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

Crystal Palace √ olympique LYONNAIS sat 05 aug, 17:30 kick-off

palace √ lyon sat 05 aug | 17:30

We are now looking forward to once more having that encouragement, that vocal backing and that support which we know you always give the team

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 Editor Will Robinson Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas, Stu Ellmer Contributors Robin Johnson, Toby Jagmohan, Tommy Macarthur Photography Neil Everitt, Sebastian Frej, Pinnacle Photo Agency, Getty, Toby Jagmohan Printer Bishops Printers

contents

16 opposition briefing 23 lyon quiz 24 academy 28 palace for life 32 pre-season 35 beat brighty 36 stats & fixtures 38 premier league

palace √ lyon sat 05 aug | 17:30

PALACE WOMEN READY FOR 23/24 Welcome back to Selhurst Park for the first time this season and as with every new campaign change is in the air – and none more so than for Palace Women as they prepare for another push towards promotion to the Women’s Super League. The Eagles have a new home for the 2023/24 campaign,

playing home matches at Sutton United’s VBS Community Stadium. It signals a new era for the club, with their FA Women’s Championship season kicking off on Sunday 27th August (14:00 BST). With a capacity of more than 5,000, supporters are urged to get down to Sutton to support the side this season – and if they do so they will spot a new face in the dugout. Laura Kaminski has taken over as head coach after leaving Charlton Athletic. “This club has a fantastic fanbase – one of the best in the league,” Kaminski said on her arrival. “I’m looking forward to meeting them, and I want to give

them some fantastic football to watch week after week.” Kaminski will be supported by new Head of Women’s Football Grace Williams, who joins from Bristol City where she served as General Manager – and with whom she secured promotion to the Women’s Super League last season. “It is a perfect time to rebuild this club into the professional game while echoing Palace’s ethos and values,” she explained. “There is some work ahead, but I can’t wait to get started and meet all the players, staff and fans.” Make sure you back the girls this season in what promises to be another exciting campaign!

Fan update

On this day: 5th august

Sign up to Palace TV+ for regular Academy broadcasts and live coverage of first-team fixtures – head to cpfc.co.uk for further details.

Goals from Jobi McAnuff and James Scowcroft – on his debut – were enough to complete an opening day Palace comeback in 2006, giving the Eagles all three points at Portman Road against Ipswich Town. Leon Cort, Carl Fletcher and Mark Kennedy also made their debuts for the club in East Anglia.

What’s inside Find out… the lowdown on our French opposition (page 16) and hear from the Palace forward living the dream on the very biggest stage (page 26). briefing

manager

I’d like to start by welcoming our opponents today, Olympique Lyonnais, for this important friendly. I know they will provide us with a very stern test because we are fully aware of the quality – as consistent European football participants – that they possess.

fter an interesting and successful trip to the United States, where we played two useful matches in our preparation for the coming season, it’s good to now be back at Selhurst Park for the first time this season. In the opening games before our trip, we had the chance to look at a lot of the younger players in the squad and give them the chance to play some football. It was when we got to the final game in Detroit that we were able to really unleash what we consider to be the nucleus of our first-team squad. From a personal viewpoint, I’m very happy to be back at the club after an enjoyable end to last season. I was excited by the type of football the team was able to play during that last 10 games, and it gives me great optimism that – if we can keep this squad together, and hopefully make the additions I know Dougie Freedman and Steve Parish are working hard to provide – we have every reason to think the new season will be every bit as successful.

