CPFC v Chelsea by Crystal Palace F.C.

Crystal Palace v Chelsea Tuesday 7th July 2020 // 6pm

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“The start is people taking a knee on the pitch and supporting black lives matter on our shirts. “It’s what happens next. Do you really want change? Are you going to take a knee and continue, and do like Raheem Sterling is doing, and trying to actually force change rather than just going along with what everyone is doing? “That’s the main thing now: we push. “Now is the time where hopefully we can get change.” Andros Townsend

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INSIDE THE PROGRAMME CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA TUESDAY 7TH JULY 2020 | 6PM K.O.

Directors Steve Parish, Chairman David Blitzer, Joshua Harris Chief Executive Phil Alexander Chief Financial Officer Sean Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Loughlin Sporting Director Dougie Freedman Club Secretary

Christine Dowdeswell Head of Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning

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

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

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Chairman

Chris Grierson

Junior Eagles

Amateur Analysis

Pete the Eagle

Luke Dreher

Palace XI in Time

Shaun Derry

Quiztal Palace

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

72 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, Getty Printer Bishops Printers

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ROY HODGSON

Football is a sport replete with highs and lows, ever-changing emotions and an unpredictability that make it so addictive to follow. And so, as I write now just hours after our match with Liverpool, I am gripped by the consuming effect football has had on my life for 55 years. Over time, one can maintain a healthier distance between the impact of results and any thoughts outside of work, but to do so remains a sizeable challenge and it is not something any coach finds readily manageable, regardless of their time in the game. My thoughts reach you now, well into July, following just our second game back because, in the current situation, the club must finalise and print its programmes well in advance of matchday. And so, at this moment, I am unaware of our results against Burnley last week or Leicester City just days ago. Instead, I am able to reflect only on two contrasting highs and lows from

recent games; they are as stark as football can conjure. The team’s performance against AFC Bournemouth followed the script to the word. We couldn’t have asked for a more convincing return after so many days without tasting competitive football. The players looked in control comprehensively when attacking, particularly in the first-half, and composed when defending. Striking twice without reply at the first time of asking is a significant achievement, and I was delighted with our all-round performance to restart the season. The Liverpool game was a different story, but it is not one I or the team wish to disregard from our thoughts. Ultimately, we were facing an excellent opponent in fine form. Liverpool have won this league by such a clear margin for a reason, and their performance against us was a vindication of their calibre in itself. We suffered several hard to swallow injuries to key members of the squad

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and, given the fixture congestion of the season’s resumption, I can only hope this is not an issue which continues to affect us. The current depth in our playing squad is certainly a major concern at the time of writing. Naturally, I was disappointed with the result and each goal that we conceded hurt. But that is part and parcel of football, and we are more than experienced enough to absorb such disappointments and focus on upcoming challenges. Tonight’s challenge is another significant hurdle against accomplished opposition, as all of our remaining matches are. It will be a pleasure to meet up with Frank Lampard again and to have the chance to congratulate him on the excellent job he is doling at Chelsea and to hear his thoughts about his new management career which has begun so positively. He is on track to reap the same rewards in that role as he did as a player. Enjoy the game.

Welcome to Frank Lampard, his staff and the players from Chelsea Football Club. I am, again, disappointed not to welcome you, the fans, this evening.

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LUKA MILIVOJEVIC

I’m speaking to you tonight just hours after our disappointment against Liverpool. It is tough for me to speak now about a game against Chelsea that will see us having played Burnley and Leicester City in between – it again shows how unexpected this period of football is and the demands on the team and coaching staff. It does, however, show how quickly we can move on and learn from the Liverpool game. There’s not much I can add to what Gary said from that night. Of course, losing Wilf so early against any team will hurt us but they’re well-deserved champions – to finish so far ahead of Manchester City is incredible. I can instead focus on the Bournemouth game, with the media team’s print deadline for the Burnley programme meaning I was unable to talk about our return from lockdown. I have seen many comments about the pace of the football in the

games after the COVID-19 break, with many matches still 0-0 at halftime. After such a long absence, and matches now every three or four days, I can only say this was to be expected. That does, however, make our opening 45 minutes and result against Bournemouth an impressive one. It goes to show just how seriously everyone in the team took their fitness schedules during lockdown. To return in the way we did, away from home, with another clean sheet and another Premier League goal for Jordan, made it feel like we never went away. I was delighted with my goal - one of my best for Palace - and it was nice, as I saw Gary mention post-match, to be rewarded for my efforts of staying behind after training in the week to practice that exact goal. I must mention Macca and the

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fact he has now played 200 games for this club. To play with him in midfield has taught me so much; he never stops running. I know players like Wilf and Jordan excite but Macca is so important to our team and the way we play. Tonight, we again run-out at Selhurst Park in unfamiliar circumstances. I can only suggest that, despite facing Burnley last week, this new behind closed doors set-up will still take some getting used to for us all. We know the qualities of Chelsea. We were disappointed with the defeat at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season. I said at the time that a little bit of composure on the ball was missing from our game; I hope we will be able to put the issues from that day right tonight. As always, nothing has changed, we all still need you to… Make some noise!

Our second game at Selhurst in these new and difficult circumstances – the sooner we are back with you, the better.

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STEVE PARISH

Yet again we will greatly miss you at Selhurst Park, and the magnificent atmosphere you always create. We also are without Kayla, our beloved eagle who sadly passed away two weeks ago. She was a regular and popular figure here since 2010 and will be greatly missed. I am writing this before our trip to Leicester City off the back of two disappointing results to Liverpool and Burnley. I must take this opportunity to praise Jürgen Klopp’s fullydeserving champions, who have been far and away the best and most consistent team this season. They were extremely impressive against us at Anfield - the desire and hunger from every player was relentless, and they simply didn’t give us a sniff. They are worthy champions, and deserve all the plaudits they are receiving.

Our first home fixture after the break came against a Burnley side that also played very well in the first-half and it didn’t go to plan for us. Although we improved and had the chances to equalise in the second period, we were all disappointed and we have to put both results behind us quickly, as everyone at the club remains committed to securing our best ever Premier League position. Off the pitch, I continue to be extremely impressed at how quickly we’ve adapted to the situation we find ourselves in. I thought the stadium branding looked magnificent, and to create new and enlarged changing areas for both teams in just a few weeks is a credit to all the staff involved including Dr Zaf and our medical team who are working so hard to keep everyone safe and well.

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I hope you are enjoying the games, they are certainly coming thick and fast. It’s great that all games are televised, and I’d urge you to try our new Virtual Matchday service that we have created for you. The site enables you to arrange group video chats with friends and family on matchdays, and you can also watch an exclusive Palace TV show before the game and listen to audio commentary of the match if you don’t have access to the live game on TV. We wanted to try to help replicate the social side of matchday so please do give it a try. Sign up to host your own group chat at cpfc.virtualmatchday.com I hope you are safe and well, and that you enjoy tonight’s match from wherever you are. Up the Palace.

Thank you for buying tonight’s programme for Crystal Palace v Chelsea, your support is greatly appreciated.

Approaching four years since signing for Crystal Palace, Christian Benteke talks with Ben Mountain about why the south London club caught his eye and how he thrived throughout his first season in SE25 - with a little help from the family.

