryson writes: “There is no place in the world finer for a pee than the ornate gents’ room of the Philharmonic.” I can certainly vouch for that; the gents here is a marble masterpiece.

The Philharmonic was also the scene of a surprise gig by Paul McCartney a couple of years ago on an episode of ‘Carpool Karaoke’ which you can find on YouTube.

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Geoff Thomas got the winner as we finally beat the Reds on their home patch. And I was there to savour what was a very sweet victory.

Fast forward 24 years to May 2015 and we arrived at Anfield for the Steven Gerrard show.

My company Farr Vintners had supplied a jeroboam of Champagne which Pards presented to him before the game.

It was his final game there after a long and distinguished career and, for the media and Liverpool fans, it seemed like Palace were lined up like lambs to the slaughter.

We were party poopers that day and put on a brilliant performance, winning 3-1 thanks to goals from Punch, Wilf and Muzza. Nearly a quarter of a century after that first victory, I was there again, but this time as an owner of the club and with my kids. It was a great day out.

Incredibly we did it again the following season when a Christian Benteke brace secured a 2-1 victory.

It’s amazing that now, over 1,000 days later, Palace are still the last away team to win a league game at Anfield.

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The Cronx CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

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Mark Russell is surrounded by a tapestry of beer mats as he perches in a minimalist bar next to East Croydon station. He offers a beer (which, naturally, we decline on professional grounds) and settles down amongst the bumbling hubbub of conversation around him.

He’s just finished a meeting with his events team, who linger as he excuses himself, and dives straight into this interview without dropping a beat.

Mark is the co-founder of The Cronx, an independent brewery conceptualised and created by a pair of south London-born Palace fans a few years back. “We started in 2012,” he explains. “Me and a fellow Palace fan, Simon Dale, got together. We’d been individually having thoughts of creating a brewery and it grew from there.”

Sitting in The Cronx Bar on the edge of East Croydon’s Boxpark and looking back over eight years in business, Mark reflects on a very special and personal accomplishment: selling his beer in the stadium his grandfather and

father frequented for over 80 years.

The third generation in a family of Palace fans, Mark had a founding hand in the club’s annual Beer Festival - which will celebrate its 10th year in May - and so already had connections with the team he began watching from the Family Enclosure in the early 1990s.

Today, The Cronx Brewery supplies beer across Selhurst Park, proudly boasting its own bars and the newly established Tap Room; which sells a range from The Cronx and a different, local guest beer at every matchday.

“Both my dad and my grandfather were Palace fans,” Mark says. “I was born in Mayday Hospital and taken to Palace as a matter of course. For nearly 20 years we went as three generations and sat at Selhurst.

“David Hopkins’ goal in the play-off final is always a vivid memory, equally like Steve Claridge’s shin was the year before!

There are many positive memories; Wembley visits, the FA Cup semifinal against Watford, travelling to

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Brighton for the play-off semis, lots. “[Working with the club] was mainly an idea to promote local beer. From the start Palace were very keen to get on board with a local brewery run by Palace guys.

“When I started the brewery and your beer’s being sold in the ground, my dad and grandfather at the time were saying: ‘We’ve got to go, we’ve got to drink the beer,’ because it was a big thing for us. The Tap Room at the ground has really invigorated that. A lot of people head there early to have a beer before the game.”

But SE25 isn’t the only place Palace fans can be found enjoying a pint from The Cronx, with Mark revealing the brewery’s loyal fanbase often comes from south London’s red and blue contingent.

“We’ve got a lot of customers, a lot of regulars at the bar. With the train station, there are a lot of people; it’s a bit of a transient market in that respect but you get a lot of knowledgeable people that come in, know

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It’s a rewarding cycle: a south London Palace man supported by his fellow Eagles in the local community. For Mark, the backing of his club, selling his proudly brewed beer there and enjoying it with family and local friends supporting the same badge has a more personal meaning that it would for many.

“Unfortunately, my grandfather just passed away,” he says, “but he went to Palace from the 1930s.

My dad went from a young age, he lived around Selhurst Park.

“You get a sense of achievement when you see someone drink your beer at the bar and they really like it, but to have it served at the football team you support, the football team your family have supported for a long time, it made my grandfather and dad as proud as it made me.

“You can’t really put it into words.”

You get a sense of achievement when you see someone drink your beer at the bar and they really like it.

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the breweries and recognise that a lot of the brewers we use are from south London.

“We do have a good following that come here to The Cronx Bar before the game and after too, though sometimes that can be result-dependant. If there’s an early kick-off, we try and open up early, and we also offer discount to Season Ticket holders on matchdays - little things like that.

