Crystal Palace v Chelsea matchday programme 2324 by Crystal Palace F.C.

Crystal Palace √ chelsea

mon 12 feb 2024 20:00 kick-off

palace √ chelsea mon 12 feb | 20:00

08 06 manager 10 chairman 12 mayor of london 44 ben bailey smith 46 academy 52 history makers 56 RETRO PALACE 62 PALACE FOR LIFE 69 BEAT BRIGHTY 70 stats & results

Directors Chairman Steve Parish, David Blitzer, Joshua Harris, John Textor Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell Head of Sports Medicine Dr. Zaf Iqbal Academy Director Gary Issott Director of U21 Development Mark Bright Chief Operating Officer Sharon Lacey Chief Commercial Officer Barry Webber General Counsel David Nichol Head of Ticketing Paul McGowan Head of Retail Foz Bowers Chief Marketing and Communications Officer James Woodroof Head of Safeguarding Cassi Wright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott

14 It’s different – it’s changed a lot, I can’t really go out in Croydon too much anymore. I’ve got to watch where I go and the things I do, but I’m enjoying life now. I was prepared for it

Editor Will Robinson Design Billy Cooke, Stu Ellmer, Lucas Gough

Contributors Ian King, Robin Johnson, Toby Jagmohan, Tommy Macarthur, Doc Brown, Bobby Vincent Photography Neil Everitt, Sebastian Frej, Pinnacle Photo Agency, Toby Jagmohan, Getty Printer Bishops Printers

contents

palace √ chelsea mon 12 feb | 20:00

CRUNCH FIXTURES AHEAD It’s set to be another busy month at Crystal Palace, with the Under21s’ Premier League International Cup campaign continuing. Having seen off some of Europe’s best in the group stage, Darren Powell’s side take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the quarter-finals as they look to reach the final for a second year running. You can get down to support the boys on Monday, 26th February (19:00 GMT) at the VBS Community Stadium in Sutton, with tickets available from just £2 and free to Academy Founder

Members – just head to cpfc.co.uk to get yours. The Under-18s are also in the hunt for silverware this season, and can put their FA Youth Cup disappointment behind them in the Premier League Cup. Zach Marsh, Jesse Derry and co. face Manchester United in the semifinals on Saturday, 2nd March at Carrington, with the game set to be streamed LIVE on Palace TV+. Palace Women are also in action in March, making a return to Selhurst Park to take on Watford – and fans booking before 23rd February will receive a 50% ‘early bird’ discount. The

Eagles are just three points behind Charlton in the race for promotion to the Women’s Super League, and are looking to beat last November’s record ticket sales of 4,442 this time out. Head to cpfc.co.uk to find out more.

On this day 12 feb 2000 Neil Warnock’s Sheffield United arrived at Selhurst Park and took the lead thanks to former-Palace striker Marcus Bent – who was replaced in the second-half by future captain Shaun Derry. The Eagles rescued a point in the final minute, as Fan Zhiyi set up Clinton Morrison to fire home, to manager Steve Coppell’s delight.

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briefing

Welcome to Selhurst Park to Mauricio Pochettino, his Chelsea team and coaching staff, and welcome back to every Crystal Palace supporter for what is sure to be a tough test under the lights.

here is no doubt we have suffered two bitterly disappointing defeats on the road in the last few weeks. The players and I understand and share in the frustration that this has led to, but please be assured we are working hard to turn things around and get back on track to climb the table. After the victory against Sheffield United we had hoped we had turned the corner in having our key players available and back on the pitch, only for us to take another step backwards losing Marc Guehi, Michael Olise and Ebere Eze again. Injuries are part and parcel of football, of course, but I do believe this season has proved to be particularly cruel in that regard, not least for the players involved. Despite this being another bitter blow, this does, however, give the opportunity for those players who have been waiting patiently for their chance to step in and show us what they can do. I was delighted to be able to welcome Daniel Muñoz and Adam Wharton to the squad at the end of January, and given the fact

Injuries are part and parcel of football, of course, but I do believe this season has proved to be particularly cruel in that regard, not least for the players involved

manager

that we have a lot of injuries to contend with at the moment, they were both given an early chance to make their Premier League debuts. I thought both players coped with that situation exceptionally well and confirmed the qualities that we knew they had, and were hoping that they would be able to bring to the game. For Adam, who is still such a young man, it was a real baptism of fire but, like Daniel, his performance was good, and he showed why we were so keen to bring him in. Tonight, we face a tough task against a Chelsea side packed with full internationals which the club has prised from some of the best teams in Europe over the last few years. Mauricio Pochettino, who I’m sure will be determined to help Chelsea climb the table in the remainder of the season, will set up his team to be energetic and fast in attack, and we will make sure we are at our most disciplined to deal with that threat. In December, we were desperately unlucky to come away

This club has always come through difficult times together and we hope we can rely on you to play your part as you have always done. It really makes a difference to the players to know you are supporting them and being the 12th man, which makes our club and Selhurst Park a unique place to play

manager

from Stamford Bridge on the end of a narrow defeat: with minutes remaining it felt as though even a draw would be a disappointing result, having been pushing for a winning goal, before a late penalty awarded by VAR dashed our hopes. With your support behind them the team will be giving everything to get a positive result tonight, which is a chance for us to record a third consecutive league victory at Selhurst Park in front of our home supporters – so I hope you will stick with us from the first to the last minute. This club has always come through difficult times together and we hope we can rely on you to play your part as you have always done. It really makes a difference to the players to know you are supporting them and being the 12th man, which makes our club and Selhurst Park a unique place to play. Enjoy the game

captain

Welcome back to Selhurst Park for this evening’s game, which promises to be a special Monday Night Football under the lights.

et me begin by thanking you for your support on the road in the last few weeks. Believe me: we as players share your disappointment at some of our recent results, but the only way we can turn things around is by continuing to work hard every day in training and giving our all on the pitch. This dressing room is filled with battlers and competitors, and nobody likes to be on the end of a defeat. It stings, but we all share the belief that we can come out in the next game and put right what went wrong. In that vein, the players have been working hard in training to prepare for this evening’s game. We know that we will have to be at our very best to come out on top against one of the most talented sides in the Premier League, but we have full confidence that if we maintain our concentration, win our one-againstone battles and work as a team, we can do just that. We were all pleased to be able to welcome Daniel and Adam to the dressing room. Daniel is a fierce competitor who I’m sure will relish the combative nature of the Premier

This dressing room is filled with battlers and competitors, and nobody likes to be on the end of a defeat. It stings, but we all share the belief that we can come out in the next game and put right what went wrong

captain

League, while Adam is an exciting young talent who is ready to make the step up to the top-flight – we have all witnessed his performances in training since his arrival, demonstrating a maturity far beyond his years. We have won our last two Premier League games at Selhurst Park, and that is in no small part down to your support. It is no exaggeration to say that the noise inside the stadium can give us a real advantage, giving the players that extra energy in the tightest games, or breaking down the resolve of a difficult opponent. I hope we can add another three points tonight, but we will need your backing to do so. We were unlucky not to get more at Stamford Bridge just after Christmas, and we believe in our ability to get over the line this evening. Stick with us, make some noise and I hope we can put together a performance this evening that will make you proud. God Bless. JW

chairman

Welcome to the supporters, players, staff and directors of Chelsea to Selhurst Park for tonight’s match. Welcome as always to each and every Crystal Palace supporter here to get behind the team.

e topped the spending charts in the transfer window, and I am sure you will join me in extending the warmest of welcomes to our new players Adam and Daniel. Both players are exceptional talents, and I look forward to them making their first appearance in front of you all at Selhurst Park. You have always been excellent at welcoming new players, and I’m sure that tradition will continue. Since my last notes we have had a hard-fought win against Sheffield United followed by a very disappointing result on the road. In both games we suffered injuries to important players. It is an unquestionably a concerning and challenging period. As a lifelong fan, and, of course, as Chairman, I share in your frustrations. We are all hurting from the defeat last week. Rest assured we are all working extremely hard to turn things around and get a more consistent run of results. But whilst those players are on the treatment table, opportunities

We have to stick together and we all have to get behind the 11 players on the pitch. Coming up against a side like Chelsea makes your support and encouragement even more important chairman

will be available for those coming into the side to impress and make a positive impact – but more than ever they need your support. We have to stick together and we all have to get behind the 11 players on the pitch. Coming up against a side like Chelsea makes your support and encouragement even more important for the team to perform at their best. I know that we will get through this tough period, like we have always done at Palace. Elsewhere, our women’s team beat Southampton to ensure we remain in the hunt for promotion to the WSL. Home games await this Sunday and on 3rd March – and with 1,000 people at the team’s most recent home match, we are building a great crowd at our new home in Sutton. Our Under-21s also topped their group and advanced to the last 16 of the Premier League Cup, and we wish them well. Up the Palace