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after all, carried a unique tag as the club’s record signing. “I was coming from Liverpool so I knew the expectation on me would be different from the other players,” he reflects. “I think when you play for a club like Liverpool, the pressure is different from Crystal Palace. At Liverpool you have to win every game, even a draw is not enough. “But when you play for Crystal

to be good on the pitch because I know the way we’re going to play benefits me.” Benteke’s assessment is flawless, and is reflected perfectly in his haul from that first campaign: 17 goals scored and Premier League survival ensured, he more than met expectations. The key, he says, was an attack-minded campaign that saw Palace net the ninth-most goals in

“ AT THE TIME, THEY WERE PLAYING 4-33 WITH WILF [ZAHA] ON THE RIGHT AND ANDROS [TOWNSEND] ON THE LEFT, SO HE KNEW THAT WITH THOSE TWO PLAYERS ON THE WING, I WOULD GET A LOT OF SERVICE. ” Palace, when you play, let’s say, the big six, if you can get a draw away from home, it’s a good result. I knew the expectation would be different for me because I’m coming from a big club with a big transfer fee so I had to deal with it. “The good thing is when I arrived, I spoke with the manager and when you know the manager believes in you and will put everything in you as the main target, then it is up to me to perform. But at least I’ve got everything that I need

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the top flight despite finishing 14th. “I met Alan Pardew: him, my agent and me and we had a good chat and he knew what kind of player I was and how he could get the best out of me. That’s why I was keen to come to Palace. “He knew my strengths. At the time, they were playing 4-3-3 with Wilf [Zaha] on the right and Andros [Townsend] on the left, so he knew that with those two players on the wing, I would get a lot of service. He also knew I was a threat in the

Christian Benteke arrived on the crest of a wave when he put pen to paper in Crystal Palace’s glass Beckenham offices. The frontman became an Eagle in between the likes of Steve Mandanda, Andros Townsend, James Tomkins, Patrick van Aanholt, Jeffrey Schlupp and Luka Milivojevic. Add Mamadou Sakho’s loan to the list and 2016/17 becomes one of the most significant squad enhancements in Palace history. The fact that seven of the 10 senior arrivals that season still easily make the club’s starting XI is a remarkable one, and the significance of that period is not lost on Benteke to this day. “I wasn’t surprised because I spoke with [Alan] Pardew and he wanted to bring some experienced Premier League players,” Benteke recalls four seasons later. “And that’s what the club did well. So I knew where I was coming. “This season, I feel we are looking up even more than the previous season because we know as a team how good we can be against any team in the Premier League. So I think that’s why now we are doing well and why we are now where we are in the rankings. But I think we can get even higher.” Despite signing in the same campaign as seasoned internationals and five £10m+ teammates, Benteke’s name was still the one in the spotlight. He,

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air, so it was good for the club, for the team and for me, as well, to score goals. “[Pardew] was an attacking manager and I think when you know you’ve got an attacking manager, you know you will have more chances than if you are a defensive team. With him, we would create four or five chances every game, against every team. That’s good. “I remember, even some of our defeats, it was always three goals, two goals; we were a team that created a lot of chances.” Up top, Benteke provided the firepower Pardew’s offensive Eagles required and, at the back, one of the club’s finest defensive units was about to arrive: Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho, who was calling his friend and former teammate as the January window approached. “[Sakho] did ask how the club and the players are and I talked to him,” Benteke explains. “I was clear and honest with him. I said: ‘It’s not Liverpool’s facilities or something like that, but they’ve got good pitches, the club is pro, everybody working for the club is really nice,’ and that’s it. Then the rest is more up to him on the pitch.” Sakho’s deadline day loan capped off Palace’s incredible business that season, and soon the centre-back was a core part of the club’s plans. Having formed a relationship with fellow French-speaking

teammate Benteke at Liverpool, the pair ruffled feathers on Merseyside when celebrating the forward’s brace in a 2-1 win at the end of April, 2017. Sakho, who impressively has a separate handshake for each member of the Palace squad, was still contracted to Liverpool, and explained his actions at the time. Now, Benteke has mirrored his teammate’s sentiments.

“ OF COURSE I’M GOING TO HIM AND OF COURSE HE’S HAPPY FOR ME - IT WAS NOTHING TO DO WITH LIVERPOOL AND THE FANS, IT WAS BETWEEN HIM AND ME: HE WAS HAPPY FOR ME. ”

“I remember,” he says, preempting the inevitable question, “but Mama was on loan and I’m the one who scored. Of course I’m going to him and of course he’s happy for me - it was nothing to do with Liverpool and the fans, it was between him and me: he was happy for me.” Sakho, Pardew, Townsend and Zaha may have been an ideal clutch

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“Once he was there, he was proving that he’s a good player. That was the reason I was happy: it’s not just because of the name, but he’s got the quality to train with us and he showed it.” When Jonathan took to the Riverside stadium turf, he made history as the Bentekes became the first Belgian brothers to feature competitively for the same team

“He looked up to me, of course; I’m his model, his motivation. “[Both playing for Palace] will be something I will keep and remember forever. It’s something you can’t take away from us, from the family and it’s something in 10, 20, 30 years we’re going to talk about. “My dad and my mum were proud and it was a good moment

“ [BOTH PLAYING FOR PALACE] WILL BE SOMETHING I WILL KEEP AND REMEMBER FOREVER. IT’S SOMETHING YOU CAN’T TAKE AWAY FROM US, FROM THE FAMILY AND IT’S SOMETHING IN 10, 20, 30 YEARS WE’RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT. ”

in England’s top flight. Jonathan’s cameo was brief, but his six minutes of Premier League action linger in the memory for Christian and the pair’s family. “[As children] obviously we’re not the same age so we were more playing on the streets with some friends. Even when I was in the Belgium youth team, he was too young to be with me so we were in different categories.

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because they know how hard we worked, and myself, to be in the Premier League, because that was my dream so we got what we deserved.” Clearly, though, the Bentekes weren’t the only figures earning their just rewards and, 22 crucial goals later, Palace can be glad for their transformative transfer business and the securing of Christian Benteke.

to support Benteke’s thunderous first season in south London, but the Belgian frontman was able to aid the club - and the club, in turn, aid him - off the pitch as well. Not only did the now-29-yearold have the support of fine wingers and an attack-minded manager, but he had someone far closer to home on-hand, too: Jonathan Benteke, his younger brother. Jonathan signed for the Eagles’ Development squad, but soon proved his first-team worth and ended up replacing his elder brother in the Premier League against Middlesbrough. Sadly, Jonathan’s time with Palace was cut short through injury, but the older Benteke professional is still grateful and proud of the months they spent together in SE25. “It was a dream for me,” he says, “but for him, too, because he had an experience to be around good Premier League players and train around good facilities in England. It was good and to be able to help him every day, it’s good for me as a big brother but for him as well, for his future. “At the same time I had a lot of pressure because when you train with your brother, you want him to do well. You don’t want him to be, I would say, not good enough and then the players around say: ‘Ah, yeah, he’s just there because he’s his [Christian’s] brother.’

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COPERS

THE SQUAD

Sebastian Frej

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WILFRIED ZAHA

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LUKA MILIVOJEVIC

A behind the scenes look at firstteam training, with Roy Hodgson and his coaching staff putting the squad through their paces ahead of tonightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clash with Chelsea.