Obviously, we go into the new season without one player who I know has been an incredible favourite of the fans during the 13 years he has been in our first-team: Wilfried Zaha. We, the coaching staff, were particularly sad to see

I’m very happy to be back at the club after an enjoyable end to last season. I was excited by the type of football the team was able to play him go, even though it’s important to understand that he felt that this was the right time for him to make the move. All we can do now is to make sure we fill the big boots he has taken with him to Turkey, and I am sure that you, the supporters, like everyone at the club, will be wishing manager

him well and hoping that he can do for Galatasaray what he did for us for so many years. In terms of new signings, at the time of writing, the one player who has been brought in – who I think has made an immediate impact – is Jefferson Lerma. He is an experienced player with a good pedigree in the Premier League, and he has been a key figure for Bournemouth over the last five seasons. I am convinced that he will be able to do the same job for us at Crystal Palace, and that he will be a player you will welcome to the club and be very happy to watch play during the season ahead. Finally, I’d like to end these notes with a message to our supporters, who were so important in helping us finish last season so well. We are now looking forward to once more having that encouragement, that vocal backing and that support which we know you always give the team. You can rest assured that we, in our turn, will be working very hard to provide you with a team that you can be proud of, and a team that will be easy to get behind and cheer on

chairman

Welcome to the supporters, players, staff and directors of Olympique Lyonnais to Selhurst Park today, and to each and every Crystal Palace supporter here for this match which represents the culmination of our pre-season.

t’s a really exacting game to bring to Selhurst – Lyon are a team with a fantastic history including seven Ligue 1 titles and, like us, have some wonderfully talented and exciting players. I’m expecting a cracking final game and a real test for both teams. The squad and staff landed back from an excellent trip to the USA on Tuesday morning, following two competitive matches with Millonarios and Sevilla. The match in Detroit in front of more than 21,000 supporters was a highlight (as was Eberechi’s wonder goal!), but we really were welcomed by so many supporters – old and new – everywhere we went. The squad were also invited to spend time with the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Lions – hopefully you’ve seen clips of both on Palace TV – which were great experiences for the players, and it shows the impressive growth of our club and of course the Premier League in the USA that such popular teams would partner with us in this way.

I would like to welcome Jefferson Lerma to the club for his first taste of Selhurst Park in red and blue. He’s hit the ground running since joining, and I know

it’s a really exacting game to bring to Selhurst – lyon are a team with a fantastic history. I’m expecting a cracking final game and a real test for both teams

you’ll get behind him as you always do with new players. We are working extremely hard to get another player or two over the line in the coming weeks. chairman

Elsewhere, there has been so much going on – including a positive trip for our Under21s to the USA where they competed well in the MLS Next Pro tournament – and we also welcome Chris Francis to the development squad. Our Women’s team have been extremely busy. We’ve welcomed new head coach Laura, a new Head of Women’s Football in Grace, and several new players: Shanade, Lia and Hayley. We have a new long-term home at Sutton United, and I urge you to come and support the team in their opening Women’s Championship match on 27th August. In just seven days’ time, Roy’s team face Sheffield United on the opening match of our 11th consecutive season in the top-flight. Today’s fixture will be excellent preparation for that, against a quality team that will no doubt have high hopes for their season ahead. Thank you for joining us today, it’s great to be back. Up the Palace

through the lens

THROUGH THE LENS

EBERE EZE V SEVILLA

Worth a try? Probably. Discover the refreshing, crisp and perfectly balanced taste of Carlsberg Danish Pilsner.

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

opposition

lyon A turbulent 2022/23 campaign has given way to quiet optimism for former French champions Lyon, who are looking for a swift return to European football this season.

match preview Home

away

recent matches Opposition

last season

After replacing manager Peter Bosz with legendary French coach Laurent Blanc in October, the club arrested a mid-season slump and finished seventh, just outside the Europa Conference League places – but a run to the semi-finals of the Coupe de France kept hopes for silverware alive deep into the run-in. Former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette was the inspiration, the highlight coming in a remarkable ninegoal thriller against Montpellier. Trailing 4-1 in the second-half, Lyon hit back with Lacazette completing his hattrick to equalise with not long left – before scoring the winner, his fourth and Lyon’s fifth, in the 10th minute of stoppage time. After losing talented young rightback Malo Gusto to Chelsea, as well as seeing experienced servants like Houssem Aouar, Moussa Dembélé and Jérôme Boateng depart on free transfers, they will be hoping their new additions can hit the ground running when the season begins. They welcome Paris Saint-Germain to Parc Olympique Lyonnais on the fourth week of the 2023/24 season, where Blanc will hope to get one over his former employers – and Lyon will hope for a repeat of last season’s result against the overwhelming favourites for the title.

most recent = bottom

score

h/a

position

3-1

7th

1-2

1-0

Position

7th

Points

Top scorer

Alexandre Lacazette (27)

Most assists

Bradley Barcola (8)

opposition

Last 5 √ English opposition

most recent = bottom

oppo

fixture

√ manchester city

19 September 2018

27 November 2018

Rayan Cherki

15 August 2020

√ West Ham United

The teenage attacker has been attracting attention from all over Europe since making his debut in the Champions League aged just 16 – one to watch.