Mayor

London Mayor Sadiq Khan addresses football fans in the nation’s capital…

rom Ghana to Croydon, Jordan Ayew’s story illustrates how Crystal Palace – and London – benefit from being open to talent, whether it’s overseas or homegrown. The truth is British football wouldn’t be the dynamic, thrilling, successful spectacle it is today without the presence of players, staff and fans from across the globe. However, it’s not just football that has been enhanced by different communities. Every aspect of our city – from our food and music to our economy and culture – has been enriched by the energy and input of people from all parts of the world. It’s why we recently launched our new London for Everyone campaign – to celebrate the contributions of all Londoners, to promote unity and mutual respect, and to showcase the power of our diversity, which is fundamental to making London the greatest city on earth. As Mayor of London, I want everyone to know that they are welcome in our city, regardless of their social class or skin colour, their borough, background or birthplace. No matter who you are or who you love, no matter which faith you

The truth is British football wouldn’t be the dynamic, thrilling, successful spectacle it is today without the presence of players, staff and fans from across the globe

follow or language you speak – if you live in London and call our city home, you are respected and valued here. We do not tolerate racism, religious discrimination or any prejudice towards disabled or LGBTQI+ people. No matter what or who may try to divide us, we’re clear: London is for everyone. For more information about London for Everyone and the work Mayor

we’re doing to build a better, fairer, safer and more affordable city for all, search ‘London For Everyone’ online

Sadiq Khan Mayor of London

A year on from making his Premier League debut, David Ozoh sits down with Will Robinson to look back on a life-changing 12 months, a Premier League baptism of fire and the potential for magical moments at Selhurst Park in the future…

avid Ozoh is not your normal 18-year-old. In the last 12 months, he should have been worrying about school or exams, the potential search for a first job or for a university place, the possibility of moving away from home or taking a year to travel around the world. Instead, he has played Premier League football at some of the country’s biggest stadiums. In short, his life has changed. “It’s different – it’s changed a lot,” he says, sitting down to reflect on an extraordinary personal 12 months. “I can’t really go out in Croydon too much anymore. I’ve got to watch where I go and the things I do, but I’m enjoying life now. I was prepared for it. “I get people are in uni and stuff, and it’s crazy how I’m just playing in the Premier League. It’s just weird. I feel like our lives are just completely different. I get [friends] telling me stuff about school, and all I’m thinking about is who I’m playing the next week. “They’re telling me about assignments, and I just can’t relate.” We put it to Ozoh, gently, that it is unlikely they can relate to spending the weekend playing at Old Trafford, either. The point is well taken. “It’s good having friends outside of football, because sometimes you can get caught up in it too much. People on the outside can ease your brain out of it a little bit. They’re happy for me.”

I get people are in uni and stuff, and it’s crazy how I’m just playing in the Premier League. It’s just weird. I feel like our lives are just completely different. I get [friends] telling me stuff about school, and all I’m thinking about is who I’m playing the next week

David ozoh

A far cry from the nervous scholar who made his way up to senior training, Ozoh is now relaxed in the first-team environment, and chats freely about his journey so far. His friendly manner has won him friends from a young age, and in an industry as cut-throat as football it can be invaluable to have allies on your side. He picks out a perfect example. “My school teacher still comes to all my games,” he says. “I’m grateful to him – he has known me for a long time. There was a school trial in Year 7 and I didn’t go, but someone must have told him there was a Palace player in the school.

It’s good having friends outside of football David ozoh

This is my time to show everyone what I can do David ozoh

“He came straight to me and said: ‘You have to play for my school team.’ He would actually work the games around my training days. If I didn’t have training, he would rearrange the matches. I think he changed like 30 or 40 matches just so I could play.” Ozoh repaid him in the immediacy by scoring in a penalty shoot-out to win the national cup, but his blossoming Premier League career is a far bigger reward in itself. It’s a peculiar period breaking into the first-team while balancing Academy commitments. The step up to the top level is not one to be taken lightly. “I was 16 when I first joined the first-team, so I was quite young and the pace of the game was really different,” he remembers. “It was quite weird, because I would train with the first-team and then I wouldn’t really know what the Under-21s were doing in terms of tactics, so I would have to come in the day before a bit confused. But playing with Premier League players week in, week out improves you.” It is natural to feel a bit of imposter syndrome as a young player, but Ozoh remembers the sudden realisation that he was exactly where he belonged. “There was a moment – when I first came through it was tough, I’m not going to lie to you,” he says. “But towards the end of last season I trained in the first-team and I felt: ‘I’ve got the pact now.’

He came straight to me and said: ‘You have to play for my school team.’ He would actually work the games around my training days. If I didn’t have training, he would rearrange the matches. I think he changed like 30 or 40 matches just so I could play

David ozoh

“I scored a goal in the smallsided game. It was a one-two with Joa [Andersen] and I got it back and smashed it bottom bins. I just remember the reaction from all the players and the coaches [and thinking]: ‘This is me now. This is my time to show everyone what I can do’.” Ozoh is a confident young man, but he is the first to admit that a Premier League debut is a daunting occasion. On Saturday, 21st January 2023, Palace were taking on Newcastle United at Selhurst Park, and the game was goalless heading into the latter stages. Suddenly, the midfielder was told to prepare himself to enter the fray.

“When I got told to warm up I was really nervous,” he remembers. “When the manager told me to take my jumper off I was thinking: ‘This is getting real now.’ I remember [Joel] Wardy giving me my shin pads, and I pulled my hand out and I was literally shaking. I was shaking and thinking: ‘Wow, this is really happening’. “But once I was on the pitch I was good. The welcome I got from the crowd was really good, man – I was surprised. I was just getting a few touches in, trying to get my confidence up. I’m just grateful to the fans for making me feel welcome that day.” We begin to list the stadiums that Ozoh has featured at since. Old Trafford, the Etihad, the Emirates, Stamford Bridge, St James’ Park - “Goodison Park,” he interjects. It’s clear this is a player relishing every opportunity. “Coming on in those big stadiums when the atmosphere is lit up, it just gives me the confidence to come on and be like: ‘You know what, I’ve done it at the Etihad, I’ve done it at this place. I can do it in these stadiums.’ “It’s what you dream of, isn’t it? Those 60,000 to 70,000 seater stadiums.” Is there one which stands out? “Old Trafford,” he says without hesitation. “That one, because my dad supported [Manchester United]. He was there, so for him to watch me come on and see me against the team he supported must have been very emotional for him. He was really proud of me.”

When I got told to warm up I was really nervous. When the manager told me to take my jumper off I was thinking: ‘This is getting real now.’ I remember [Joel] Wardy giving me my shin pads, and I pulled my hand out and I was literally shaking

David ozoh

Coming on in the thick of the action is never easy, but to do it against the league’s very best in a hostile atmosphere is even harder. “It’s not easy coming on because you’re sitting down for 30 or 40 minutes, then you’re on for 10 minutes throughout the game. The Premier League is really fast, so coming on is not easy,” Ozoh explains. “The players are 10 times smarter as well, so you have to get up with the pace of the game. For me, once you get that first pass or first tackle, especially the tackle, I just feel comfortable again.

I can do it in these stadiums David ozoh

after that, I got a really good picture David ozoh

“I like to play these games, to try to show people what I can do against a big team. Especially when I came on at the Etihad, it was a lot of pressure. To come on at 1-0 down, and then to go 2-0 down, to come back was the best thing ever. “The tackle on [Phil] Foden [to win the last-minute penalty], I remember that. Obviously no one really knows who I am in the league, so I’m not really respected in that sense – Foden just thought: ‘Yeah, let me just try to go past him!’ “I’ve backed myself when it comes to one-v-one duels, so I was confident when he was coming up to me. Celebrating in front of the fans as well, after that, I got a really good picture. It was a good moment. It was a heart-to-heart with the fans, just the love and appreciation and everything.” Selhurst Park roared a firm tackle from David Ozoh against Sheffield United, but might they be celebrating a first professional goal soon? Watch this space… “That was one of my dreams, to do that,” he says of the crowd’s reaction to his challenge. “I just love playing for the club, for the badge, for the fans. I want to do it again and again and again. “I need to get that goal at Selhurst. Me and Jes [Rak-Sakyi] were talking; he said he would prefer to score away, because the limbs are just crazy, but I think I need a Selhurst Park goal.

Every time I come on, every time I’m walking to the dressing room or anything, I just feel the love from the fans so much. I feel like a goal is just to show my appreciation for them, and show the love that I have for them

David ozoh

“Every time I come on, every time I’m walking to the dressing room or anything, I just feel the love from the fans so much. I feel like a goal is just to show my appreciation for them, and show the love that I have for them.” An Academy graduate scoring at Selhurst Park to send the home fans wild – it’s hard to think of anything a supporter could want more. Does he have a celebration planned? “I haven’t got one, but I have been thinking. I need to get one soon, because I feel like it’s coming soon. Everything happens for a reason, and I think I could score an important goal soon…”

the follow -up

This season, we’re putting your questions to members of the Palace squad. To have a chance of seeing your question answered by a first-team star, just head to cpfc.co.uk and submit your burning enquiries…

david ozoh What is your favourite TV show? terry davies Money Heist. I watched it in Spanish but with the subtitles on. I just enjoyed it so much, especially because it was during the first big lockdown, so that was keeping me from going insane. It was really good – I would watch it again.