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EAGLE EYE WITH PALACE TV'S CHRIS GRIERSON

Now that a few games have been played, it’s a good time to give you an insight into how it works for our media team covering games behind closed doors. The build-up to the game begins as always with Roy’s prematch press conference, which takes place in the media room (which was also our office until the middle of March!) at the Training Ground. Nobody is allowed in there anymore, which is why I’m writing this at home in my pants - sorry for that disgusting image. A computer is already set-up and cleaned for him when he arrives, he doesn’t even need to touch it at all. Nobody else is in the room with him as all the journalists are joining him on Zoom. Our Press Officer Joanne controls the press conference

online from a separate location. One player is still selected every week to be interviewed by rights-holders. However, this is now also done over Zoom, with the player setting up on his computer at home. I’ve actually noticed the interviews are a lot better because players seem more relaxed chatting at home as opposed to having lights

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and cameras pointing at them. On a matchday, we are only allowed to have five members of staff at a game: Two press officers, a camera operator, a reporter/ presenter and a web/social media reporter. The stadiums are split into Green, Amber and Red Zones. I’m allowed in the Amber Zone, along with the camera operator

and web/social media reporter. We don’t have to be tested for coronavirus but we do have to have our temperature checked before entering the stadium and fill out a health questionnaire. Bournemouth went for a temperature camera that was similar to when you go through e-passport gates. Liverpool went for temperature guns and they looked like they really enjoyed holding it to my head. Joanne and Terry, our two press officers at the games, must be tested twice a week along with players and coaches because on a matchday they’re in the red zone. This includes the tunnel and dugout areas where they are close to the players. We all have to drive separately to the ground and parking is spaced out every other space. We’re only allowed in from 90 minutes before kick-off which means everything is rushed as it also takes a long

time to get through all the checks. Once inside the ground, face masks must be worn at all times. The biggest shock to the system is that no food is supplied, usually the highlight of the day! You have to bring your own. I’m considering bringing some comical food in to eat during the game in the hope of getting on the telly. Suggestions welcome. Once in the stands, we’re placed far apart from each other. The games have been fascinating to watch so far. It’s so interesting hearing what the players are saying to each other. Scott Dann is an incredible talker, giving out positional instructions both in defence and attack. It must be great for Roy and Ray on the sidelines to get their point across, too. There’s actually a lot less swearing than I thought there would be. After the game, we do the interviews by the pitch. We

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have to set-up the stand side of the advertising boards, with a microphone on a boom pole extending over to the pitch, where the manager or player stands. As we have to leave the stadium pretty soon after full-time, we send the footage back live to Selhurst where an editor is waiting to upload it all to the website. They then edit the highlights when they get home, get hardly any sleep and start preparing for the next games in three days!

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

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plus: g n i n i a r t with

connor

Wickham

r o i n u j eagles

quizzes , games And more!

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junior eagles that s the real quiz

Gary Cahill played for Chelsea the last time Palace beat them.

True or False

Which Eagle scored Palace’s most recent goal against the Blues?

Andros Townsend or Christian Benteke

Apart from Gary Cahill, which fellow Palace defender also used to play for Chelsea?

Joel Ward or Patrick van Aanholt

How many goals did now-Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, score against Palace as a player?

Which Chelsea loanee played most recently for Crystal Palace?

Which Premier League club did Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante previously play for? Olivier Giroud has been at Chelsea longer than Christian Benteke has been at Palace. Frank Lampard played over 100 times for England, but was Roy Hodgson ever his Three Lions manager? Hakim Ziyech has already agreed to join Chelsea for the 2020/21 Premier League season. But from which club is he joining from? Which other Premier League side has Chelsea’s Willy Caballero represented?

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2 or 5

Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Michy Batshuayi Leicester City or Newcastle United

True or False

Yes or No

Ajax or Real Madrid

Manchester City or Norwich City

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palace v chelsea

guess who 14th October, 2017 saw Palace head to Stamford Bridge with the likes of Dion-Curtis Henry and Sullay Kaikai on the bench. Despite the pair not making it onto the pitch, the

? ?

game will be an experience they’ll no doubt remember, with the Eagles leaving west London with a huge three points. Fill in the missing players from the Eagles’ starting XI as well as the full-time result from that day.

in tra ini ng wit h con no r wic kh am Connor Wickham has had his big moments for Crystal Palace in front of goal, from FA Cup semi-final-winning headers at Wembley to late equalisers away at Norwich City as a former Tractor Boy. During pre-season we asked our striker what advice he would give to our Junior Eagles hoping to have their own fairytale moments whilst leading the line for the famous red and blue. “The higher up the footballing

Guess Who: Sakho, Milivojevic, Schlupp Score: Palace won 2-1 Leicester City 7. False 8. Yes 9. Ajax 10. Manchester City QUIZ: 1. True 2. Andros Townsend 3. Patrick van Aanholt 4. 2 5. Michy Batshuayi 6.

answers

ladder you go, the less and less time you get on the ball. Therefore, the quicker you can incorporate one-touch and two-touch but with precision and finesse, the better for your development. “Furthermore, don’t try and change your attributes or what you’re good at; don’t try and be a different sort of striker. What you are good at is unique to the team and they will play to your strengths."

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But how much of that 90 minutes can you remember?

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

2. Happy 70th Birthday to David Simpson, a supporter for 60 years and a Season Ticket holder sitting in the Holmesdale Upper. Love from Jan and all the family. 3. Happy 36th Birthday to Essex Eagle Daddy, Paul Holden! xXx UP THE PALACE!!! 4. Happy 46th Birthday to Northern Eagle, Tahir Khan! XxX UP THE PALACE!!! 5. Happy 29th Birthday, Chrissie -X- EEEAGLES!!! 6. Addison Rea, aged four months and born to be a CPFC fan. Watching the Eagles as a family for many years with many more to come. 7. Liam Campbell, aged seven months, cousin of Addison. Come on the Eagles, south London's red and blue army!

8. In loving memory of Margaret Saunders, a Palace supporter who sadly passed away on the 6th March, 2020, aged 88. A loving, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. 9. Welcome to the world, a new Eagle! Freddie Sedgwick-Lovell. COME ON YOU PALACE!!! 10. Happy 7th Birthday Jayden! Hope you have an amazing day! Hopefully back to Selhurst soon! Eeeeagles! Love Jason & Mum xxx 11. Happy 18th Birthday Alfie. Congratulations on finding your gender identity. From your best mates Charlie and Alex. 12. Wishing Terry Kirby a Palace fan in Spain a very Happy 70th Birthday. From Steve, Kirstyn, Paul & Matt. 13. Roll on next season when we'll be able to attend another: Crystal Palace 2 Chelsea 1.

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14. Dad Tom and Uncle Chris with a new member of the CPFC family, baby Florence. Love to all from a very proud Grandad David. 15. Congratulations to Matt & Shawna on the birth of Milo. We can't wait to meet him! With love and best wishes from Block Z 16. Sorry my good friend Bill, Palace will always be your bogey team, 'Eagle in exile' at Villa Verde Apart-Hotel near Athens in Greece 17. Belated Happy 60th Birthday Carol Newbery! Love from James, Emma & Hazel x 18. Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to see everyone again next season. The flag will be up in the lounge to ensure three points today. Anerley and Beyond Crew 19. Not at Selhurst, but there in spirit, go on lads! 20. Happy 10th Birthday Adam, hope you have a wonderful day. Lots of love Dad, Mum and Isabella xxx

1. Happy 12th Birthday Pablo! Have a great day celebrating with the Eagles. Love Dad, Mum & Hugo xxx COYP!

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

22. Wishing the boys good luck today against Chelsea from the littlest eagle Albie Gary Watkins! 23. Go Eagles!! From Dougie and Maria x 24. Thank you Palace for Life for supporting our children for two years. Sorry we couldn't say goodbye. See you in September. Kenley Primary School 25. We cannot wait to be back at Selhurst! C’mon you EAGLES! Mark and Elsie 26. Hi, I’m a long-term Palace fan from Belfast. I had to go in for foot surgery and requested my cast red and blue. Eagles 27. The Woo family really miss watching Palace home and away (us at Newcastle). Looking forward to fans returning - but the nation’s health must come first.