We do like to see Palace fans here before and after the game.”

To have it served at the team you support, the team your family have supported for a long time, it made my grandfather and dad as proud as it made me.

Crystal Palace Beer festival 10th anniversary Tickets on sale now! £12 in advance £20 on the day

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

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GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk 52 AD-105x148-FF-Game Changer.indd 1

01/08/2019 09:21

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

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The nation had tuned in to the FA Cup semi-final expecting to witness Liverpool, champions-elect, running up a cricket score. Could they match the nine goals dispatched beyond Steve Coppell’s side back in the autumn? Surely the competition was destined to culminate in a tête-à-tête between Kenny Dalglish’s all-conquering team and Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.

The first-half dominance enjoyed by the favourites did little to veer off script. Only Malcolm Allison, interviewed just as the teams re-emerged for the second-half, offered any hope to the Londoners, who trailed to Ian Rush’s early goal.

And even Big Mal’s assessment was laughed off by his fellow pundits.

In that context, and with the frenzy of that day well-documented, it is perhaps worth reflecting on how everything changed in the first few seconds after the break.

How a misplaced pass from Steve McMahon at the kick-off was intercepted by John Pemberton on the flank to cue the most famous run in the club’s history. “My motherin-law was watching the game

back at home and, at half-time, decided she’d do the hoovering in the second-half,” said Gary O’Reilly.

“As it was, from that moment, she just stood there watching it all, leaning on the bloody Hoover.

It was that kind of match.”

Pemberton’s run sent a shockwave through Liverpool’s ranks, even if it had defied the game-plan. “Our game plan revolved around stopping them playing well and, at half-time, I told the lads not to worry,” said Coppell. “I was hoping we could keep it 1-0 until the last 20 minutes and then we might take advantage of any nerves on their part. So the second-half starts and I’m walking to the dugout and I just saw Pembo streaking down the wing. I was close to yelling at him: ‘No, Pembo! Stop!’ But then we scored from his cross and Liverpool’s invincibility was cracked.”

“I was always quite quick and liked to get forward,” Pemberton recalled. “It was their kick-off, I cut it out then Andy Gray just shouted: ‘Go on, son’ and waved me past him. Off I went, away from Steve Staunton, David Burrows and Ronnie

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Whelan. I knew I had the legs, so I just knocked it. As I ran after it I was just telling myself to get the cross in. Make sure it gets into the area. As it was, John Salako had the first attempt and then Brighty hammered in the rebound.

As I ran back to the halfway line, I don’t think Dalglish had even got to the dugout yet. I just remember him standing there by the bench looking completely blank as if he was wondering: ‘What the hell’s gone on there?’ It was a real shock to them. We caught them cold and they never really recovered from it.”

There were five goals traded in that madcap secondhalf, with Gray’s late equaliser forcing extra-time. Alan Pardew, heading in at a corner, would end up winning the day with Palace – players, management, supporters and hierarchy alike – pinching themselves in delighted disbelief.

Palace, in 15th place and seven points off the relegation zone with six games to play, were already within touching distance of securing top-flight safety. Now they had a cup final on the horizon to savour.

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The 2019/20 season marks 30 years on from the first year ‘back’ in the top-flight under Steve Coppell, and this week The Athletic writer Dom Fifield looks back at the events at Villa Park on 8th April, 1990 that are now etched into Crystal Palace folklore.

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PALACE FOR LIFE

Palace defender Martin Kelly shared his passion for the environment and sustainable living with local schoolchildren when he joined Palace for Life Foundation for an eco-focused assembly and school tour with a difference.

The 29-year-old visited Rockmount Primary School in Crystal Palace and was shown around the ‘Edible Playground’, with pupils proudly showing off their vegetable garden and resident chickens.

Kelly, who drives an electric car and has recently started growing his own fruit and vegetables at home, said: “It’s taken me right back to my childhood going back to school! I think it’s really important for the children to learn about these issues, they’re all so enthusiastic and it’s all credit to the teachers.”

The school, which was attended by former Palace player Jason Puncheon, is championing sustainable living through a

range of initiatives, including taking part in Sky Ocean Rescue workshops and projects run by the Foundation on plastic pollution.

Primary School Programmes Manager at Palace for Life Foundation Sam Bacon said: “We have a coach based full-time at Rockmount Primary School and we’re really proud of the innovative work they’re doing in this area. It’s clear to see Martin’s passion for the environment and it was inspiring for the children to hear about the changes he’s making in his own lifestyle.”