Would you rather win the Champions League or the World Cup? Phil Butcher The World Cup. Just having your country behind you, I think that’s the main thing. It would have to be World Cup, 100 percent.

Where is your ideal holiday destination?

Who was your footballing idol? James Staniforth Growing up it was Lionel Messi, but I have kind of changed to Cristiano Ronaldo because of his mentality. Growing up I didn’t really see that side of football. We were young, just enjoying football. But now I see Ronaldo’s mentality.

If you could play alongside one midfielder, who would it be? Richard Hart I would say Andrés Iniesta. He makes everything look easy. I grew up in Spain so I watched him a lot, and seeing him was great. He made everything look 10 times easier. the follow-up

Jasmine Greene Bali – I’m going there this year. For me, holidays are just to reset, recharge. I’m not really a party person. I’m just going there to relax, put my feet up and take in the sun. I would go anywhere that is hot.

Got a question? Scan Here

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01/09/2023 12:42

chelsea

Opposition preview There has been a frustrating sense of ‘two steps forward, one step back’ with Chelsea this season, never better demonstrated than by their recent run of results. An important win over Fulham followed by a thumping victory over Middlesbrough in the League Cup – to reach a first final under Mauricio Pochettino – before consecutive defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Wolves, conceding eight goals in the process. Pochettino’s arrival has failed to calm the turbulence around Stamford Bridge, with an expensively assembled squad of players still getting used to one another’s presence: they have signed 28 firstteam players since the beginning of last season under the ownership of Todd Boehly. It has left Pochettino

this season pos

pts

Top Scorer cole palmer (10) Most assists Conor Gallagher {4}

CHELSEA

chelsea with a very young squad, and there will be hope that if he can stabilise the club this season, there will be room for exponential growth in the coming years as a talented collection of youngsters blossom into fully developed Premier League stars. A first trophy in the League Cup would go a long way to easing concerns over this season, and victory over Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool would be a landmark result in the progress of his side. Tonight, Chelsea are aiming to avoid a third straight defeat in the Premier League, which would be their longest run since April last season, when defeat to Wolves sparked a four-game losing streak. If they are to keep up their hopes of taking part in European football next season, a result in south London is a must.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino -

Pochettino created the best Spurs side in decades when he guided the club to second place in the Premier League and the Champions League final, but silverware eluded him in north London. After a spell with Paris Saint-Germain, winning the league title, he is back in the capital to try to work his magic once again.

chelsea

Starting xi

2-4 chelsea √ wolves sun 04 feb / stamford bridge

18 07

23 08

20 25

subs

D. Petrovic

M. Bettinelli

M. Gusto

L. Bergsrtöm

A. Disasi

B. Badiashile

T. Silva

M. Mudryk

B. Chilwell

N. Madueke

M. Caicedo

N. Jackson

E. Fernández

C. Chukwuemeka

C. Palmer

C. Casadei

C. Gallagher

A. Gilchrist

R. Sterling

C. Nkunku

goal cards

subs

pos res

oppo

Recent matches

6-1

0-0

4-1

2-4

1-3

Recent meetings

BOOT IN BOTH CAMPS GARY CAHILL Two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, one League Cup, one Europa League and a Champions League title at Stamford Bridge. He spent two years at Selhurst after almost 300 appearances at Chelsea.

19 february 2022 selhurst park

17 april 2022 stamford bridge

1 october 2022 selhurst park

15 january 2023 stamford bridge

27 december 2023 stamford bridge

chelsea

briefing What’s the story? After Gus Mears purchased Stamford Bridge in 1904, he offered it to Fulham as a new home ground. When they turned him down, he founded his own club instead: Chelsea. After promotion to the First Division, they became known for their money spent signing star players (history repeats itself etc.) which attracted large crowds, but success proved elusive. Chelsea’s first title arrived in 1955 under the stewardship of Ted Drake, before earning a first FA Cup success in 1970 and European honours the following year, beating Real Madrid in the Cup Winners’ Cup final in Athens. Financial issues followed, with Chelsea only stabilised in the late 1990s under Gianluca Vialli, who won the League Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup, Super Cup and FA

Cup. His replacement, Claudio Ranieri, earned Champions League qualification – but another league title still eluded them. Then everything changed. In 2003, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich purchased the club, and lavished his new side with over £100 million of new players. When Ranieri failed to deliver trophies, an ambitious European Cup winner named José Mourinho was flown in from Portugal to take over, winning back-to-back league titles with new signings like Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben, Ricardo Carvalho and Petr Cech; an FA Cup and two League Cups followed. A first European Cup triumph came under former player Roberto Di Matteo, before further league titles under Mourinho (again) and Antonio Conte. Thomas Tuchel added a second Champions League triumph. Then, thanks to the

Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions, everything changed again. The club was sold to Todd Boehly’s consortium, who have since spent more than £1 billion on players in just over a year, and finished last season in 12th place.

Season 2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

1 2 3 Position

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

chelsea

2018/19

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

the greatest manager José Mourinho “Please do not call me arrogant because what I’m saying is true: I’m a European champion, so I'm not one out of the bottle. I think I am a special one.” Has there ever been a more iconic opening salvo from a manager? To say it is one thing, but to back it up is another. Mourinho did just that, winning back-to-back titles with a then-record 95 points and a seemingly unbreakable record of just 15 league goals conceded. He returned for a second spell in 2013, and won the league again.

1-1p BAYERN MUNICH √ CHELSEA UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ALLIANZ ARENA / 19 MAY 2012 TH

The agony of a late Bayern goal, the ecstasy of a flying Drogba equaliser, the pain of extra-time and penalty shoot-out glory – exorcising the demons of John Terry’s infamous slip against Manchester United in 2008 – make this Chelsea’s greatest hour, as they became European champions for the very first time. To beat Bayern in their own back yard was an upset, to say the least, with past and future Palace players Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole in the Chelsea back-line.

chelsea

Frank Lampard He scored 211 goals in 648 games. We have to fill the programme space, but we could just leave it there and there could be few arguments. Arriving from West Ham with a big reputation thanks to his father’s exemplary career, Lampard won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League at Stamford Bridge, before returning as manager in 2019.

01 28 03 Djordje Petrovic

Marc Cucurella

pos

GOALKEEPER

pos

defender

nat

SERBIA

nat

SPAIN

age

05 06

Robert Sánchez

Benoît Badiashile

goalkeeper SPAIN age

height

6ft 6in

joined

2023

from

pos

defender

nat age

Thiago Silva pos

defender

FRANCE

nat

BRAZIL

age

Sánchez lost his No. 1 spot at Brighton to Jason Steele, and promptly moved to Chelsea as the starting goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge. His shotstopping is complemented by his comfort playing out.

Malo Gusto pos

defender

nat

FRANCE

age

Gusto made his debut as a highly rated 18-year-old at Lyon and soon nailed down a starting spot. He has a growing reputation as an adventurous and attacking full-back with potential for the future.

chelsea

02 08

Enzo Fernández pos

midfielder

nat

ARGENTINA

age

Benfica signed Fernández for around £10 million in 2022, but within six months he was on his way to Chelsea for 10 times that fee, costing more than £100 million last January after lifting the World Cup in Qatar.

14 21

Axel Disasi

Trevoh Chalobah

DEFENDER FRANCE age

height

6ft 3in

joined

2023

from Signed for a huge £38.5 million in August, Disasi was part of the France side to reach the World Cup final in 2022, making his debut during the tournament. He scored on his Chelsea debut against Liverpool.

pos

defender

nat age

Ben Chilwell pos

defender

ENGLAND

nat

england

age

pos

defender

pos

defender

nat

ENGLAND

nat

ENGLAND

age

24 26 REECE JAMES

chelsea

Levi Colwill

Mykhailo Mudryk pos

FORWARD

nat

UKRAINE

age

Mudryk sparked a bidding war when it became clear he was leaving Shakhtar Donetsk, with Chelsea beating Arsenal to his signature for a fee which makes him the most expensive Ukranian footballer of all time.

16 17

Conor Gallagher

Lesley ugochukwu

Carney Chukwuemeka

pos

MIDFIELDER

pos

midfielder

nat

FRANCE

nat

england

age

25 45 Moisés Caicedo

Roméo Lavia

pos

MIDFIELDER

pos

midfielder

nat

ECUADOR

nat

BELGIUM

age

chelsea

MIDFIELDER ENGLAND age

height

6ft 0in

joined

from

ACADEMY

Gallagher was Palace’s Player of the Year in 2021/22, scoring eight times in 39 appearances on loan before returning to his boyhood club. He now regularly captains the side.