28. Love you lots Daddy, OPH 29. In loving memory of my dad Barry Bull. You now have the best seat in the house. Taken too soon. Love Andy x 30. My name is Max Browne. I'm 12-years-old and I love Crystal Palace. So glad we are back at Selhurst Park. Come on Palace! 31. Happy Birthday Chloe. Hope you have a good day. Lots of love Rich and all your family and friends. C’mon you Palace! 32. Happy 13th Birthday, Nicholas! 33. Happy 11th Birthday Imogen for today. Lots of love Dad, Mum, Liam, Elliott and the rest of your Palace-supporting family. xxx 34. Happy Birthday Dave (and Uncle David) for tomorrow. Lots of love Chris, Rebecca, Liam, Imogen, Elliott, Screll, Lola-Rose, Jackson and the rest of your family. xxx

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35. Congratulations to Palace fan and Season Ticket holder Jake Barton and his partner Jess expecting a baby boy in October. COYP 36. In loving memory of Andy Brockman who sadly passed away on 19th May, 2020, aged 83. Andy was a lifelong Palace fan. Rest in peace Andy, from all the Brockmans. 37. Happy Birthday to Jenny Shillitoe and also to Charles Shillitoe. 38. Happy Birthday to Joel, who has turned six. He loves to watch the matches and his favourite player is PVA. With love from all his family. 39. Happy 60th Birthday Dad! Hope you have a great day! Love from Liam, Craig & Megan x 40. In loving memory of Sue Gordon who passed from COVID-19 on 12/04/20. Lifelong Palace fan & ST holder in Lower Holmesdale. Forever in our hearts.

21. Happy 6th Birthday to our Junior Eagle Millie. Hope you’re feeling Glad All Over on your special day. Love Mum Dad Ciaran Cameron xXx

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PROUD PARTNER

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THE BLUES

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CHELSEA THE BLUES

STAT 36

Olivier Giroud has four goals and one assist against Palace in 10 games.

FROM THE DUGOUT

“'WE WERE TAKING TOO MANY TOUCHES [V LEICESTER CITY]. OUR GAME NEEDS TO BE BRIGHTER THAN THAT”

MATCH PREVIEW Frustratingly for the Eagles, Selhurst Park has been a happy hunting ground for Chelsea, with the Blues having won four of their last five league visits to SE25 - Palace did win the other in October, 2017, thanks to a César Azpilicueta own goal and a Wilfried Zaha strike. In fact, Zaha enjoys playing the south-west Londoners with the Palace talisman's assist total against Chelsea the joint-fourth highest of his career against one opponent. An odd quirk to clashes involving the two London sides has seen none of the last 17 Premier League meetings end in a draw - the Blues winning 13 to Palace’s four. Palace welcome Chelsea having kept four clean sheets

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in their last six games, and Roy Hodgson’s side will need to rely on that defensive stability tonight, with the Eagles having kept just one clean sheet in their last 17 matches against Chelsea – a 1-0 win in March, 2014. Chelsea, however, are looking to record three consecutive clean sheets against Crystal Palace for the first time since September, 1997 – with an average of 1.32 goals scored per game this season, Jordan Ayew & co will be confident of preventing the Blues’ ‘hat-trick.’ Frank Lampard is looking to become the first English manager to do the league double over Crystal Palace with Chelsea since Dave Sexton in 1971/72.

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Frank Lampard only scored once for Chelsea against the Eagles, and that happened in the ‘04/05 season.

DID YOU KNOW?

MOST PL WINS

MOST PL GOALS

John Terry

Frank Lampard

311

147

Frank Lampard

Didier Drogba

272

Eden Hazard

219 Didier Drogba

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

Arrizabalaga Azpilicueta Christensen Rüdiger Alonso Barkley

Kanté Mount Willian Giroud Pulisic

1 4

2 3

CHELSEA FORM GUIDE

SUBS 17 Kovacic 11 Pedro

LAST TIME OUT 25th June, 2020 | 8:15pm | Stamford Bridge

THIRD

2-1

AWAY

172

1 28 4 2 3 8 7 19 10 18 22

HOME

104

Petr Cech

9 Abraham 47 Gilmour

Statistics correct as of 29th June, 2020

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

ACCELERATION

AGILITY

TOUCH

OUTPACE

CONTROL REACT

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

THE ORCHESTRATOR

07.07.2020

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.

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

AMATEUR ANALYSIS PALACE V CHELSEA

ORCHESTRATOR: JORGINHO 40

After becoming the stick to beat Maurizio Sarri with last season, many expected Frank Lampard to jettison Jorginho from the middle of the park. However, the former Napoli midfielder has remained the temposetter for the south-west Londoners. Despite having started 23 league games – plus three further substitute appearances – Jorginho tops Chelsea’s table for total passes made with 1,861 (César Azpilicueta is just 13 passes behind the Italian, however, the defender has made 29 starts). Jorginho serves another huge purpose for Lampard’s side, with the midfielder having made the most interceptions for Chelsea this season (57) – in fact, that number puts him

ninth in the Premier League table, with only Bournemouth’s Diego Rico above him having started less games. With the likes of tenacious James McArthur, Luka Milivojevic and James McCarthy potentially coming up against Jorginho in the middle tonight, Palace may well be unable to unsettle the midfielder, with his 10 yellow cards this season – a joint-league high – suggesting a short fuse. Jorginho in numbers // PL 2019/20 Yellow cards

Accurate long balls

Total passes

1,861

Passes per match

Goals

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

Having reclaimed his starting berth back from Willy Caballero in the final two games before the COVID-19-enforced pause on football, the jury remains out on the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga. With 46 saves to his name, Frank Lampard’s No.1 sits 21st for saves made in the Premier League this season, that is despite playing

THE FLEXIBILITY OF PULISIC The 21-year-old American may not always be trusted to start by Frank Lampard, but that hasn’t stopped him making an impact this season. Pulisic has seven goals and two assists in his 18 Premier League appearances - five of those coming from the bench.

in all but four of the Blues’ league fixtures. The saves statistic, naturally, does tend to be dominated by club’s further down the league, however Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel has made 85 saves so far – and the Foxes sit above the Blues in the table. The former Athletic Bilbao ‘keeper’s stats also suggest a nervousness when it comes to commanding his area, making just four successful punches this campaign – the 20th-most in the league. When you consider that

Premier League ranking

Interestingly, four of his seven goals have come inside the six-yard box, suggesting a poacher’s instinct not always found in midfielders. The United States international is versatile and flexible in his positional sense, and this could potentially cause Palace some issues tonight – he’s a hard player to pick-up. Lampard has used Pulisic in

three different positions this season: either side of the striker in a 4-3-3 and also further back as a left attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1. Pulisic is able to play on both sides of the pitch, and therefore alternate with teammates like Willian, meaning Patrick van Aanholt and Joel Ward will need to be aware of who they’re man-marking.

Position

Palace’s Vicente Guaita tops the goalkeeping charts for clearances and punches, it is safe to say the Eagles have a commanding presence at the opposite end of the pitch to Arrizabalaga.

Saves

21st

Punches

20th

Clearances

18th

High claims

7th

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Left wing

Left attacking midfield

Right wing

Statistics correct as of 29th June, 2020

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

KEEP AN EYE ON ‘KEEPER KEPA

OPPOSITION IN NUMBERS

The number of times Chelsea have been out of the top two divisions in their history. The closest they got to relegation to the third tier was in 1983 when they finished just two points and the same number of places clear of the trapdoor.