Kelly continued: “You understand when you’re older the importance of the things you do from a young age. Learning more about this, seeing the chickens, growing the vegetables, it gives children a sense of independence as well as teaching them about the bigger things like climate change.”

While at the school, Kelly helped

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launch a competition for pupils, encouraging them to finish their lunch to reduce food waste, as well as bringing less single-use plastic in their lunchboxes. The winners will be treated to a tour of Selhurst Park and receive Crystal Palace prizes.

Children from the school’s eco-committee, made up of pupils from Years 5 and 6, ran the assembly and then gave Kelly a guided tour, sharing their tips for keeping chickens and explaining the importance of home-grown produce.

Speaking afterwards, one of the pupils said: “It was awesome to have Martin Kelly here, I really hope he liked our vegetable garden and our chickens!”

Palace for Life Foundation engage with around 80 local schools each season.

To find about more at : www.palaceforlife.org or @palaceforlife

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FOUNDATION

07.03.2020

INVEST IN WHAT YOU LOVE 56

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75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of CRYSTAL losing money.

PALACE V WATFORD

COMMODITIES

David Omilabu is the name on Steve Parish’s lips. Here, the striker sits down with Dan Blazer and talks the Tel Aviv Winter Tournament, changing position and a brace against the league leaders.

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Walking over to the Crystal Palace Academy Training Ground for our interview with Palace Under-18s forward, David Omilabu, our club photographer reveals that during last year’s trip to Tel Aviv for the Winter Tournament, Steve Parish singled Omilabu out for praise.

High praise indeed. It’s an added pressure the striker, despite being the youngest in Palace’s squad in Israel last year, clearly took in his stride, as a year on Omilabu is now the Under-18s’ starting frontman.

Bashfully knocking away the story of the Chairman’s positive words when we bring it up, Omilabu discusses the differences he noticed in himself when returning to the Winter Tournament this year. He said: “This year out in Israel I found it not as tough physically. I felt much stronger, quicker and everything was less of a challenge. I’ve now adapted to the demands of Under-18s football – last year I was Under-16s playing up in the Under-18s.”

Paddy McCarthy regularly comments on the importance of his young Eagles being exposed to a different style of football, and in opponents such as Beitar Jerusalem and Grasshopper Zurich, that’s exactly what Omilabu and his teammates faced.

“The difference in style between our own game - the English game - and their game

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07.03.2020

“ I FELT MUCH STRONGER, QUICKER AND EVERYTHING WAS LESS OF A CHALLENGE. I’VE NOW ADAPTED TO THE DEMANDS OF

is massive,” Omilabu begins dissecting exactly what he and the team came up against. “I got the feeling that…I wouldn’t say they gave us more respect, but because of the Premier League they wanted to go all out against us.”

You get the feeling that Omilabu is stopping short of using the vocabulary he’d like to use, but we can read between the lines. And if there is a hint of a suggestion about the Eagles being targeted, it’s clearly something Omilabu took – and continues to take - in his ever-widening stride.

In the two league games since returning from Tel Aviv, Palace have scored four goals and impressively, Omilabu has scored them all – including a match-winning brace over league leaders Millwall.

Something clicked in Omilabu in Tel Aviv the second time around; after a season that was mainly confined to substitute appearances (all be it, goalscoring ones), the 17-year-old is leading the Palace line from kick-off.

“It has been hard mentally,” Omilabu begins reflecting on the period pre-Israel. “But as a footballer you expect things

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

like that to happen: having to be patient for your chance. And when I did get my chance, I was determined to show Paddy (McCarthy) what I’m all about.”

There’s no doubt Omilabu achieved what he set out to do.

And, as McCarthy revealed in his programme column for the Newcastle United game, the positional flexibility that Omilabu has added to his game has helped him become a starter and joint-top Under-18s goalscorer.

“As a professional, you need to be adaptable and play in different positions,” Omilabu nods along in agreement with himself, as if recollecting a conversation he had with McCarthy behind closed doors. “Quite simply, it gives you a greater chance of getting in the team. And this year I’ve learnt that I needed to add that versatility to my game.”

With Steve Parish keeping an eye on his development and Paddy McCarthy and Shaun Derry moulding the technical aspects of his game, you wouldn’t bet against Omilabu finishing the season as the highest goalscorer for the Under18s. So, what next?

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UNDER-18S FOOTBALL.”