7 April 2022

14 April 2022

1-0

Recent clash

Sat 29 Jul Estadio de Balaídos

pre-season

starting xi

I. Villar

A. Lopes

03 O. Mingueza

S. Kumbedi 20

13 12

C. Dominguez

J. Aidoo

08 F. Béltran

S. Diomandé 02 12

23 L. de la Torre J. Larsen

F. Cervi

I. Aspas

J. Bamba

C. Mata 22 N. Tagliafico 03 C. Tolisso 08

J. Lepenant 24 Jeffinho 47 11

M. El Arouch 84 A. Sarr 07

10 07

M. Baeza W. Swedberg c. pÉrez k. vÁzquez m. sÁnchez r. tapia u. nÚñez

subs 16 19 07 20 02 14 04

15 08

22 H. Sotelo 18

A. LacazettE

opposition

10 subs

C. Lukeba A. Laaziri M. Caqueret T. Kadewere B. Barcola S. Alvero R. Cherki

04 06 11 26 80 18

lyon Great games, famous goals and legendary players – all part of the Olympique Lyonnais story. Get your full briefing on today's opponents before kick-off...

What’s the story? -

Manager Laurent Blanc World Cup winner Laurent Blanc has extensive knowledge of English football, becoming a surprise signing for Manchester United and replacing Jaap Stam in 2001 at 36-years-old. It brought to an end a stellar career, taking in Napoli, Barcelona and Inter Milan – as well as 97 international appearances. He managed France and Paris Saint-Germain before joining Lyon, winning three league titles in the process.

Initially formed as ‘Racing Club de Lyon’, Olympique Lyonnais were officially founded in 1950 under Dr Albert Trillat, and instantly began to chase success. A first Coupe de France in 1964 and sporadic silverware followed, but only in the early 2000s did they begin to dominate the French game. Overtaking Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain as the pre-eminent force in French football saw them become the richest club in the country, and their strategy of developing young players to be sold on was bearing fruit. Michael Essien, Juninho, Eric Abidal and Karim Benzema all came and went, each clutching a handful of medals from their time at the club.

opposition

From 2002 onwards, they won seven titles back-to-back, and began to make an impact at European level. Three quarter-final near misses and a semi-final in 2010 were the closest they came to glory on the continental stage. After their hold on the league title was relinquished, a fallow decade followed. The highlight came in the COVID-disrupted 2019/20 season, when they returned to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in a decade, beating Juventus and Manchester City before losing out to Bayern Munich. Their poor league finish the same season meant it would be their last foray into European competition for some time – a 7th place finish meant they failed to qualify for Europe for the first time in 24 years.

The greatest Manager -

Boot in both camps

Joachim Andersen

Former Saint-Etienne midfielder Jacques Santini was an accomplished player – he reached the European Cup final in 1976. As a coach he showed similar quality, transforming Lyon into French giants first as technical director from 1997-2000, and then as manager from 2000-2002. He finished his tenure by winning Lyon their first of seven consecutive league titles, before joining the national team setup.

The greatest player -

Andersen spent two years at Lyon between 2019 and 2021, although the second was spent on loan at Fulham. After coming through the youth ranks in the Netherlands, he headed to Sampdoria to experience old-fashioned Italian defending before moving to France in what was Lyon’s record transfer. Andersen made 35 appearances for the club, scoring twice.