By Chris Waters @Clapham_Grand

11 11

Chelsea became the first team in Premier League history to name a starting XI consisting solely of foreign players, when they played Southampton on Boxing Day, 1999. With nine different nationalities on the pitch, they won 2-1 with Tore Andre Flo bagging a brace.

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

13 The number of goals the Blues scored, without reply, against Luxembourg side Jeunesse Hautcharage in the 1971/72 European Cup Winners’ Cup – a clubrecord win. After a first leg 8-0 victory they clearly left nothing to chance!

8,923

The number of fans at Stamford Bridge who, on the 4th May, 1994, watched the Blues lose 2-1 to Coventry City, in front of the second lowest Premier League attendance ever.

SOMEONE THEY’D LIKE TO FORGET: For the third programme in a row, it is Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero who features here. This time, the Argentina international has an impressive 15 goals and three assists in 20 appearances against the Blues.

18 Statistics correct as of 29th June, 2020

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

Rebrewed from head to hop. Carlsberg Danish Pilsner. NEW Brew NEW Glass NEW Fount Still iconically Danish. 44

Proud to support

Crystal Palace Football Club

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

OPPOSITION

CLEAN SHEETS

GOALS CONCEDED

156

RECOVERIES

136

DUELS WON

169

BIG CHANCES CREATED

Patrick van Aanholt

César Azpilicueta

LAST MAN TACKLES

50%

TACKLE SUCCESS RATE

57%

110

CLEARANCES

HEADED CLEARANCES

ACCURATE LONG BALLS

Gary Cahill

Kurt Zouma

GOALS

SHOTS

FOULS

YELLOW CARDS

1,245

PASSES

989

Luka Milivojevic

N'Golo Kanté Statistics correct as of 29th June, 2020

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

PLAYER COMPARISON

07.07.2020

46 CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

Pete the Eagle CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

At first glance, primary school teachers and football mascots couldn’t seem more contrasting characters. Beige suits - red and blue costumes. Writing lines - roly-polies. 48

Carefully perched spectacles giant, armless sunglasses. For former Palace mascot Keith Blackwell, however, the two roles crossed seamlessly. Mr Blackwell by weekday, Pete the Eagle by alternate Saturdays. The headteacher of Churchill Primary School, Keith chose to don the huge – almost frightening – eagle costume of the late 1990s on a whim. With a vacancy advertised in the matchday programme, Keith thought: “‘That would be fun. It would be interesting to get out onto the pitch and meet the players and have a laugh with the fans.’ “I went home,” he explains the day he officially began life as Pete, “and my dear wife said: ‘Where

have you been? I tried to phone you around 4 o’clock.’ I said: ‘I’ve been up to the Palace to get a job.’ She said: ‘What?’ So I told her and she said: ‘Oh, you haven’t, have you?’” He had. For over seven years, Keith defied his wife’s expectations and attended nearly every clash at Selhurst Park, sporting the eagle outfit and entertaining fans come rain or shine. Speaking to him, it sounds as if he loved almost every second of it, in spite of the oddities that come as part and parcel of the role. “There were certain people that you saw every week and there was a bloke who used to sit behind the Whitehorse Lane end and every time he’d say: ‘How you doing, Pete?’ and I’d say: ‘All right.’ He’d say: ‘What’s the score going to be?’ and I’d say: ‘I think it’s going to be 2-1 to the Palace.’ ‘Nah, I think it’s going to be 3-1.’ For the whole of the seven years he never once agreed! “Every so often, I also used to take the costume home and take it around to our dry cleaners. He was highly chuffed to be washing the eagle costume and he had a special

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

programme on his machine marked ‘eagle costume’. He wouldn’t charge because he thought it was such a laugh - such an unusual request.” But Keith’s double life as teacher by day, eagle by night was not something he could keep secret. Revealing to parents at his school why he was unable to attend a regular Parent Teacher Association meeting, Keith outed himself as the club’s energetic mascot. “I’d say: ‘Unfortunately, I can’t come tonight’ and the parents would say: ‘Why not?’ I’d tell them I’m flying. They’d say: ‘Where are you flying?’ and I’d say: ‘Oh, just around Selhurst Park. I’m the new mascot at Crystal Palace,’ and they thought it was absolutely hilarious. “Going onto the pitch at Wembley for the play-offs was absolutely super. I went across to the end where the Palace fans were and I saw one of the kids from my school. When you think how many thousands must have been there and I could hear this voice and I looked up and there he was waving his hands. Seeing him there was quite special.”

07.07.2020

Tom swiftly became well-known faces across the country. “I got a phone call from some friends of ours in Kent and they said: ‘Have you seen the Daily Mail this morning? Your picture is on it!’ I went down to the paper shop and bought the Daily Mail and there it was: ‘Is this England’s maddest fan?’” The life of a mascot can’t be a typical one. But for Keith Blackwell, teacher of a Palace legend, star of a multinational Coke campaign and favourite amongst the Selhurst faithful, life must have felt very atypical indeed. So much for your average teacher.

“I got a phone call from some friends of ours in Kent and they said: ‘Have you seen the Daily Mail this morning? Your picture is on it!’ I went down to the paper shop and bought the Daily Mail and there it was: ‘Is this England’s maddest fan?’”

However, Keith’s student below the Wembley towers isn’t the only pupil who stands out in the former teacher’s mind: “I used to teach John Salako when he was nine or 10 and somewhere I’ve got a picture of him playing for the primary school,” Keith reveals. “He had been transferred to Reading and we played Reading one evening and so I went onto the pitch and said: ‘Hello, John, how are you doing?’ and he said: ‘Is that you in there, Sir?!’ “His mum, Mrs Salako, used to come to the school and help listen to children read for many years and she was a lovely lady, really smashing. When I retired, John presented me with a Palace shirt with ‘Blackwell 16’ because I’d been a head teacher for 16 years. That was a bit special. John was a model pupil!” While most fans in SE25 probably wouldn’t recognise Keith as the teacher of one of its brightest talents, they would have known him from TV as the co-star of a series of Coca Cola adverts launched to celebrate some of the most unique fans in football: ‘Eat. Sleep. Drink.’ The advert saw Keith and his son Tom share the screen as the former paraded across the Selhurst turf and the latter express his embarrassment at having a seven-foot eagle for a father. It was a popular hit with football followers in south London and beyond and both Keith and

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

GAME CHANGER footballfoundation.org.uk

AD-105x148-FF-Game Changer.indd 1

01/08/2019 09:21

07.07.2020

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.

JS RM

This week, we asked Jeffrey Schlupp to choose five players from the Leicester City’s title-winning squad that he was famously part of.

KASPER SCHMEICHEL “A great ‘keeper but he’s good with his feet. I reckon he’d try to catch the other ‘keeper out with a shot like he did in training all the time.”

WES MORGAN “You need someone like Wes in any level and format you play football.”

JEFFREY SCHLUPP “I’m going to put myself in. I love a bit of fivers and I’d back myself.”

RIYAD MAHREZ “Super talented. Especially in those tight situations - his feet are crazy.”

JAMIE VARDY “Honestly, he’s a freak. He’s unbelievable. And that story of how he made it late in his career. Unreal.”