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WHAT’S ON SELHURST PARK

SUN 22 MAR | 2pm Selhurst Park

SAT 04 APR | 3pm Selhurst Park

SAT 18 APR | 12:30pm Selhurst Park

SAT 02 MAY | 3pm Selhurst Park

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TICKETS ON SALE NOW - SEARCH ‘CPFC TICKETS’ FOR DETAILS

DEDICATED MATCHDAY: LEVEL PLAYING FIELDS Today’s game against Watford has been dedicated to highlight the great work of Level Playing Fields – a fantastic charity that promotes a positive and inclusive experience for disabled sports fans.

Crystal Palace F.C. believe that disabled sports fans should have the same opportunity as everyone and be able to enjoy the matchday experience.

Level Playing Fields is in the 16th season of their annual

Weeks of Action campaign, and we as a club are proud to offer our support. We will continue to support the charity to ensure everyone who visits Selhurst Park feels they are in part of a positive and inclusive environment.

Today we will be awarding our Down’s syndrome Eagles a Palace For All commitment award for their hard work and dedication to the team. DS Eagles are our Palace for Life-led team for

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Down’s syndrome football. The team offers an opportunity for people with Down’s syndrome to play the beautiful game and make friends in a fun and safe environment.

If you would like more information on Level Playing Fields, follow their social media pages: Twitter: @lpftweets Facebook: @Level Playing Field Instagram: @levelplayingfielduk

07.03.2020

FIRST-TEAM SPONSORS CRYSTAL PALACE F.C.

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W S PA . C O . U K

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Cheikhou Kouyaté

Max Meyer Sponsored By:

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62

Jordan Ayew Sponsored By:

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Other available Player Sponsorship Packages To sponsor your favourite player, please call 020 8768 6004 or email liam.connery@cpfc.co.uk CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

The sorely missed Ray Wilkins and current England manager, Gareth Southgate, back in January 1994.

07.03.2020

64 CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

PALACEXI IN TIME

By Ian King

The presentation of the Division One trophy and last day of the Holmesdale terrace in May 1994 are revisited by Club Historian, Ian King.

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

65

07.03.2020

07.03.2020

STARTINGXI The game began in searing heat and it soon became obvious that, with the prematch presentations, the players looked, as Southgate admitted after, mentally and physically exhausted.

1

Nigel Martyn

2

John Humphrey

3

Dean Gordon

4

Gareth Southgate

5

Eric Young

6

Chris Coleman

7

Simon Rodger

8

Damien Matthew

9

Chris Armstrong

10

David Whyte

11

John Salako

SUBS 66

Crystal Palace 0 Watford 2 8th May 1994

12

Richard Shaw

14

Bruce Dyer

GK

Andy Woodman

1

2

7

6

5

8

4

10

9

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

3

11

07.03.2020

PALACEXI PALACE XI IN TIME

FIRST DIVISION TROPHY The Eagles had been top of the Division One table since mid-December and the previous Sunday had secured the title with a 3-2 victory at Middlesbrough - a sixth victory in a row, that had racked up a total of 90 points.

This meant the trophy could be presented to the club before the match got underway. The introduction of the Premier League in 1993 - and the subsequent renaming of the three leagues below – actually meant the trophy was still the one that had been presented to the winners of the old topflight division, and was therefore filled with the names of those distinguished table-toppers from over the years.

The players came out to be given their medals and then-captain Gareth Southgate held the trophy aloft as most of the 28,000 cheered. It was not the only achievement acknowledged that day either, with the Juniors presented with their trophy for winning the South East Counties Second Division.

DISAPPOINTING FINALE The game itself against Watford did not follow the script and for the onlooking Eagles it was unfortunate that Paul Stewart’s loan period from Liverpool

had ended two games previously.

Stewart had arrived in January and his experience went a long way to maintaining our position at the top.

The game began in searing heat and it soon became obvious that, with the pre-match presentations, the players looked, as Southgate admitted after, mentally and physically exhausted.

Early chances came and went as the Watford defence, which included Keith Millen, dealt well with Armstrong and David Whyte before then taking the lead in the 58th-minute. Palace manager Alan Smith immediately introduced former Watford player Bruce Dyer from the bench and it almost had the desired impact with Watford scraping a couple of shots off their line.

The coup de grâce arrived three minutes before the final whistle but nobody seemed to care much as afterwards a pitch invasion was soon quelled to allow the players to return and take the final bow of a memorable season.

THE HOLMESDALE TERRACE On that last afternoon the terrace was a sea of red and blue packed with fans’

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

flags, scarves and balloons proclaiming: “The Last Stand.”

Originally constructed with concrete terracing topped by grass banking with two large gates in the corner of Park Road and Holmesdale Road and turnstiles next to them, it had been a feature of Selhurst Park since it opened in August 1924 and had barely changed in 70 years.