It’s certainly a tricky choice, but for what he achieved both at Lyon and in his wider career it has to be Karim Benzema. Born in Lyon and coming through the academy, he scored 66 times in 148 games for the club, winning four league titles. After moving to Real Madrid, he won four more league titles, five Champions League trophies and scored a further 354 goals. Not too shabby.

The greatest game: Real Madrid 1-1 Lyon, 10 March 2010 After a narrow 1-0 win at home, Lyon travelled to the Bernabeu still as outsiders for a tricky Champions League encounter. Real Madrid – with Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and co. – would not go quietly, and duly took the lead after just six minutes. Pushing for a second to extinguish Lyon’s chances, they left themselves open at the back and allowed Miralem Pjanic space to score an unlikely equaliser. The visitors held on for a victory on aggregate and a place in the last eight – they would go on to make the semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history. opposition

02 04 Sinaly Diomandé

Castello Lukeba

POS DEFENDER

NAT COTE D’IVOIRE

NAT FRANCE

12 05 Anthony Lopes

Dejan Lovren

POS GOALKEEPER

POS DEFENDER

NAT PORTUGAL

NAT BRAZIL

NAT CROATIA

456 apps 14 caps

147 clean sheets

Age

Height

1.84m

Joined

1st June 2012

Debut

31st October 2012

After joining the club as a nine-year-old, Lopes rose through the Academy to make the No. 1 spot his own and has played more than 450 games for his hometown club. Born to Portuguese parents, he has made 14 international appearances and was part of the 2016 European Championships winning squad.

opposition

player profile

Henrique

career history:

Academy

Achraf Laaziri

Saël Kumbedi

POS DEFENDER

NAT MOROCCO

NAT FRANCE

22 29 Mamadou Sarr

Nicolás Tagliafico

POS DEFENDER

NAT ANGOLA

NAT FRANCE

NAT ARGENTINA

player profile

Clinton Mata

Age

Height

1.72m

Joined

23rd July 2022

Debut

5th August 2022 v AC Ajaccio

career history:

Banfield, Real Murcia (loan), Independiente, Ajax

assists

38 apps 49 caps

A key cog in Argentina’s 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup winning sides, left-back Tagliafico made his name as a three-time back-to-back title winner at Ajax under Erik ten Hag. He quickly became a key-part of Lyon’s back-four after his move last summer, scoring his first goal in just his second game for the club.

opposition

06 24

Johann Lepenant

POS MIDFIELDER

NAT FRANCE

Jeff Reine-Adélaïde

Mohamed El Arouch

Corentin Tolisso

POS MIDFIELDER

NAT FRANCE

player profile

Maxence Caqueret

Age

Height

1.81m

Joined

1st July 2022

Debut

5th August 2022 v AC Ajaccio

career history: Lyon, Bayern Munich

30 goals

194 apps 28 caps

After graduating from Lyon’s academy, Tolisso cemented a place in the national setup and earned a World Cup winner's medal in 2018. Five seasons in Bavaria saw him earn five back-to-back titles with Bayern, as well as a Champions League title in 2020 as he came off the substitutes' bench in the final against Paris Saint-Germain.

opposition

Amin Sarr

Tino Kadewere

POS FORWARD

NAT SWEDEN

NAT ZIMBABWE

18 47 Alexandre Lacazette

Jeffinho

POS FORWARD

NAT FRANCE

NAT BRAZIL

314 apps 16 caps

160

Age

Height

1.75m

Joined

9th June 2022

goals

Debut

5th August 2022 v AC Ajaccio

Lacazette rose to stardom through Lyon’s Academy, climbing his way up the all-time scorers list before departing for

player profile

Rayan Cherki

career history:

Lyon, Arsenal

Arsenal and the Premier League. After five seasons and 71 goals at the Emirates he returned to his boyhood club, notching 31 goals in his comeback season, behind only Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.

opposition

lyon quiz Think you know today’s visitors? Test yourself with our fiendish quiz on today’s visitors – you may find some of the answers in today’s programme…

How many people can fit into Lyon’s home ground?

What is Lyon’s nickname – and what does it mean?

Who are Lyon’s biggest rivals?