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

PLAY ONLINE NOW TO SUPPORT SOUTH LONDON SEARCH PALACE SUPER DRAW

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

PALACE FOR LIFE

More than 10,000 nutritious meals have been prepared by the chefs at Selhurst Park and delivered to those in need across south London during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Palace Kitchen is a partnership between Crystal Palace FC, Palace for Life Foundation and City Harvest London, with the aim of providing healthy meals for elderly and vulnerable people forced to stay at home, families facing food poverty, homeless people and frontline NHS workers. One of the drop-off points for the meals is Legacy Youth Zone in Croydon, where pregnant local mother Sarah has been collecting food to help feed her family each week. Sarah, who also has a two-year-old daughter at home, lost her job at the start of lockdown and explained that it has been a huge help. “Lockdown is tough,” she said. “I’m high risk so I don’t

want to go out much; I don’t want anything to happen to me or my baby. I only come out once a week to collect my food and once a week to go to the park. “The food we get is lovely. I’m pregnant and I don’t have the energy to cook for the family, so the meals are amazing and they are delicious and healthy, too.” Sarah has been living in London for five years, having moved with her husband from South Africa and leaving the rest of their extended family and friends behind. “We don’t have any support around us, or any family, they’re all back in South Africa,” Sarah revealed. “To know that Crystal Palace is providing for us is so nice and it’s such a great help for my family.” Senior Development Coordinator at Palace for Life Foundation, Jamie Broughton, added: “The needs of the people

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

in our community have intensified during this time and we know that families are struggling to provide for their children. We’re proud to be working with partners such as City Harvest London and Legacy Youth Zone to make a positive difference.” The Palace Kitchen is funded by the club and individual shareholders, covering costs of purchasing fresh ingredients, preparing meals and packing and labelling them ready for collection and distribution. An additional £7,000 has been raised by Palace fans who have taken part in the virtual Palace for Life Super Draw. City Harvest London, who are covering distribution costs, collect the food from Selhurst Park and deliver to frontline organisations in the local area. Find out more: www.palaceforlife.org or @palaceforlife

FOUNDATION

07.07.2020

INVEST IN WHAT YOU LOVE 54

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INDICES

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CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 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 PALACE money.v CHELSEA

COMMODITIES

OVER ZOOM A year on from his Premier League debut, the excitement around Luke Dreher is still there, despite a season-ruining injury in pre-season. Here, the midfielder talks through his recovery with Ben Mountain.

07.07.2020

When the No.28 was hoisted into the balmy Selhurst air last May, Luke Dreher felt at the top of his game. After several consecutive seasons racked by injury, the dogged midfielder was feeling fit, confident and stepping into a Premier League match. “It felt like a reward for the hard work I’d put in over the last few years,” Dreher says shortly after the anniversary of his professional debut. “It had been pretty tough. It gave me motivation that what I was doing was good and it gave me motivation to kickon. That summer, it left me on a real high.” Dreher’s high continued throughout his first full pre-season in years, with the 21-year-old joining the senior team in Switzerland and later playing a hand in every other summertime friendly bar one. He was training with the first-team every day, fulfilling the hefty potential seen in him by club scouts and coaches from the age of nine. He was finally on the precipice of playing with a full pre-season behind him, fit and ready to make his mark in the first-team. “Going into the season I was feeling great,” he says. And then the cruellest twist of fate struck. “It was a friendly against MK Dons,” Dreher explains. “It was

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

“IT WAS VERY TOUGH BUT YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU CAN: I WATCHED TV SERIES, I HAD A FEW FRIENDS COME TO VISIT ME TO KEEP MY SPIRITS UP BUT AS MUCH AS YOU TRY TO ESCAPE IT, IT’S HARD LOOKING DOWN AND YOUR KNEE

after about 60 minutes when your legs are getting a bit tired because it’s pre-season; I went to turn and my knee sort of gave way. Straight away I knew it was a serious injury. I couldn’t move my leg. “It was an unbelievably hard pill to swallow. I didn’t think it was as serious as it was, but going from feeling how I was to getting that, it was a really, really hard one to take.” Injuring his right knee, Dreher was told he faced a long time in the physio room. He’d been there before, but those past experiences didn’t soften the blow. “The first few weeks, I was in a dark place - especially with what had gone on in the previous few years. “When you get the news you’re going to be out for the whole season, no matter how many times you’ve dealt with the setback before, it wouldn’t be normal if it didn’t hit you hard. I’d go through some periods, especially at the start, where I couldn’t even think

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

about football, couldn’t even watch it because I’d be upset.” Dreher underwent the surgery required to prepare his knee for the months of rehab ahead of him and an eventual return to football far down the line. “It was hard because it was a really big surgery,” he says. “I needed help getting out of bed and stuff - my mum would have to lift my leg out of bed for me. I was on crutches for two months so I wasn’t able to put any weight on my right leg... I was just housebound. “It was very tough but you have to do what you can: I watched TV series, I had a few friends come to visit me to keep my spirits up but as much as you try to escape it, it’s hard looking down and your knee is massive.” Dreher speaks with us as his rehabilitation approaches a return to the pitches for conditioning and gentle running. It’s his day off, when he would typically try to distract himself from injury and focus his mind elsewhere. But instead he’s

IS MASSIVE.”

07.07.2020

talking through painful memories. From the other end of the phone, it doesn’t seem to affect him, as Dreher is talkative, helpful and considered. He starts off by flipping the interview on its head: asking questions of his own, politely commenting on his interviewer’s local park and recent weeks. He reservedly admits that he’s enjoyed a lie-in - but it’s barely 10am and, at 21, Dreher would still be of university age if it weren’t for his footballing prowess. He’s also thoughtful and forthcoming when addressing a topic even seasoned pros struggle to discuss: mental health. We ask Dreher if he worries about it after experiencing a prolonged injury. “Definitely,” he replies without pause. “It’s a massive part of it: the mental battle as well as the physical battle during rehab. “For me, it’s normal to be so low when you get [injury] news like that... There were a few weeks where it was tough but then you have to come to a realisation that this is what you’re working for: if you want to get back to it you need to get your head back on track.” On track and looking towards next season - roughly when Dreher can aim to return, excluding further complications - the midfielder is using his experience to aid his recovery. “My leg completely lost all

of its muscle,” he says. “You kind of have to learn to walk properly again because everything in your leg goes. I remember the first time I tried to put my foot down, I couldn’t do it because I’d get pins and needles and cramp. “Obviously I haven’t been doing much for nine months and you can’t just return and keep playing. That’s what I’ve found before, you pick up a hamstring injury or pick up a quad injury and they’re the tough ones to deal with because you see the light at the end of the tunnel and then, bang, you feel something in your hamstring and have another month out when you thought you were almost there.” Thankfully, Dreher is wellsupported by a dedicated medical and fitness team at Palace, who stayed in touch with the Development talent even through the Premier League lockdown which forced him away from the Training Ground. Dreher would attach his phone to a tripod early in the morning, Zoom the fitness team and conduct his conditioning sessions from home. But staff haven’t been the only people on-hand for the recovering 21-year-old. “A few of the squad in the first-team have had similar injuries so it’s really good to talk

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

“THERE ARE LOTS OF MODEL PROFESSIONALS THERE FOR ME TO LOOK UP TO AND THEY’RE ALL MORE THAN HAPPY FOR ME TO SPEAK TO THEM.”