It became isolated from the rest of the terracing when the Arthur Wait Stand was opened in 1969 and then in the mid-80s it was divided by fencing, creating three sections: one for the away supporters. With the toilets and refreshment hut now part of the away end, new facilities had to be built along the top.

This terrace witnessed the predecessors of the Holmesdale fellowship in the '60s take the central area. No doubt many friendships (and marriages!) were forged by fans, some of whom became sizeable groups and would then have to find a new ‘home’ somewhere in the ground while the stand was being built – however, quite a number returned to claim a seat in the new stand in roughly the area where they once stood.

67

By Ian King

07.03.2020

68 CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

69

07.03.2020

DOLPHINS 0 CRYSTAL PALACE 1 THE AMEX SATURDAY 29TH FEBRUARY

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

07.03.2020

70 CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

07.03.2020

SHAUN DERRY

Therefore, when we encountered Millwall – an experienced Under-23s team with first-teamers Aiden O’Brien and Jiri Skalak – that posed a different type of problem for us.

We try not to focus too much on opposition, though. Respectfully, it’s not what about other clubs are doing, it’s about our own style, our own performance and progressing our players through the age groups as quickly as possible.

Over the last six months, I have to say the boys have done well – I know results haven’t been there but the lads have to overlook that because it’s not about winning games week in, week out at this level: it’s about generating success stories like Brandon Pierrick.

Since my last column we’ve closed out our Premier League Cup campaign with an excellent away performance against Middlesbrough – a Category One Academy. I have to mention the weather conditions of that game as in my footballing career I had never experienced wind and rain

like it. That was a huge psychological test for the squad and one they came through amicably.

The tournament as a whole has been a testing one with the six added fixtures it generated. Having Burnley, Blackburn Rovers and Boro in our group posed new challenges, not just on the pitch but in terms of their locations – again, things like the long journeys and travelling together are important lessons and experiences for the team.

I was delighted to find out from Paddy McCarthy about our 5-1 win over Colchester United. I was attending the last module for my Pro License training which was all to do with media training – it was interesting going through that segment as a manager rather than a player and the differences that throws up.

There were plenty of positives from the game against Colchester and that all stemmed from the fact we were able to call upon a number of our senior players: Pierrick and Tyrick Mitchell returning from the

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

first-team environment plus Kian Flanagan, who hasn’t been readily available to us over the last six months, making a second-half appearance and getting himself a couple of goals.

Having that sort of talent available, we entered the match knowing that we had the quality to control the game.

I was delighted to see Jason Lokilo make his first-team debut for Doncaster Rovers – loan spells for our players, no matter where they go in the footballing pyramid, are vital.

But for Jason to be getting Football League minutes is excellent for his development and for us, as coaches, to see.

We keep track of our loanees on a platform called Hudl. But it’s also about the relationships and not just the statistics. If it’s not myself, Paddy, Mark Bright or Gary Issott speaking to the player, then it will be other members of our Academy staff that will have connections at these clubs.

71

Over the past few months, when you look at the considerably young age of our group compared to others in the Academy setups, we are going into Under-23s fixtures with a number of first-year scholars and a high number of second-year scholars, too.

07.03.2020

72 CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

07.03.2020

AMY GODDARD

Having arrived at Palace in the summer from Women’s Super League side Yeovil Town I can say that we aren’t far off competing with the elite sides in this country.

The major difference being that at WSL level you’re playing against sides with international experience and that adds different elements to their game.

The rivalry between Brighton and Palace, especially with the game falling so close to when the men’s teams faced off, is there and you could feel that on the night with the number of fans that attended – considering it was a rearranged game for a Tuesday night, that support meant a lot to the girls.

Despite the cup exit, it has been a positive time for the club as a whole with our Development squad winning the National Reserves League Cup. It is a superb experience for that generation coming through –

you can’t beat getting that taste for winning games and trophies.

I was delighted to see Mia Lockett, Beau Parker and Charlie Goad all score in the impressive 5-0 win as those girls have played a few first-team minutes this campaign.

This highlights the promising future that Crystal Palace Women are building and the hard work that is going on off the pitch in building a long-term structure.

Our next game is against Blackburn Rovers at Selhurst Park on Sunday 22nd March – this will be my first time playing there and I cannot wait to have that experience of walking out the tunnel. It highlights the great support the whole club is giving to the women’s section.