07 11 20 Raheem Sterling

Noni Madueke

pos

FORWARD

pos

FORWARD

nat

england

nat

england

age

15 36 Nicolas Jackson pos

forward

nat age

deivid washington pos

FORWARD

Senegal

nat

brazil

age

COLE PALMER

Christopher Nkunku pos

FORWARD

nat

FRANCE

age

Bundesliga top goalscorer and Footballer of the Year in 2022, Nkunku’s long-awaited arrival at Chelsea was delayed by a serious injury in pre-season training, but he scored his first Premier League goal in December.

chelsea

FORWARD ENGLAND age

height

6ft 2in

joined

2023

from Chelsea caught everyone by surprise when they splashed £45 million on Palmer – while Man City raised eyebrows by letting him go. He has since been one of the league’s inform players this season.

arsenal

Delivered by:

Stat zone

Chelsea have won their last 12 games against Palace – they've never won 13 in a row against an opponent in their league history.

03 73

Apps

104

clean sheets

conceded

116

tackles

117

tackle success

60%

interceptions

132

clearances

388

recoveries

604

duels won

380

forward

raheem sterling

assists

Apps

369

goals

120

shots

749

shots on target

307

shooting accuracy

41%

big chances missed

113

assists

passes

11,391

passes per match

30.87

crosses

681

yellow cards

red cards

70.09

accurate long balls

482

played 29 4

goals

penalties won

penalties scored

clean sheets

yellow cards

red cards

passes per match

23/24 season goals 26 38

conceded

average possesion 42.7% 58.8%

pass accuracy 77.8% 85.6%

clean sheets 5 5

tackles 398 426

chelsea

defender

thiago silva

40 39

Eagle Eye Bobby Vincent is the Chelsea writer for Football.London, and has been covering the club since 2022 as they began a new era under Todd Boehly’s ownership.

How has Pochettino performed so far? It has not been easy for Pochettino. Whoever came through the door did not have an easy job on their hands, with such a young squad and very few having experience in England beforehand. He has led them to a Carabao Cup final, which looks big in the grand scheme of things. So in that regard, there has been slight progress, although Chelsea supporters want to see more, understandably.

Has the number of signings made the manager’s job more difficult? Yes, in a way. Pochettino essentially had to start from zero when he took the job last summer. Chelsea's owners are very ambitious and the way they want

the club to proceed is by buying – what they believe to be – the best young footballers around. The fact that they are all so young makes it even more difficult. In my own personal opinion, they need more balance with experienced heads as well as the younger ones.

Who is Chelsea’s most important player – and whose contribution flies under the radar? Cole Palmer has been Chelsea's best and most important player this season. Palmer has been a revelation since coming in from Manchester City. He has added far more than expected by most to the Chelsea attack and without him, it is frightening to see where the Blues would be. Moisés Caicedo flies under the radar. He has received a lot of criticism for his record transfer fee but in recent matches, the Ecuadorian has been fantastic in the Blues' midfield.

What is the key to Chelsea beginning to find some consistency? Chelsea, bar what happened against Wolves eight days ago, have been strong at home recently. Away from home, chelsea

though, has been a totally different story. Trying to find the right mentality on the road is imperative. With such a young squad, it seems they have almost been intimidated by away crowds before. Pochettino keeps using the word ‘mature’ and how he wants his players to become more so in the future, but that looks like it could be time-consuming.

Who is a name for the future to keep an eye on? There are so many young and talented footballers coming through at Chelsea right now. Jimmy-Jay Morgan looks a real star in the making for the academy. Just 18-years-old, the striker has flourished in the Premier League 2 this season and I do not think it will be too long before we start seeing him in some of the senior squads to get a bit more experience.

We meet again From memorable meetings to tense transfers to shared stories, Palace have their own personal tale to tell for each of our Premier League opposition this season. Here, a London derby means victory for the underdogs…

PALACE GIVE CHELSEA THE BLUES As we approach a century of football at Selhurst Park, head back to Chelsea’s first visit during the inaugural 1924/25 campaign. Palace were on the slide down the Division Two table, without a win in six and in dire need of results to remain above the two relegation places. Legendary manager and club secretary Edmund Goodman gambled, making two changes as Dick Cracknell and Bill Hand came into the side for a fierce London derby. A respectable crowd of around 12,000 arrived on the afternoon of Wednesday, 1st April – the game had been shifted to midweek (nothing changes!) due to Palace’s involvement in the FA Cup. Conditions were ideal and hopes were high. The goalkeepers were busy throughout the first-half, with Chelsea’s Benjamin Howard keeping Hand at bay and tipping Tom Hoddinott’s effort over the bar; Bill Harper in the Palace goal expertly held Andy Wilson’s 30-yard effort. The second-half turned into a feistier affair, with Chelsea beginning to dominate the game, knocking the ball to their forwards

In the closing stages, Palace reshuffled their forward line as Hoddinott and Hand swapped places. It had the desired effect: three minutes from time Albert Harry was sent down the wing by Hand, getting the better of the disorientated Chelsea back-line and crossing into the penalty area. His delivery fell to George Whitworth, who drove his volley past Howard and into the back of the net. Two hugely important points gained placed the club in a decent position to secure their safety, but unfortunately the Glaziers could not push on and defeat at home to Oldham Athletic in the final game of the season sealed their fate. Palace: Harper, Blake, Cross, McCracken, Strang, Cracknell, Harry, Hoddinott, Whitworth, Blakemore, Hand.

at will. Billy Blake got his head to a shot from Jimmy Armstrong to clear, before tempers began to fray. The game was still there for the taking. chelsea

Chelsea: Howard, Baker, Smith, Harrow, Priestley, Rodger, Cameron, Ferguson, Wilson, Armstrong, Miller, McNeil.

‘It’ is discrimination, in all its forms. Racism. Homophobia, Misogyny. Disablism. If you have seen it or heard it, follow the QR code to report it to Kick It Out. Together, we can put an end to it.

Take action today at kickitout.org arsenal

THROUGH THE LENS

ATKINSON SCORES FIRST GOAL FOR PALACE

through the lens

WELCOME TO THE CLUB Play Now

arsenal

ben bailey-smith

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

CRISES AND OTHER CLICHÉS And so, I’m told, we’re back. Back in that place so many of us fear – in the oft cited footballing purgatory generally referred to as 'crisis'. In any given season, almost half the clubs in every division enter this terrifying void. Of those, one or two may even be engulfed by it, succumb to it. And of those, maybe one will suffer knock-on effects that last years. But on the whole, the footballing ‘crisis’ tends to be a catch-all cliché, bandied about for clickbait, additional melodrama and column inches. Don’t get me wrong, if we were suffering some cataclysmic fall from grace, staring wistfully at all our recent European silverware and World Cup winning players only to find ourselves in a dogfight, I might well entertain the idea that we were spiralling dangerously towards oblivion. But if you’re a Palace fan and unlucky enough to be over 21 years of age, the idea that teetering above the relegation zone with a spate

if we were staring wistfully at all our recent European silverware and World Cup winning players only to find ourselves in a dogfight, I might well entertain the idea that we were spiralling dangerously towards oblivion

ben bailey-smith

of injuries and a dire run of results constitutes a ‘crisis’ kind of ignores the modern history of the club. I was a wide-eyed student at the University of East Anglia, stood in the away end at Carrow Road, celebrating a paltry 1-1 draw. Why? Because in 1999, we really needed something to celebrate. Seeing fans create an ingenious ode to our striker by combining plastic bags pilfered from the Norwich branches of Clinton’s Cards and Morrison’s supermarket was enough to put a smile on my face, despite the underwhelming result. Easy to forget, but we were in administration for an entire year. A year! A whole season of not knowing what was going to happen to your club – would it even exist tomorrow? This was not a knee injury to Marc Guéhi, this was genuine existential fear – true crisis. Even when we were saved at the 11th hour, security was not something we would truly feel for over a decade yet. Sure enough, over 10 years later we stood, four months into a fresh administration, chewing our collective fingernails to the bone in the stands at Hillsborough, teetering on the brink of a third division abyss. The next time I would feel anything close to how I felt that day would be around 13 hours into my wife’s 22hour labour giving birth to our first child. Again, incomparable. And though we stormed the pitch in wild jubilation, the BBC match report brought me swiftly back down to earth from what was a bittersweet Cloud Nine:

“Palace's celebrations are tinged with uncertainty as the south London club are in administration and facing serious questions about their survival. The Eagles have no funds to remain operating beyond the end of the season. Hope rests with the CPFC 2010 consortium, which has expressed an interest in buying the club."

in difficult periods there’s nothing like a little perspective to balance the emotional books. imagine spending a billion quid and finishing below Crystal Palace? That would be mad