Who is Lyon’s current all-time highest scorer?

Which Brazilian genius became known for his magical free-kicks at the club?

Which English side did Lyon beat en route to the 2020 Champions League semi-finals?

Which current Crystal Palace player also played for Lyon?

How many back-to-back league titles did Lyon win in the 2000s?

1) 59,186 2) Les Gones (The Kids) 3) Saint-Étienne 4) Alexandre Lacazette (160 goals) 5) Juninho 6) Manchester City 7) Joachim Andersen 8) Seven lyon quiz

academy

academy A NEW LOOK LEAGUE With the Premier League just a week away, all eyes are focused on the world’s premier competition – but for the next generation, big changes are afoot for 2023/24. It sounds complicated (to be honest, it is) but we will try to explain it as simply as possible below…

key points Premier League 2 will adopt a Swiss-style format, a marked change from the previous two-tier league system Promotion and relegation across two divisions is removed All 26 Category One Academies will compete in a single league Teams will be seeded based on multi-year performance Fixtures are drawn from five pots based on seeding A minimum of 20 games will be played against all sides in the same pot and some in other pots The top 16 sides at the end of the initial 20-game run will qualify for the play-off positions

So what does this all mean in practise? Under this new system, all 26 Category One Academies will field an Under-21s side in the same league next season, eliminating promotion and relegation between the existing two-tier system. During the Premier League Annual General Meeting, shareholders voted in favour of the change to make a shift away from the format which has existed since 2015/16.

This model is inspired by the tournament structure used in chess and a very similar model will also be employed in the UEFA Champions League starting from 2024/25. The 26 teams will be grouped into five pots based on their performance in the competition over the past three years. This means that each team will play a minimum of 20 matches in the regular season – six fewer than the 26 matches Palace faced in academy

Premier League 2 Division 1 last season. Teams will face each club in their respective pot, as well as four or five teams from all other pots, either at home or away. Following these matches, the combined table will determine the play-off positions, with the top 16 teams advancing to the knockout stage to compete for the overall title. Simple enough, isn’t it?

cpfc women As Crystal Palace Women prepare to return to action for the 2023/24 campaign, one member of the squad has been living out a childhood dream on the other side of the world. Before their World Cup knockout clash (8th August), history-maker Paige Bailey-Gayle talks travelling down under...

world cup dream

paige bailey-gayle Age

Joined

2022

Position

Forward

2022/23 apps

Career highlights

Winning the Super League title with Arsenal at just 18-years-old

cpfc women

When Paige Bailey-Gayle began a call to her family group chat, she had some incredible news to share: she was heading to the World Cup with Jamaica. She is Palace Women’s first representative on the sport’s biggest stage, and has accompanied her compatriots to take on Panama, France and Brazil in Australia and New Zealand – and reach the knockout stages for the very first time. “I was on a camp before, where we were training,” she remembers of her selection. “We got an email letting us know about the call-ups. “I was in an airport and I had no service, so I said to one of the girls: ‘Can you message me if I’m in the squad?’ I came off the plane at Atlanta and she messaged saying: ‘You’re in the squad!’ “I was just sat there by myself. As soon as I got Wi-Fi I called my mum and sister on a group call. I was like: ‘Mum, I’m going to the World Cup!’” Her selection brought her family immense pride – and started a rush to get kitted out for the tournament. “I’m just proud and honoured,” Bailey-Gayle says. “I’m in touch with my culture and my roots and my family are really proud.

“They are buzzing – they are all going to buy a Jamaica top now, talking about which one they are going to get. They are proud, and that’s the main thing.” Bailey-Gayle has noticed the rise in support for women’s football, no more so than with Palace up and down the country. “It has been ups and downs but I’m happy to be in a place where I am because it has put me in a position to get to a major tournament,” she explains. “Wherever we go in the country the fans come. We always feel the love, especially when they bring their 20,000 flags! It’s a big feeling to have that support. It’s what you do football for, you don’t just play for yourself now. To know you’ve got people coming up that want to be you and want to play football, and having that interaction that can change their days or inspire them. “It means a lot when they say they have been watching you, or that you are their favourite player.