The game against Blackburn is massive as we currently sit level on points with them, but with a slightly worse goal difference. The league is close this season and we know

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

that we are, like several clubs, in danger of relegation. However, we are still firmly looking up the table as we know we have the squad to achieve our pre-season aims of a top-half finish.

Against Blackburn I hope I am able to continue my run of having started every game this season – to have that faith from the manager from the off and to join such a welcoming squad has meant a lot to me.

We have a lot of competition at the back so to continually be picked by the manager is pleasing and it’s great for me to see the hard work I put in rewarded. I offer a physical presence at the heart of the defence and I feel I’m approachable on and off the pitch. I’d class myself as a leader and like to think I’m a role model to the youngsters. I’ll continue to be all those things whether selected or not.

73

Our FA Cup run is over after a 3-0 defeat to Women’s Super League side, Brighton & Hove Albion. However, games against opposition of that calibre – we’ve also played Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Chelsea this season – provide us with important tests and they’re matches that allow us to truly see where we are individually and collectively.

07.03.2020

74

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07.03.2020

U18S, U23S & WOMEN FIXTURES, RESULTS & TABLES

Result

0-0

Wed 21

Crewe Alexandra

0-1

Nottingham Forest

0-0

Tue 27

Hull City

1-3

Sat 31

Burnley

1-2

Mon 2

Barnsley

3-0

Thurs 5

Birmingham City

5-1

Mon 9

Leeds United

0-0

Wigan Athletic

2-2

Mon 16

Bolton Wanderers

1-5

Sat 21

Cardiff City

2-3

Mon 23

Queens Park Rangers

3-1

Sat 28

Coventry City

0-7

Mon 14

Watford

0-2

OCT

Sat 14

Sat 5

Ipswich Town

2-1

Mon 21

Charlton Athletic

1-2

Sat 19

Queens Park Rangers

0-5

Mon 28

Cardiff City

3-0

Sat 2

Millwall

3-0

Mon 18

Bristol City

1-2

Charlton Athletic

1-1

Sat 16

Bristol City

2-1

Sat 7

Coventry City

4-0

Fri 20

Cardiff City

3-1

Fri 10

Queens Park Rangers

Sat 1

Millwall

Sat 8

Charlton Athletic

0-2

Tue 10 Sat 14

4-2

Mon 16

Ipswich Town

2-1

Mon 6

Queens Park Rangers

3-3

Wed 22

Charlton Athletic

2-1

5-2

Wed 29

Cardiff City

2-3

2-1

Mon 3

Bristol City

1-0

Mon 10

Coventry City

0-0

Watford

Tue 18

Millwall

1-0

Colchester United

Mon 2

Colchester United

5-1

Sat 21

Barnsley

Fri 6

Watford

Sat 28

Hull City

Mon 16

Ipswich Town

Tue 31

Ipswich Town

Mon 23

Wigan Athletic

Sat 4

Bolton Wanderers

Mon 30

Nottingham Forest

Sat 11

Sheffield Wednesday

Mon 6

Sheffield United

Wed 15

Watford

Thu 9

Colchester United

Sat 18

Leeds United

Tue 14

Coventry City

Wed 22

Bristol City

Mon 20

Sheffield Wednesday

Mon 27

APR MAY

JAN FEB MAR

Crewe Alexandra

MAR

Millwall

DEC

Mon 25

Sat 25

Opposition

Sun 18

Coventry United

Result 0-0

Sun 25

Durham

2-1

Sun 8

Lewes

1-1

Sun 15

Aston Villa

0-6

Sun 29

Leicester City

1-2

Sun 13

Sheffield United

1-5

Sun 27

London Bees

2-3

Sun 17

London City Lionesses

1-2

Sun 24

Blackburn Rovers

2-0

Sun 1

Charlton Athletic

1-1

Sun 15

Durham

1-4

Sun 12

Coventry United

3-2

Sun 19

Leicester City

1-3

Sun 23

London City Lionesses

1-1

Sun 1

Sheffield United

PP

Sun 22

Blackburn Rovers

Burnley

Sun 29

Charlton Athletic

Sun 19

Lewes

Sun 26

Aston Villa

Sun 10

London Bees

Team

P

Pts

Team

P

Pts

Team

P

Pts

1

Millwall

19

43

1

Watford

22

38

1

Aston Villa

14

40

2

Watford

18

37

2

Coventry City

21

38

2

Sheffield United

14