A month later we were outside Lloyds of London, stressing the importance of this famous club to us, to our families, to our community. If negotiations were unsuccessful by 3pm that day, Crystal Palace F.C. would cease to exist. Gone. No more. For the first time in my life, I was genuinely trying to work out what club I would support (I think I settled on Sampdoria by the way. I couldn’t face following any other ben bailey-smith

English team and it reminded me of Attilio Lombardo). I wish I could curse in this column because THAT, my fellow Eagles, was a MELONFARMING CRISIS. A very real, bona fide, profound crisis. But we were saved. Not by a random chancer from the other side of the world who first heard the name of our club in the Financial Times that day, but by genuine fans. Fans who loved this club as much as we did – and still do. I know this is a painful time for all of us, but in difficult periods there’s nothing like a little perspective to balance the emotional books. I mean, imagine spending a billion quid and finishing below Crystal Palace? That would be mad. Oh, hi Chelsea, sorry didn’t see you there. Good luck today, and welcome to Selhurst Park, where it takes more than a crisis to kill us

Our game against Sheffield United last time out was part of Green Football Weekend, an initiative designed to bring fans, clubs, leagues, and partners together to address issues relating to climate change and the environment.

ne of the key factors of Green Football Weekend was to raise the awareness of the issues of climate change not only to fans, but also to those inside the club too. “Football For Future has come to the Crystal Palace Academy and we've been working with the Under-16s, talking a little bit about climate change and sustainability, and how they're related to football,” Elliot Arthur-Worsop, who ran the workshop with the young Eagles, said. “It’s part of the Premier League's Life Skills programme and we delved into lots of different creative discussions around what climate change is and how climate change impacts football. The boys were talking about extreme weather, how they've had games called off due to flooded pictures and even AFCON 2023, which is happening at the moment, being rearranged.” Indeed, the workshop took the U16s through their paces in terms of raising their awareness about the scale of climate change and

bringing it to the forefront of their thoughts. “Climate change is rising up the agenda all over the world, and the conversation is picking up a lot of pace,” Arthur-Worsop added. “It's really important that nobody's left behind, especially Academy players. They make a lot of educational sacrifices and sometimes they might not have access to geography classes, for example, like a lot of other schoolchildren do in this country. “So whether they go on to become the best athletes in the world or whether they find a different career is something really important for them to engage with, because climate academy

change and sustainability weaves into every part of our lives.” The U16s were engaged and entertained in the workshop itself, discovering the impact football has on the climate and the shift towards a more sustainable approach. “It's been really exciting to see the progress of sustainability and climate action and football,” explained Arthur-Worsop. “Just a few years ago, when we started out, there was really nothing happening. Clubs didn’t even have sustainability managers. Forest Green Rovers were leading the way, but now more than half of the teams in the Premier League have got sustainability managers.

“The Premier League is doing a lot of great stuff, through their own operations, but also supporting us to work in the communities with their players and especially their academy players. Generally, we're seeing a lot more climate advocacy from professional football players, which is really exciting. “[They have] influence when it comes to social change. We've seen the power of that when it comes to food poverty, gender equity, LGBTQ+ conversation, racial justice as well, and climate should be no different. It's still quite a new topic, but it's picking up a lot of pace and the future looks quite exciting.”

Academy players are actively involved in positive climate action, as they found out in the workshop. As aspiring professionals, they’re using a facility which now has compensation ditches constructed, creating a vibrant environment for wildlife. More than 100 trees have also been planted and solar panels will be installed at the Academy in early 2024 which will save nine tonnes of CO2 equivalent each year. They were made aware of this, as well as first-team players driving electric cars and the main team coaches being powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO; also known as renewable diesel).

academy

This was crucial as part of raising awareness and having an impactful session, as Arthur-Worsop concluded. “They might hear that they've got a lesson on sustainability or climate and they think they don't know anything about it, but as soon as we unpack it and we relate it to football, the ideas are like a tap that turns on and they just keep on flowing throughout,” he said. “It’s not only in terms of their pre-existing knowledge, but also their creativity around how football can become more sustainable as well, which is super inspiring. It's really important and most importantly, we had a really good time”

Crystal Palace Women bounced back from defeat last time out with a stunning 2-1 win over fellow promotion contenders Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.

When the two teams had met at Selhurst Park in November, a highscoring contest ensued – but this was a closer encounter, settled by finer margins and a resilient defensive display. With chances at a premium, Palace’s breakthrough arrived on 22 minutes when Annabel Blanchard played in Izzy Atkinson on the left. The winger dribbled past her marker on her left foot and arrowed in a pinpoint low finish across the ‘keeper. In first-half added time, a mis-kick from Palace ‘keeper Demi Lambourne saw the ball land at the feet of Katie Wilkinson, who slipped in Sophia Pharoah. The Southampton attacker was through on goal but Lambourne atoned immediately, charging down the striker’s effort. The Saints would rue that miss as Palace doubled their advantage just moments later; Ria Percival, on her first start for the club, cut out a pass on the halfway line, charged forwards, exchanged passes with Elise Hughes and struck the base of the post. Hughes, following up, gleefully

tapped in the rebound for her 14th goal in as many Championships games this season. Frustrated by Palace’s resilience in the second-half, Southampton did pull one back in the closing stages; moments

now once again just three points off the top of the table, with a game in hand – and a stronger goal difference to boot. With eight games of the season left, there remains all to play for.

last chance for early bird selhurst tickets Following a spectacular last time out at Selhurst Park, in which a club-record 4,442 tickets were sold, Palace Women will return to SE25 when they host Watford on Sunday, 24th March (14:00 GMT)! Fans booking via cpfc.co.uk before 23rd February can enjoy a 50 percent off ‘early bird’ discount (no discount code required) – so hurry!

after Lucia Kendall hit the bar, a free-kick from Paige Peake picked out the midfielder, who slid in to reduce the hosts’ deficit. But for sheer resilience alone, and an excellent performance from Lambourne, Palace were full value for three vital points. And with Charlton drawing against Lewes, the Eagles are women

highlights from our huge fa cup tie Palace took on Chelsea – Women’s FA Cup winners in each of the last three seasons – in the fifth round yesterday afternoon. A full report, highlights and reaction from Kingsmeadow can be found on cpfc.co.uk.

Age 18 Position Forward Nationality Republic of Ireland Signed 2024 – Glasgow City

Abbie Larkin Teenage forward Abbie Larkin – who last summer became the youngest-ever player, male or female, to represent the Republic of Ireland at a FIFA World Cup finals – joined the club last month on a permanent transfer from Glasgow City, signing until 2026.

Get to know our new signing…

How does it feel to sign for Crystal Palace? I'm absolutely buzzing, I can't wait to start off with the girls and hopefully get my first match out of the way soon. I want to get closer to the girls and focus on my football, enjoy it and hopefully develop more as a player. What can Palace fans expect to see from you? I can play anywhere in the front three. I'm versatile up there and I can't wait to hopefully start scoring some goals again.

Why did you decide to sign for Palace? Obviously the facilities here are outstanding – they’re unbelievable. It's my dream to play in English football, and the Championship is the place to start. Hopefully I can get promoted with the girls, and we can get into the WSL. You know Hayley Nolan and Izzy Atkinson already… Yeah, obviously I’m best mates with Izzy and Hayley. They were giving me great recommendations abbie larkin

We’re delighted to welcome Abbie, a player of enormous talent and potential, to Crystal Palace head coach Laura Kaminski

about the whole place. Obviously Iz came here only recently, and she said she’s fitted in with the girls really well already. What do you make of your new teammates? I’m looking forward to training and getting my head down. This team is amazing. It has so many qualities and all the girls are top class. I think we just need to keep working together as a team and get the results that we need to get promoted.