Wherever we go in the country the fans come. We always feel the love, especially when they bring their 20,000 flags! It’s a big feeling to have that support. It’s what you do football for, you don’t just play for yourself now cpfc women

It’s mad, and it’s special. Especially girls saying they play football and they want to play for Palace, it makes it that bit more special.” This month, her focus has been on living out her World Cup fantasy. “For such a small island, not just in football but in general, the competition is a lot,” BaileyGayle says. “You have people like Usain Bolt. For such a small island, to accomplish and produce people [Jamaica] have is mad. “As I have got older in my career, I have realised that there are more doors I can unlock. In the last couple of years international football has become more important. Now, stepping into senior international football, the dream is a reality.”

palace for life

enjoy the beautiful game FREE ADULT FOOTBALL AT PALACE ACADEMY EVERY THURSDAy Our new free-of-charge adult football hub is now held at the Crystal Palace Academy dome every Thursday evening from 20:15 to 21:30 BST. Palace for Life Foundation run three weekly football sessions at the state-of-theart facility: Men’s Walking Football, Women’s Walking Football and Women’s Recreational football. The walking football sessions are aimed at, but not limited to, those aged 30+, and recreational football is for those aged 18+. All

sessions are designed so that all abilities can participate whether you have never played before, currently play, or have found it more challenging to play due to injury or health. Players join the sessions for many reasons, such as to meet people, pre-diabetic diagnosis, to improve overall fitness and to improve their mental health conditions amongst many other reasons. If you’re taking part in the Marathon March this year (14th October), it’s also a great way to train, meet fellow Palace fans and you can even fundraise as a team!

WALKING FOOTBALL (MEN & WOMEN) The walking version of the beautiful game is designed to help maintain an active lifestyle in a social and fun atmosphere. It’s a non-contact version of the sport which is usually played on five- or six-a-side pitches. We offer walking football for both men and women, but the sessions are delivered separately. Both teams have the opportunity to organise competitive fixtures and often play in tournaments, but this is just optional for players who might want to play more competitive football.

palace for life

RECREATIONAL FOOTBALL (WOMEN’S) Women’s recreational football is a slightly faster-paced version of the game, open to women aged 18+ who want to get more active and play more football in a safe and comfortable environment. WHEN? Every Thursday from 20:15 to 21:30 BST.

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

WHERE? You’ll play in the state-of-the-art Crystal Palace Academy indoor dome. Parking is available. CPFC Academy Copers Cope Road Beckenham BR3 1NZ GOT A QUESTION? Get in touch with us at community@palaceforife.org palace for life

It’s been a packed pre-season schedule so far both at home and abroad. With the Premier League fast approaching, check out our rundown of the Eagles’ preparations so far…

pre-season

15 July palace 2 brØndby 2 Returning internationals took to the field to face Danish giants Brøndby at the Academy ground – and, aptly, it was an Academy graduate that opened the scoring. Jes Rak-Sakyi’s sharp finish saw Palace lead early on, and despite conceding two second-half goals it finished all square thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s close-range finish.

19 July crawley 0 Palace 4 -

11 July Barnet 1 Palace 0 A youthful Palace side – still missing most senior players after international duty – got the 2023/24 season underway in north London, but defeat did not take away from a valuable opportunity for several promising Academy prospects. Jake O’Brien, Kaden Rodney, Killian Phillips and Scott Banks started the match, with Kofi Balmer, Sean Grehan, David Ozoh, Jack WellsMorrison and John-Kymani Gordon also featuring.

On a beautiful warm night at Broadfield, Palace brought the style. Ebere Eze was the star – as he so often is – and led the Eagles to a barnstorming first-half display, with Palace scoring four times in the first 26 minutes. Mateta’s brace got things started with Eze providing both assists, first from a corner and later winning the ball back high up the field. Then the England man added one of his own, jinking inside the defender and smashing into the top corner. Naouirou Ahamada completed the rout, racing onto Eze’s through ball to poke home a fourth.