34

3

Bristol City

21

37

3

Millwall

20

37

3

Durham

14

32

4

Charlton Athletic

19

36

4

Cardiff City

21

31

4

London City Lionesses

15

26

5

Crystal Palace

18

31

5

Charlton Athletic

20

30

5

London Bees

12

15

6

Ipswich Town

20

28

6

Queens Park Rangers

21

29

6

Leicester City

15

15

7

Blackburn Rovers

12

10

7

Cardiff City

21

22

7

Ipswich Town

19

22

8

Crystal Palace

14

10

8

Coventry City

21

17

8

Bristol City

20

22

9

Lewes

12

9

9

Colchester United

18

16

9

Crystal Palace

20

16

10

Coventry United

14

9

10

Queens Park Rangers

20

15

10

Colchester United

20

16

11

Charlton Athletic

12

7

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

75

Sheffield United

Sat 24

SEP

Sat 17

Sat 9

Date

1-1 AUG

Birmingham City

SEP

Opposition

Mon 12

OCT

Date

NOV

0-4

DEC

Result

JAN

Colchester United

FEB

Opposition

Sat 10

AUG

Date

Professional Development League

APR

APR

MAR

FEB

JAN

DEC

NOV

OCT

SEP

AUG

U18 Professional Development League

MAY

APRIL

MARCH

FEBRUARY

JANUARY

DECEMBER

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER

AUGUST

15:00

Everton

Sun 18

14:00

Sheffield United

1-0

30,197

14th

Sat 24

15:00

Manchester United

1-2

73,454

10th

Tue 27

19:45

Colchester United (4-5p)

0-0

7,705

2RD

Sat 31

15:00

Aston Villa

1-0

25,248

4th

Sat 14

15:00

Tottenham Hotspur

4-0

59,812

12th

Sun 22

14:00

Wolverhampton Wanderers

1-1

25,122

12th

Sat 28

15:00

Norwich City

2-0

25,477

9th

Sat 5

17:30

West Ham United

1-2

59,912

6th

Sat 19

17:30

Manchester City

0-2

25,480

6th

Sun 27

16:30

Arsenal

2-2

60,345

6th

Sun 3

14:00

Leicester City

0-2

25,480

9th

Sat 9

12:30

Chelsea

2-0

40,525

12th

Sat 23

15:00

Liverpool

1-2

25,486

13th

Sat 30

15:00

Burnley

0-2

19,818

11th

Tue 3

19:30

AFC Bournemouth

1-0

23,497

7th

Sat 7

15:00

Watford

0-0

20,070

10th

Mon 16

19:45

Brighton & Hove Albion

1-1

24,175

9th

Sat 21

15:00

Newcastle United

1-0

45,453

11th

Thu 26

15:00

West Ham United

2-1

25,462

9th

Sat 28

15:00

Southampton

1-1

31,108

9th

Wed 1

17:30

Norwich City

1-1

27,021

9th

Sun 5

14:01

Derby County

0-1

15,507

3RD

Sat 11

12:30

Arsenal

1-1

25,468

9th

Sat 18

15:00

Manchester City

2-2

54,439

9th

Tue 21

19:30

Southampton

0-2

23,739

11th

Sat 1

15:00

Sheffield United

0-1

25,170

14th

Sat 8

12:30

Everton

3-1

38,987

14th

Sat 22

15:00

Newcastle United

1-0

25,486

13th

Sat 29

12:30

Brighton & Hove Albion

0-1

30,124

12th

Sat 7

15:00

Watford

OPPOSITION

Sat 14

15:00

AFC Bournemouth

Sat 21

17:30

Liverpool

TV

Sat 4

15:00

Burnley

Sat 11

15:00

Leicester City

Sat 18

12:30

Chelsea

Mon 27

20:00

Aston Villa

Sat 2

15:00

Manchester United

Sat 9

15:00

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Sun 17

15:00

Tottenham Hotspur

RES

ATT

POS

0-0

25,151

10th

All fixtures are subject to change

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

Cheikhou Kouyaté

KO

Sat 10

Max Meyer

DATE

Scott Dann

Red Card

James Tomkins

Yellow Card

Luka Milivojevic

Home Fixtures Away Fixtures Cup Fixtures Used Sub Unused Sub Goal(s) Started

Patrick van Aanholt

FIXTURES & RESULTS

Joel Ward

07.03.2020

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Jordan Ayew Andros Townsend Wilfried Zaha Mamadou Sakho Wayne Hennessey Jeffrey Schlupp Christian Benteke James McArthur Stephen Henderson Cenk Tosun Connor Wickham James McCarthy Victor Camarasa Gary Cahill Vicente Guaita Martin Kelly Sam Woods Nikola Tavares Nya Kirby Giovanni McGregor Tyrick Mitchell Brandon Pierrick James Daly Jairo Riedewald