For more than 150 years, Palace have paved a way into the history books, navigating wild misadventures, cult heroes, political and social changes and all the ups and downs that come with them. Step back into another world…

retro palace

History Makers Palace players past and tantalising titbits from eras gone by: club historian Ian King takes us through the wacky, weird and wonderful history of Crystal Palace one new tale at a time.

bobby tambling

helsea’s record goalscorer until eclipsed by Frank Lampard, Bobby Tambling is often associated simply with Chelsea, but his ties to Crystal Palace run deep, scoring a series of crucial and memorable goals in some of the club’s landmark results. A talented schoolboy footballer in Sussex, Tambling joined Chelsea in 1957 at just 15-years-old and made his debut just two years later. In the 1960s he became a star at Stamford Bridge, and the goals began to rack up: he scored 202 times in 370 first-team appearances for the club. He was rewarded with a call-up to the national side, earning three England caps. In January 1970, after his stellar Chelsea career had drawn

to a close, Palace manger Bert Head took advantage of the new loan system by bringing Tambling to Selhurst Park for a month. He came in as cover for an injury crisis that threatened to spoil Palace’s first season in the top-flight, and his arrival provided a morale boost as Palace strove to maintain their status as a First Division club. Tambling played just three games before returning to Chelsea, but in the summer Palace were back to sign him permanently, alongside teammate Alan Birchenall. His three years at the club saw him add guile and experience to midfield, while his most important goals came away from Selhurst Park. His 20-yard strike at Old Trafford in October 1970 earned Palace a famous victory against history makers

Manchester United, before his penalty at Highbury a month later was the winner in a League Cup replay against Arsenal. Perhaps most memorable was his brace at the San Siro, as Inter Milan were seen off in the Anglo-Italian Cup. Injury limited Tambling to a handful of appearances before the arrival of Malcolm Allison in 1973, which signalled the end of his Palace career.

debuts and curtain calls Børge Thorup made his only Palace first-team appearance against Chelsea on 27th December 1969, while Alex Dyer said farewell after the ZDS Cup tie at Stamford Bridge on 12th March 1990. Chris Coleman came on as a substitute against Chelsea for his Palace debut on Boxing Day in 1991, while the opening encounter of the 2021/22 campaign saw a trio of debuts: Joachim Andersen, Marc Guéhi and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

weird and wonderful In 1973, a fuel crisis and industrial unrest led to power cuts, food shortages and a three-day week – and the inability to play floodlit football. Games kicked off much earlier, with the crisis having deepened by January 1975. An Act of 1780 meant that no sport could take place in front of a paying audience on Sundays, so the FA approached the government to ask them to suspend the act and allow football on the Sabbath. They were turned down. However, after four league clubs said they would play

Brief encounters chesterfield The first football club named Chesterfield was formed in 1866, but the current outfit were created by the town council in 1919, named Chesterfield Municipal. After becoming founder members of the Division Three North in 1921, the club had to go independent and the ‘Municipal’ was dropped. For much of the next century, Chesterfield were marooned in the bottom two tiers of the Football League, where they met Palace in Division Three in the mid-1970s. In their three seasons competing, they were unbeaten at Selhurst Park, but the Glaziers came out on top twice away from home. history makers

their FA Cup ties on a Sunday, the barrier was broken and the Glaziers played their first Sunday game at Notts County. The first Sunday game at Selhurst Park took place on 3rd February as Palace welcomed Preston North End, and to get around the Act each spectator became a paid member of the Eagles Club. The price depended on where you watched the game, of course. The laws began to be relaxed, and in 1983/84 Palace played four Sunday games at home, with fans ostensibly paying for a teamsheet. The Sunday Observance Act of 1780 was finally repealed in 2003. Two successive relegations saw them lose their Football League status in 2018, but they are competing to make a return this season

Times have changed over Crystal Palace’s rich and storied history. In each edition, we dust off the archive and reprint a story from one of the club’s historical programmes. This week fans are introduced to Chelsea’s new manager, a confident young quote-machine from Portugal…

Crystal Palace √ chelsea – 24 august 2004

osé Mourinho’s move to Stamford Bridge could be the signing of the summer in the Premiership this season. The Portuguese 41-yearold was the most sought after manager in football after leading his unfancied Porto team to Champions League glory last season. Mourinho’s rise to prominence has been rapid as he has only had four years’ experience as a Head Coach and has never played professional football. Son of the famous Portuguese international goalkeeper Felix Mourinho, José developed a keen interest in coaching and obtained a degree in Physical Education and studied for a UEFA coaching badge. During the early nineties José had a number of roles at lower league Portuguese sides and was Assistant Coach of Estrela Amadora at the age of only 29. Bizarrely, José’s big break came in 1992 when he was appointed as Bobby Robson’s translator FROM THE ARCHIVE

at Sporting Lisbon. The former England boss was impressed by the young and confident Mourinho and within months he was Robson’s assistant. When Robson moved to Porto, Mourinho followed him and played a key role in the club’s two championship wins in 1995 and 1996. Robson and Mourinho were a successful combination and the Portuguese was becoming increasingly involved in coaching. It was no surprise when Robson named Mourinho as his Assistant Coach at Barcelona in 1996. Despite Robson’s departure the following year, Mourinho remained at Barcelona with new boss Louis van Gaal until 2000. It was Benfica who had the courage to appoint Mourinho as their Head Coach in 2000, but after only nine games he resigned. Problems with the club’s finances and in the Boardroom caused him to leave the Stadium of Light and he took charge of Uniao de

Leiria. In his first full season he guided the little-known club to their highest ever finish of third in the SuperLiga and it was only a matter of time until one of the big three Portuguese sides whisked him away. During 2001/02 Mourinho returned to Porto where he had enjoyed much success with his mentor Bobby Robson. The club had not won anything in the three seasons but under Mourinho they proceeded to win five trophies in just two seasons, including the Champions League and UEFA Cup. The Champions League victory over Monaco earlier this year proved to be Mourinho’s last game in charge at Porto and after weeks of speculation he finally moved to Stamford Bridge. Mourinho’s appointment must be one of the most publicised of recent years and his management style is set to change Chelsea’s football much like Arsène Wenger’s has at Arsenal. Mourinho speaks several languages fluently and he is

a keen admirer of teamwork over individual brilliance. Much like our own Iain Dowie, Mourinho adopts a scientific approach to coaching, analysing videotapes of matches and working closely with dietary specialists.

I hate to speak about players individually. Players do not win trophies, squads win trophies. I cannot say I love a player. I love players who love to win

A supremely confident individual, Mourinho has got off to a great start in the Premiership by winning his first two games 1-0, but anyone expecting an exciting spectacle from his team will be disappointed. Porto’s success was based largely on defensive solidity and after their two performances so far this season it looks as if he will use the same tactics at Chelsea. “I am a great defender of teamwork,” he says. “I hate to speak about players individually. Players do not win trophies, squads win trophies. I cannot say I love a player. I love players who love to win.”

This article is reprinted verbatim. FROM THE ARCHIVE

1991

nineteen

ninetyone

Football, fashion, music and more – step back in time to an era that had it all…

At the

manager: steve coppell

wembley glory at last... Still dealing with the disappointment of FA Cup final defeat in 1990, Steve Coppell stepped into the dugout at Kenilworth Road for Palace’s league opener against Luton Town simply looking to improve on the season before. It was a tall ask, but one he more than lived up to. The 1990/91 season was perhaps the club’s finest ever, and nine months later the Eagles had finished third in the table behind Arsenal and Liverpool, and had won their first major trophy in the Full Members’ Cup. With English teams banned from European competition, the ZDS Cup, as it became known for sponsorship reasons, was introduced to fill the gap in the calendar. The Eagles reached the final in 1991, and were back at Wembley less than a year after their FA Cup heartbreak. “For us to return to Wembley – although it wasn’t obviously the big game – was a chance to put things right,” Coppell said years later. “It was possibly very close retro palace

to the team that should have played the year before, with [Mark] Bright and [Ian] Wright up front. “[Wright] was a cat on a hot tin roof at the best of times, but he felt this was very much his chance to prove himself to everybody… Going into it was almost redemption.” After Everton cancelled out Geoff Thomas’ opener, extra-time beckoned. A Wright brace and a John Salako header followed, and the trophy was secured. European qualification in the league was destined to follow, before Liverpool’s ban was lifted early and the Eagles had their UEFA Cup place snatched away.

Music

top 5 singles 1

Everything I Do (I Do It for You)

Bryan Adams

These Are the Days of Our Lives

Queen

Do the Bartman

The Simpsons

The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)

Cher

Any Dream Will Do

Jason Donovan

Games

Films

A speedy, blue, anthropomorphised hedgehog was introduced to the world for the very first time, as Sonic made his first outing in Sonic the Hedgehog, released by SEGA in 1991. Able to run at supersonic speeds and curl up into a ball to attack his enemies, Sonic is tasked with defeating the evil Dr Robotnik – more than two million copies sold.

The Silence of the Lambs

JFK

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Cape Fear

Thelma & Louise

14 march The Birmingham Six are freed after the Court of Appeal quashes their conviction 06 may Arsenal are crowned champions

06 august The first ‘website’ is launched, six months after Tim BernersLee introduces the WorldWideWeb at CERN 15 may Manchester United win the European Cup Winners’ Cup in Rotterdam thanks to a Mark Hughes brace

05 november Daily Mirror proprietor Robert Maxwell is found dead off the coast of Tenerife 18 may Tottenham Hotspur win the FA Cup for a record eighth time

retro palace

24 november Freddie Mercury dies aged 45, just 24 hours after announcing that he was suffering from AIDS 19 july Dean Saunders becomes Britain’s most expensive footballer after joining Liverpool for £2.9 million

Unlocking the power of pitches The Football Foundation is the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s charity. We award grants and work with partners to deliver outstanding grassroots football facilities across England.