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

to them about it, they’re all so approachable. Whenever I’m going through a tough period or have a question on something that isn’t feeling right, I’ll talk to one of them and they assure me it’s all normal. “Scott Dann had an injury recently, Martin Kelly did, he said, when he was fairly young at Liverpool - they’ve both been good. James McArthur, as well, is someone I speak to. There are lots of model professionals there for me to look up to and they’re all more than happy for me to speak to them.” With the support of staff and players alike coupled with his own resolve and experience, Dreher’s eyes are still fixed firmly on the proverbial prize in spite of his setbacks. Will we see you at Selhurst next season, we ask. “That’s still the aim, that’s why I’m waking up on these early mornings and that’s what I’ve been doing all my work for. I’m hoping my luck can change because it’s been a tough few years. “That’s why I keep working hard: because I believe it will change and I believe I’m good enough. I’ll keep working and that’s what I’m working towards: being out at Selhurst for the fans to be cheering me on.” It’s a vision to inspire anyone on.

07.07.2020

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CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

Crystal Palace’s league campaign drew to a close on a sun-drenched afternoon at Selhurst Park with a celebratory atmosphere and a banner of encouragement unfurled by the visiting Manchester City support, wishing their hosts luck for the upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester United. That nine-goal humiliation at Liverpool the previous autumn felt an age away. This was more like a carnival. It helped that the south Londoners tore into a handsome lead with an early goal from Alan Pardew and a free-kick from Andy Gray that was so stunning it will remain seared on the memories of all who witnessed it. Gray wheeled towards the bench to receive plaudits, with one topless supporter running on to the pitch to offer his own congratulations. Had Steve Coppell’s side maintained that advantage they would have ended their first campaign back in the top flight in a handsome 12th place, above both Manchester clubs with an impressive 50 points to their name. Back then, it would have been the highest finish in the club’s history. As it transpired, Clive Allen tucked away a penalty shortly after

his introduction from the bench and, after Garry Thompson’s dismissal for a second bookable offence, Niall Quinn equalised two minutes from time despite a suspicion of handball. Palace ended in 15th, still five points clear of the condemned. The achievement was hard to consider as an anti-climax given the trip to Wembley was only a week away. Even Coppell and his players had appeared rather distracted, with one eye on fitness concerns ahead of the big day. Wimbledon had attempted to kick them off the park at Plough Lane the previous midweek. Emerging unscathed from the City match was easier, but still felt like success. Of course, there was also the off-field razzmatazz with which to contend. Eric Hall, the flamboyant agent who looked after Andy Thorn, had taken charge of sorting the players’ endorsements, as he had done for the Dons ahead of their own Cup final appearance two years previously, and had become a permanent fixture down in Mitcham. “This was in the days before players, certainly those who had just come out of the Second Division, earned big money,” said Gary

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

O’Reilly. “Getting to the final brought with it certain perks. So we had Monster [Hall] looking after our player pool, and he was a law unto himself. “Monster would hang around the training ground telling us he’d sorted out all manner of outlandish ‘monster’ deals. We had players having to wear Ray-Ban sunglasses in pre-match photos, reading copies of the Today newspaper whenever the snappers were around, or unfurling umbrellas emblazoned with adverts. Even when it was sunny.” Then there was the squad’s day at Abbey Road studios to record Glad All Over, their cup final song. “We reproduced that iconic picture on the zebra crossing for the front cover,” added O’Reilly, who would go on to become the first defender to score in both an FA Cup semi-final and final in the same season. “I drop that into conversations when I meet musicians these days.‘I’ve recorded at Abbey Road, don’t you know,’ and watch their jaws hit the floor. “I can’t play an instrument. I can’t really hold a tune. You can tell they want to strangle me and, to be honest, I don’t really blame them.”

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 how the Eagles closed out their league campaign before the FA Cup final v Manchester United.

07.07.2020

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CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

Mark Bright poses during the 1986/87 season for a house-hunting sponsorship. Needless to say, all roads in his copy of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;LONDON A-Zâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; led back to SE25.

A CHANNEL DEDICATED TO THE 07.07.2020

64 CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

PALACEXI IN TIME By Ian King

Club Historian Ian King recalls Palace’s first giant-killing in the FA Cup, which was against today’s opposition Chelsea in 1905 - the year both clubs were originally thought to have formed prior to Palace's 1861 claim.

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

STARTINGXI Goalkeeper

Bob Hewitson

goals before half-time

Right-back

George Walker

with Wilf Innerd and

Left-back

Archie Grant

Right-half

Wilf Innerd

latter with one from

Centre-half

Ted Birnie

the penalty spot.

Left-half

Horace Astley

Right-wing

Charles Wallace

Inside-right

Dick Harker

Centre-forward

Walter Watkins

Inside-left

Archie Needham

Left-wing

Dickie Roberts

Palace fired in four

Walter Watkins each netting twice, the

Crystal Palace 7 Chelsea 1

18th November, 1905

LW IR

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

PALACEXI IN TIME

THE FOREWORD Both Chelsea and Crystal Palace were formed professionally in 1905, but it was the Blues who were to join the Football League Division Two. Palace’s aspirations weren’t as lofty, and they opted for election to the Southern League Division One. However, the Glaziers were thwarted by Norwich City for the vacant slot, and therefore had to start in the Second Division of the Southern League. Perhaps failure to secure a spot in Division One was down to our London rivals not wanting another on their ‘patch’, thus casting their votes for the Norfolk club. On the 18th November, 1905, Chelsea had a fixture clash as they were scheduled to play Burnley in Division Two that day. Although the Blues were meant to give the FA Cup game v Palace preference, Palace declined Chelsea’s request to agree a new date for the cup game. Faced with this dilemma Chelsea made it known in advance that the first-team would play the home game against Burnley and a team of reserve players would make the short trip across to south London.

SEVEN UP AND STROLLING Due to the decision to field a weakened team, an expected sizeable crowd diminished to around 3,000. Palace fired in four goals before half-time with Wilf Innerd and Walter Watkins each netting twice, the latter with one from the penalty spot. With memories of the club’s first-ever game in the Southern League against Southampton Reserves still fresh in their minds, when a three-goal lead ended in a 4-3 defeat, the players emerged for the second-half determined to make sure that would not happen again. It didn’t. Further strikes from Archie Needham, Dick Harker and Watkins - completing his hat-trick with the seventh – secured Palace’s victory, while Pat O’Hara scored a consolation effort for the Blues just before the final whistle. Such was Palace’s superiority that day, one report suggested the players spent the final 20 minutes “playing to the gallery.” Palace defeated Luton Town in the next round before bowing out to Division Two Blackpool in a second replay at Villa Park.

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NEW RULE IMPLEMENTED Chelsea perhaps felt vindicated, as a 1-0 victory over Burnley on the same day the Glaziers ran riot against their reserves earned the Blues another two points in their inaugural season, which secured them a third-place finish. That decision by Chelsea garnered a great deal of criticism in the press and the question of the legitimacy of playing reserve teams was brought to the notice of the FA Council. This matter was then referred to the Rules Revision Committee with the expectation that the ruling 'that a club must have the express intention of placing its best available XI on the field of play' would be updated. It was, with the rule altered to state that: Each team participating in a match shall represent the full available strength of each competing club. It seems fair enough to suggest that the outcome of the FA Cup clash between Palace and Chelsea had a direct impact on the rules of football.

By Ian King

07.07.2020

An original 1909/10 team photo postcard. In the background you can see the original stands at the Crystal Palace 'cup final' stadium, where the club first played. The item was published by Russell and Sons, the official photographers at the Crystal Palace. With the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s announcement over the summer that is was staking its claim as the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest professional football club with a clear lineage back to 1861, we launched the Palace in the Attic campaign. 68

Fans tweeted and emailed in hundreds of fascinating items ranging from early 20th century programmes to items that, although limited in monetary value, had a priceless sentimental value. Across the remaining matchday programmes of the 2019/20 season we will be showcasing some of the unique, amusing and interesting artefacts fans kindly took the time to send in.