07.03.2020

9 10 11 12 13 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 31 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 44

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

07.03.2020

LEAGUE TABLE Pos

Club

P

W

D

L

F

A

GD Pts

1

Liverpool

28

26

1

1

64

20

44

79

2

Manchester City

27

18

3

6

68

29

39

57

3

Leicester City

28

15

5

8

54

28

26

50

4

Chelsea

28

13

6

9

47

39

8

45

5

Manchester United

28

11

9

8

42

30

12

42

6

Wolverhampton Wanderers

28

10

12

6

41

34

7

42

7

Tottenham Hotspur

28

11

7

10

46

39

7

40

8

Sheffield United

27

10

10

7

29

25

4

40

9

Burnley

28

11

5

12

33

39

-6

38

10

Arsenal

27

8

13

6

39

36

3

37

11

Everton

28

10

7

11

37

42

-5

37

12

Crystal Palace

28

9

9

10

25

32

-7

36

13

Southampton

28

10

4

14

35

51 -16 34

Kevin De Bruyne

16 12

TOP SCORERS Pierre-E Aubameyang

17

Jamie Vardy

17

Sergio Agüero

16

Danny Ings

15

Mohamed Salah

15

Marcus Rashford

14

MOST ASSISTS

78

14

Newcastle United

28

8

8

12

24

41 -17 32

Trent Alexander-Arnold

15

Brighton & Hove Albion

28

6

10

12

32

40

Riyad Mahrez

8 7

-8

28

16

West Ham United

28

7

6

15

35

49 -14 27

Roberto Firmino

17

Watford

28

6

9

13

27

43 -16 27

Emiliano Buendía

7

Andrew Robertson

7

18

Bournemouth

28

7

6

15

28

45 -17 27

19

Aston Villa

27

7

4

16

34

52 -18 25

20

Norwich City

28

5

6

17

25

51 -26 21

GAMEWEEK 29 FIXTURES

Statistics correct as of: Thursday 5th March Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton & Hove Albion Saturday 7 March 2020 - 3pm

Liverpool v Bournemouth

Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur

Saturday 7 March 2020 - 12:30pm

Saturday 7 March 2020 - 5:30pm

Arsenal v West Ham

Chelsea v Everton

Saturday 7 March 2020 - 3pm

Sunday 8 March 2020 - 2pm

Crystal Palace v Watford

Manchester United v Manchester City

Saturday 7 March 2020 - 3pm

Sunday 8 March 2020 - 4:30pm

Sheffield United v Norwich

Leicester City v Aston Villa

Saturday 7 March 2020 - 3pm

Monday 8 March 2020 - 8pm

Southampton v Newcastle United

Manchester City v Arsenal

Saturday 7 March 2020 - 3pm

Wednesday 11 March 2020 - 7:30pm

CRYSTAL PALACE V WATFORD

In our game There’s always room for passion.

There’s room for rivalry.

There’s room for emotion.

But there is no room for racism.

If you see it, report it.

Download the Kick It Out app, or tell a police officer or steward in the stadium.

alac Anthony TAYLOR Darren ENGLAND

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hornets

Joel WARD Patrick VAN AANHOLT Luka MILIVOJEVIC James TOMKINS Scott DANN Max MEYER Cheikhou KOUYATÉ Jordan AYEW Andros TOWNSEND Wilfried ZAHA Mamadou SAKHO (GK) Wayne HENNESSEY Jeffrey SCHLUPP Christian BENTEKE James MCARTHUR (GK) Stephen HENDERSON Cenk TOSUN James MCCARTHY Gary CAHILL (GK) Vicente GUAITA Martin KELLY Jaïro RIEDEWALD

01 02 04 06 07 08 09 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 33 35 37

Heurelho GOMES (GK) Daryl JANMAAT Craig DAWSON Adrian MARIAPPA Gerard DEULOFEU Tom CLEVERLEY Troy DEENEY Danny WELBECK Adam MASINA Adalberto PEÑARANDA Nathaniel CHALOBAH Craig CATHCART Abdoulaye DOUCOURÉ Joao PEDRO Andre GRAY Will HUGHES Domingos QUINA Kiko FEMENÍA Isaac SUCCESS Ismaïla SARR Tom DELE-BASHIRU José HOLEBAS Ben FOSTER (GK) Christian KABASELE Étienne CAPOUE Ignacio PUSSETTO Daniel BACHMANN (GK) Roberto PEREYRA

TODAY’S OFFICIALS Gary BESWICK Adam NUNN Stuart ATTWELL Stephen CHILD