Search Football Foundation to find out more

straight into action

inside palace

TYLEI’S HOPES OF PLAYING IN THE WSL

ylei, a 15-year-old from Lewisham, is a rising star at Palace for Life. Her journey with us began when she started attending our girls-only Premier League Kicks community sessions at Selhurst Sports Arena just under a year ago, and caught the eye of her coach Gemma, who encouraged her to take her football to the next level. That encouragement sparked an ambition to play at the highest level in the women’s game: the Women’s Super League (WSL). Premier League Kicks is partly funded by the Premier League, and operates nationwide, offering free sports programs to empower young people in underserved communities. For Tylei and many others, it can be their first introduction to football and offers a safe space for personal growth. At Palace, our focus is on engaging young people in sporting activities to divert them away from crime and anti-social behaviour, or, simply, like in Tylei’s case, to make new friends and play regular football in a safe and inclusive environment.

Tylei’s mum discovered our free sessions online, and Tylei quickly embraced them despite her initial shyness. With Gemma’s support and a welcoming team, her confidence blossomed, which led to improvements on the field and friendships off it. “At first I wasn’t as confident, but after meeting some new people, I’ve made new friends,” Tylei explained. Over time, her newfound confidence translated into improvements on the pitch, which earned her a place in our annual ‘Kicks Cup’ competition, where Premier League Kicks teams from clubs across the country go headto-head in regional and national tournaments throughout the year. foundation

Despite narrowly losing out in the semi-finals, Tylei played a key role in her team’s progress as the top scorer in the side. She said she owes this to the communal and inclusive environment of playing within a welcoming team, and the supportive input from her coach, Gemma. “Tylei has a positive attitude towards football, not just for herself but also for her friends and peers around her,” Gemma said. “Since joining our Premier League Kicks sessions, I have seen her grow in confidence, make new friends and improve as a player.” As Tylei quickly proved to be a promising footballer, ready to excel to the next level of her journey at Palace, Gemma gave her the opportunity to attend a trial for our Girls Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) programme, which we launched in partnership with the Football Association in August last year. It aims to provide more opportunities for girls to improve their footballing talent under the direction of highly qualified coaches, eventually improving their chances of playing the game at the highest level.

Although Tylei felt ‘shocked’ and ‘surprised’ that she was offered a trial, she needn’t have been. She passed with flying colours and is now excelling on the Under-16s team both as a player and a person. “Tylei joined our Emerging Talent Centre programme after being recommended to us by the Kicks programme,” said Jake Foster, who looks after the ETCs at Palace for Life. “Since joining us, she has shown a real dedication to her training, a constant willingness to want to improve, and great knowledge of the game. “Tylei has become a valued member of our Under-16s squad and conducts herself in a way to be a role model to the younger players we have at the centre. We can’t wait to see Tylei continue to develop in our Emerging Talent Squad, and we’re sure she is going to thrive in the upcoming fixtures.” Gemma echoed Jake’s sentiments: “It’s so inspirational to see Tylei come from a participant on our girl’s Kicks sessions, to then go progress onto the ETCs. Hopefully, this will inspire other girls that they have the option to take their football journey further if they want to.” Tylei’s is a shining example of what we’re trying to do with every individual we work with: to use our expertise in our varying fields to open doors for young people in our community. As for Tylei, she explained in her own words the door she would like opening: “I hope to play for West Ham in the WSL!” We hope that it’s Crystal Palace

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

donate a pint from your pre-match routine below

foundation

Every day is a busy one at the Palace, from matchdays – men’s, women’s and Academy – to anniversaries, birthdays to events. Keep track of everything happening at the club right here…

12 feb

1984

palace √ chelsea | 20:00 LIVE on

14 feb

13 feb

Phil Barber signs for Palace.

14 feb

1976 Peter Taylor stars as Palace beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

John-Kymani Gordon turns 21 today.

2004

Scott Dann turns 37 today.

what’s on?

Andrew Johnson scores a hattrick as Palace beat Stoke 6-3.

14 feb

17 feb

17 feb 2010

1973 Darren Ambrose scores a stunning free-kick as Palace earn an Aston Villa FA Cup replay.

19 feb

palace u18S √ brighton | 11:00 LIVE on

19 feb

everton √ palace | 20:00 LIVE on

18 feb

leicester √ palace u21S | 19:00

22 feb

21 feb

Don Rogers scores the goal of the season against Stoke City.

palace women √ blackburn | 14:00

23 feb

2016

2019

Martin Kelly scores the winner at White Hart Lane as Palace beat Spurs to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Wilfried Zaha, Michy Batshuayi and Luka Milivojevic are on the scoresheet as Palace hit four at Leicester.

Andy Gray turns 60 today.

All times GMT. Head to cpfc.co.uk for more details and ticketing information.

what’s on?

The page for supporters: taking your comments from the terraces into the programme. Want to get in touch? Use the details below.

In Memory of Mark Turner, a Crystal Palace Fan (Man & Boy). Sadly passed away suddenly on January 10th aged 58. Palace Till We Die. RIP

Happy 13th Birthday Belle! Hope you have an amazing day, love you lots, mum and dad xx

TO OUR SPECIAL BOY ZAC WHO LIVES AND BREATHES CRYSTAL PALACE FC, WE WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY! ALL OUR LOVE, MUM AND DAD XX (FORGET TIKTOK, YOU’RE NOW PALACE FAMOUS!!)

In memory of Michael Embleton (1934 -2024). Loving husband, dad, grandad and lifelong Palace fan. You can soar like an Eagle now and rest in peace x

Happy 70th Birthday to our dad and grandpa, Mark. Here’s to you on this milestone, and hope we celebrate with a result today. All our love, Pete, Ash & Amelie xxx

from the terraces

Lance Huthwaite. CPFC season ticket holder who was able to celebrate on the pitch when the Palace achieved one of their first promotions, asking his Dad, “Am I on the pitch?”. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Happy 12th Birthday to Bella - who’s been coming to games since she was 1. Enjoy the game with Millie, Bella and Lacie. Lots of love Mummy, Daddy, Nanna and Grandad xx

John “Jack” Darville 1927-2024 Dearly missed Father, Grandfather and Great Grandad. A devoted Crystal Palace fan for 96 years. “Fly Like An Eagle” Love, Paul (grandson) and Anthony (son)

Happy 60th birthday to Mervyn Skeet, a life long Palace fan, born in a house overlooking the ground. With special love from Justine, Isabelle, Ollie and Lottie xx

Happy 60th birthday to Ray Barnett. Lifelong Palace Fan and season ticket holder in the Upper Holmesdale. Have a great day Barnsey. From the ‘Part-Timers’!’

In loving memory of John Cawker 24/12/38 - 19/01/24. John was born and lived in South London all his life, and forever an optimist was a lifelong Palace fan. Happy 9th Birthday Harley. Lots of Love, Mummy, Daddy, Nanny, Auntie Rou Rou & Uncle Mick. Xxx

Happy 22nd Birthday Matty! Lots of love from Mum and Dad

Happy 16th birthday to our dearest friend Frank-Benjamin. I hope you enjoy the game today and you are happy with your present to go into the Holmesdale. From all your best friends hope you have a great day mate x

Everyone at the club were saddened to learn of the passing of Dave Monckton. A long-standing member of our matchday team and someone we will all miss. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends at this sad time.

from the terraces

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

Meet today’s mascots, prepare for a visit to Merseyside, relive a fine comeback and pit your wits against Brighty below.

Zac Eason AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

2-0

Jay Rimmington

Jessica Evans

AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

2-1

SCORE PREDICTION:

2-1

Want to feature as a mascot? Nancie Robinson

Kara Diamond

AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

2-1

Email: liam.connery@cpfc.co.uk

SCORE PREDICTION:

1-3

round-up

next up: everton

Best memory: Mile Jedinak, Fraizer Campbell and Yannick Bolasie were all on the scoresheet as the Eagles came from behind to win 3-2 against a star-studded Everton side, including John Stones, Romelu Lukaku and Samuel Eto’o.

Palace return to Goodison Park for the second time in just over a month to take on Everton on Monday, 19th February (20:00 GMT). Travel: Fans travelling to Liverpool by train can catch the 919 bus from St John’s Lane outside Lime Street Station direct to the ground, or can head to Kirkdale Station which is a short walk away. Pre-match: The Arkles is the traditional pre-match pub for visiting supporters, while The Thomas Frost, The Hermitage and The Winslow have accepted travelling supporters in the past.

BEAT BRIGHTY In each edition, club icon Mark Bright calls it how he sees it and predicts events from the week’s football. See how you fare and try to Beat Brighty! Scoring: One point for every correct result, three for a correct scoreline.

Brighty

You

0-3 0-2 1-1 2-1 total Manage to Beat Brighty? Keep track of your score above.

round-up

team stats: women/U21S/U18S Izzy Atkinson scored her first Palace goal as the Eagles beat Southampton in a top of the table clash.

Freddie Cowin made his first start for the Under-18s in the narrow FA Youth Cup defeat to Chelsea at Selhurst Park.

Craig Farquhar made his Palace debut as the Under-21s earned a third straight victory against Ipswich.