A late 1960s duffel bag in pristine condition.

It's not too late to showcase your memorabilia. Send photos and descriptions to: attic@cpfc.co.uk

WT Ellison turnstile counter removed from Selhurst Park. The fan who sent this in is reliably told that this was removed by a builder and was used circa 1920s.

CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

A Peter Simpson testimonial programme, that the Palace legend personally signed, from his benefit game in October, 1934.

A display poster advertising upcoming home fixtures from the 1970s.

Danny Gabbidon's boot from the 2013 play-off final at Wembley. It was thrown into the crowd and luckily for this fan landed at their feet - a great end to a great day.

An early 1970s wristwatch.

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A mirror bought by a fan's wife in a shop in Westow Hill, Upper Norwood in 1979, celebrating Palace's championship win that year.

07.07.2020

70 CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA

07.07.2020

SHAUN DERRY

I went straight into senior management at Notts County and then Cambridge United. But working at Crystal Palace again was a massive pull because I felt that this job, working so close with a Premier League academy, would have massive value in my own development. The Category 1 aims – and now approval – were massive in bringing me back to the club for a third time. It’s not just the players that want to work amongst incredible facilities, the coaching staff want that, too. This exciting next step will develop and push us all on, across the junior coaches right up to me and Paddy McCarthy. The way I managed the firstteam in my senior management roles is hugely different to the way I manage here because I’m dealing with young people; I’m on a learning curve, just like the players. When you’re the senior team manager, the aim of achieving that match-winning result is, primarily,

what you’re focused on – it is how you’re graded. The academy environment, especially the one we have developed – and continue to develop – shifts your main focus to developing the crop of youngsters you’ve got into footballers and also well-rounded people. The latter is an aspect that is now of equal importance: the players’ mental wellbeing is at the forefront of everything we do. The change in aims from senior football to academy football does mean that you will need to accept a few more tough moments when it comes to results. Of course, last season had several of those disappointing moments at full-time and it’s not what you want to see when you look at the league table. But the coaching staff and I always have to remember the bigger picture. Our squad was the youngest average age group last season, with most of our players able to

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make up an Under-19s squad in a primarily Under-23s environment. Ultimately, though, that in itself represents success. I don’t want to be that coach of the Under-23s who is sat on the top of the league, hoarding players for my own gain. It’s not about that. It’s all about pushing players, seeing how far they can go and feeling that excitement I do when the likes of Nya Kirby, Malachi Boateng and Tyrick Mitchell are pictured training with the first-team. In Brandon Pierrick, I know he hasn’t pulled on the shirt too many times, but this campaign has seen him experience a large part of what a first-team season looks like: from training to travelling to pre-match meetings. He now has an incredible amount of first-hand experience of what he is hoping to one day permanently achieve. I have faith in him and all of the lads to admirably continue trying to go all the way.

With the season curtailed early, it feels like a good time to reflect on what is fastapproaching the end of my first year as part of Palace’s Academy.

07.07.2020

5-0 rout in a cup final isn’t a scoreline you’d expect to see too often, but when Crystal Palace Women’s reserve team fired five past Nottingham Forest in the National Reserves League Cup final at the Pro:Direct Stadium it was almost to be expected. That emphatic showpiece performance took the team’s tally to 27 goals in six games – with just six goals conceded to boot. “We went in with the same tactics as we always do and full of confidence,” Charlie Goad, a scorer of two of the goals from that final, attempts to explain the Eagles’ dominance. “Due to Nottingham Forest playing in a different league to us we didn’t know too much about them in terms of key players and tactics.” Goad adds: “We did take a look at their results and league position but you can’t always judge a team on those factors – especially in a cup final!” But as Goad continues, you get the feeling that Forest never really stood a chance: “You could tell from when the first goal went in how much it meant to the girls. It was an incredible atmosphere and that only increased when we scored the opener.” Goad’s performance and brace in the final highlighted just why first-team manager

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Mia Lockett

Beau Parker

Dean Davenport has been keen to fast track Goad to the senior squad prior to the curtailment of the 2019/20 campaign. The winger played five times for the first-team, which has included three starts and a first senior goal against Southampton in the FA Cup. Enjoying “her best season yet,” Goad’s enthusiasm for Crystal Palace is clear – there is no distinct difference between the reserve squad and the first-team in her eyes: “We all as a club have the same philosophy: to work hard and play for the badge.” If Palace Women are looking for someone who embodies the club mantra then they’ve found one in Goad. Despite her breakthrough season, the attacking-midfielder is not resting on her laurels, displaying a real eagerness to learn. She says: “Dean Davenport sat me down a few times over the season and discussed my progress in terms of what I’m doing well and what I could look to improve on and I take that all on board.” It’s interesting to hear the passion with which Charlie Goad talks about ‘Marrsy’ – James Marrs – a hire in January as a first-team coach. Throughout discussions with various personnel around the club, the positivity over Marrs’ impact is never far from conversation.

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Goad explains: “Marrsy changed the training sessions. It spiked a huge improvement from the squad on and off the pitch. “And I think the cup final result showed that the hard work off the pitch is paying off and that’s down to the commitment of the coaches – Dean Lock and Jamie Broughton - without them we wouldn’t be able to pull off such feats.” But it’s not just the coaches making their mark on Goad’s development, the focused and friendly first-team squad atmosphere is playing its part, too. Goad continues: “When Réa Laudat was at the club, she was great for me. But all the girls have been excellent in terms of supporting me and putting an arm around me. It has helped so much.” A family-first and communitydriven club is what Palace prides itself on and it is that ethos that gives youngsters like Goad, Beau Parker and Mia Lockett – all scorers in the National Reserves League Cup final and players with first-team minutes under their belts – the perfect environment to thrive in. But if we’ve named just three there, Goad interrupts us to add: “The whole team could handle the jump (to the first-team).” The pathway to a brighter future at Palace Women is there for all to see.

07.07.2020

NATURAL CAFFEINE ZERO SUGAR HYDRATION CRYSTAL PALACE v CHELSEA now available countrywide

07.07.2020

QUIZTAL PALACE

Junior Eagles quiz section not testing you enough? Performed well in the Crystal Palace pub quiz during the COVID-19 lockdown? Well, give the below a go.

Can you name Palace’s top league appearance makers since 2010/11? Here’s a clue: five of the players are still at the club.

320

162

220

153

215

144

191

133

170

114

Answers in chronological order: Wilfried Zaha, Julián Speroni, Joel Ward, James McArthur, Damien Delaney, Mile Jedinak, Jason Puncheon, Scott Dann, Yannick Bolasie, Luka Milivojevic This time we’ve opted for the starting XI that saw Andrew Johnson make a winning start to his Palace career in a 2-1 win over Preston North End at the start of the 2002/03 campaign - even if he was substituted off injured after 35 minutes.

Johnson

Can you name the missing 10 players from the 90 minutes at Deepdale? Here's a clue: one of the Eagles' scorers that day was also making his first Palace appearance.

Answers: GK: Matt Clarke DEF: Danny Butterfield DEF: Curtis Fleming DEF: Darren Powell DEF: Tony Popovic DEF: Danny Granville MID: Aki Riihilahti MID: Shaun Derry MID: Hayden Mullins ST: Dougie Freedman Guess the player from the below information:

position

Also played for

foward Answer: Mikael Forssell

Loan spells with Palace

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15:00

Everton

Sun 18