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

AUGUST Sun 27 Reading SEPTEMBER Sun 3 Birmingham City Sun 10 Durham Sun 17 Sunderland OCTOBER Sun 8 Blackburn Rovers Wed 11 Lewes Sun 15 London City Lionesses Sun 22 Charlton Athletic NOVEMBER Sun 5 Watford Sun 12 Lewes Sun 19 Southampton Wed 22 Watford DECEMBER Sun 10 Chatham Town Sun 17 Reading JANUARY Sun 14 Blackburn Rovers Sun 21 London City Lionesses Wed 24 London City Lionesses Sun 28 Charlton Athletic FEBRUARY Sun 4 Southampton Sun 11 Chelsea Sun 18 Blackburn Rovers MARCH Sun 3 Birmingham City Sun 17 Sheffield United Sun 24 Watford Sun 31 Durham APRIL Sun 21 Lewes Sun 28 Sunderland TBC TBC Sheffield United

D 1-1 W 2-1 W 9-1 D 1-1 W D W L

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

W W L W

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

W 6-0 D 1-1 W W L L

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

W 2-1

AUGUST Mon 14 Manchester United W Sun 20 Reading L Mon 28 Fulham L SEPTEMBER Fri 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers L Fri 15 Middlesbrough W Tue 19 Wycombe Wanderers L Sat 23 Nottingham Forest L OCTOBER Sun 1 Liverpool L Mon 30 West Bromwich Albion W NOVEMBER Fri 3 Leeds United W Tue 7 AFC Wimbledon L Fri 10 Ipswich Town L Tue 14 Stevenage L Fri 24 Birmingham City W december Sat 2 Manchester City W Mon 11 Middlesbrough L Mon 18 West Ham United L JANUARY Sun 14 Blackburn Rovers D Mon 22 Birmingham City W Fri 26 Brighton & Hove Albion W FEBRUARY Mon 5 Ipswich Town W Mon 19 Leicester City MARCH Mon 4 Stoke City Mon 11 Aston Villa Fri 15 Southampton APRIL Mon 8 Everton Fri 12 Chelsea Sun 28 Middlesbrough TBC TBC Tottenham Hotspur

september Wed 27 Athletic Bilbao october Tue 24 Monaco december Wed 6 Benfica january Wed 17 Feyenoord

women/u21S/u18S

3-2 0-2 2-5 2-3 6-2 0-1 3-4 2-4 3-0 7-1 0-2 2-4 2-5 4-1 3-0 0-4 1-5 3-3 3-0 2-1 1-0

D 1-1 W 3-1 W 2-1 D 1-1

AUGUST Sat 12 Southampton Sat 19 Chelsea Sat 26 Reading SEPTEMBER Sat 2 Liverpool Sat 16 Leicester City Sat 23 Fulham Sat 30 Brighton & Hove Albion OCTOBER Sat 28 Arsenal NOVEMBER Sat 4 Tottenham Hotspur Sat 11 West Bromwich Albion Thu 16 Newcastle United Sat 25 Fulham DECEMBER Thu 7 Plymouth Argyle Sat 16 Aston Villa January Sat 6 West Ham United Tue 16 Hull City Sat 20 Leicester City Sat 27 Fulham FEBRUARY Sat 3 Aston Villa Thu 8 Chelsea Sat 17 Brighton & Hove Albion Tue 27 Norwich City MARCH Sat 9 Chelsea Sat 16 Arsenal APRIL Tue 2 West Bromwich Albion Sat 6 Norwich City Sat 13 Southampton Sat 20 Tottenham Hotspur Sat 27 Aston Villa may Sat 4 West Ham United Sat 11 Reading

W 5-0 L 1-2 W 2-1 W D L D

6-1 1-1 3-4 3-3

D 3-3 W W L W

5-2 2-1 1-4 5-4

W 2-1 W 3-2 L W D W

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

W 3-0 L 1-2

women

u21s

Name

Apps

Goals

Chloe ARTHUR

Tayo ADARAMOLA

Izzy ATKINSON

Victor AKINWALE Cormac AUSTIN

Justin DEVENNY

Chima EZE

Craig FARQUHAR

Keira BARRY

Annabel BLANCHARD

Araya DENNIS

Name

u18s Apps

Goals

Name

Apps

Kai-Reece ADAMS-COLLMAN

Asher AGBINONE

Cormac AUSTIN

Luke BROWNE

Rio CARDINES

Freddie COWIN

Matteo DASHI

Jesse DERRY

Billy EASTWOOD

Leon ELLIOTT

Joe GIBBARD

Jake GRANTE

Zack HENRY

Polly DORAN

Chris FRANCIS

Aimee EVERETT

Sean GREHAN

Anna FILBEY

Danny IMRAY

Felicity GIBBONS

Jackson IZQUIERDO

Shauna GUYATT

Caleb KPORHA

Shanade HOPCROFT

Zach MARSH

Elise HUGHES

Roshaun MATHURIN

Annabel JOHNSON

Hindolo MUSTAPHA

Frances KITCHING Demi LAMBOURNE

Abbie LARKIN

Adler NASCIMENTO

Ademola OLA-ADEBOMI

David OZOH

Jesurun RAK-SAKYI

Natalia NEGRI

Ellie NOBLE Hayley NOLAN

Ria PERCIVAL

Alexia POTTER

Kirsten REILLY

1 6

Goals

Marcus HILL Mofe JEMIDE

Joseph KHOSHABA

George KING

Caleb KPORHA

Jadan RAYMOND

Dylan REID

Kaden RODNEY

Zach MARSH

Hindolo MUSTAPHA

Franco UMEH

David OBOU

Noah WATSON

Jack WELLS-MORRISON

Joe WHITWORTH

Joe SHERIDAN

Molly-Mae SHARPE

Isabella SIBLEY

Tyler WHYTE

Lucy WATSON

Vonnte WILLIAMS

Finley MARJORAM

Olaoluwa OMOBOLAJI

Caleb REDHEAD

Charlie WALKER-SMITH

Tyler WHYTE

Sebastian WILLIAMS

A GD Pts

All statistics correct as of 17:00 Friday, 9 February – see full tables at cpfc.co.uk. th

pos CLUB P W D

1 22 13 +9 30

cha

15 8

A GD Pts

pos CLUB P W D

4 38 26 +12 17

mun

A GD Pts

pos CLUB P W D

2 37 16 +21 28

whu

12 9

sun

15 8

3 18 10 +8 28

12 che

4 27 21 +6 17

ars

12 7

2 32 19 +13 24

cry

14 8

3 39 17 +22 27

13 nor

12 5

6 31 27 +4 16

che

10 7

2 36 19 +17 22

sou

15 9

6 26 17 +9 27

14 cry

12 5

6 31 30 +1 16

cry

13 6

3 37 27 +10 22

bir

14 8

4 24 12 +12 26

15 stk

6 24 31 -7 15

ful

12 7

5 34 29 +5 21

bla

13 6

11 18 -7 18

16 nfo

4 16 22 -6 13

avl

13 5

7 38 35 +3 16

dur

15 5

7 15 28 -13 18

17 sou

12 4

7 25 32 -7 13

lei

13 3

5 23 32 -9 14

women/u21S/u18S

ALL-TIME

may

april

march

february

january

december

nov

october

september

AUGust

attendance/ KICK-OFF

Result

Position

Sat 12

Sheffield United

31,194

1-0

5th

Mon 21

Arsenal

24,189

0-1

11th

Sat 26

Brentford

16,997

1-1

11th

Tue 29

Plymouth Argyle

15,826

4-2

Second round 7th

Sun 3

Wolverhampton Wanderers

24,741

3-2

Sat 16

Aston Villa

40,809

1-3

9th

Sat 23

Fulham

25,072

0-0

10th Third round

Tue 26

Manchester United

72,842

0-3

Sat 30

Manchester United

73,428

1-0

9th

Sat 7

Nottingham Forest

25,125

0-0

9th

Sat 21

Newcastle United

52,189

0-4

11th

Fri 27

Tottenham Hotspur

25,074

1-2

13th 11th

Sat 4

Burnley

21,578

2-0

Sat 11

Everton

25,103

2-3

13th

Sat 25

Luton Town

11,029

1-2

13th 12th

Sun 3

West Ham United

62,459

1-1

Wed 6

Bournemouth

24,104

0-2

14th

Sat 9

Liverpool

25,103

1-2

15th

Sat 16

Manchester City

53,384

2-2

15th

Thu 21

Brighton & Hove Albion

24,171

1-1

15th

Wed 27

Chelsea

39,618

1-2

15th

Sat 30

Brentford

25,472

3-1

14th

Thu 4

Everton

24,489

0-0

Third round

Wed 17

Everton

37,796

0-1

Third round

Sat 20

Arsenal

60,284

0-5

15th

Tue 30

Sheffield United

23,644

3-2

14th

Sat 3

Brighton & Hove Albion

31,345

1-4

14th

Mon 12

Chelsea