22 July palace 2 watford 1 As is so often the case during a British summer, the sunshine did pre-season

not last. Driving rain and howling winds caused a scrappy game at the training ground. Palace were unable to get into their usual stride, and regular cynical challenges made it a stop-start affair. Palace made progress nonetheless, with Odsonne Edouard opening the scoring with a neat finish after a coordinated high press won the ball back close to goal; Jordan Ayew was key in defending from the front once again. After Watford’s long-range equaliser, Edouard notched his second from the edge of the penalty area, securing another pre-season victory before travelling to the United States.

31 July palace 1 sevilla 1 -

27 July palace 1 millonarios 2 -

Detroit, Michigan; the Motor City. At the home of the Detroit Tigers, the Eagles’ United States tour came to an end against Europa League winners Sevilla. Jesus Navas and co. won their seventh European title in Budapest against Jose Mourinho’s Roma, and their quality was on display again at Comerica Park. Ivan Rakitic – former Barcelona Champions League winner and World Cup finalist with Croatia – scored the opener, a fine half-volley on the stroke of half-time that

Chicago, Illinois – some setting for the first game of Palace’s American pre-season tour. Serial winners Millonarios were in opposition, fresh from their 16th title, and a fiery encounter unfolded in front of a vibrant and noisy atmosphere. Jake O’Brien grasped his opportunity with both hands, coming on as a second-half substitute and standing tall to power home a header into the bottom corner, giving Palace the lead. It wasn’t to last, however, and Millonarios’ equaliser meant both teams were pushing for a winner late on. With sudden-death penalties beckoning, late drama saw the Colombian side snatch victory as Jeff Schlupp was penalised for handball; Leonardo Castro stepped up and fired home the crucial goal from the spot. pre-season

would have been the highlight of any regular pre-season friendly. Not to be upstaged, however, Ebere Eze went one better. Picking up the ball more than 40-yards out, he danced around one defender and then the next, somehow forcing his way into the Sevilla penalty area before tucking the ball between the legs of the goalkeeper. It finished all-square, meaning a sudden death penalty shoot-out. After Rakitic converted his opening penalty, Joachim Andersen crashed an effort off the underside of the bar and Sevilla claimed victory – but a positive performance meant a satisfactory end to a jam-packed pre-season tour.

World Cup dreams, figuring out the French and a look back at years gone by. Catch up on what you might have missed in this edition, prep for what’s coming up next and pit your wits against Brighty below.

did you spot?

quote of the week “As soon as I got Wi-Fi I called my mum and sister on a group call. I was like: ‘Mum, I’m going to the World Cup! I’m just proud and honoured. I’m in touch with my culture and my roots and my family are really proud. They are buzzing – they are all going to buy a Jamaica top now, talking about which one they are going to get!” The elephant on Page 65. Find out why this Paigeparaded Bailey-Gayle 26) Park in the one around(page Selhurst 1990s.

Our fiendish Lyon quiz on page 23.

Jake Davey AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

1-0

Archie longley

Jayden Clayton

AGE:

SCORE PREDICTION:

3-1

Want to feature as a mascot? Email: liam.connery@cpfc.co.uk

round-up

SCORE PREDICTION:

1-1

next up: sheff utd The Premier League season gets underway at Bramall Lane on Saturday, 12th August (15:00 BST) as the Eagles take on newly-promoted Sheffield United.

Best memory: Ebere Eze’s continued destruction of the Blades in 2020/21, as he followed up his wonderful Selhurst solo strike with another mazy run and finish in the Steel City to earn Palace all three points on the road.

Travel: Sheffield Train Station is a 15-minute walk from Bramall Lane – there is no car parking at the stadium for away fans. Pre-match: A cluster of away-friendly pubs can be found near Bramall Lane, with The Howard, The Globe, The Sheffield Tap and the Rutland Arms all welcoming travelling fans in the past.

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

Brighty

You

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

round-up

Sam Johnstone

Joel Ward

Tyrick Mitchell

James Tomkins

Marc Guéhi

22/23 FIXTURES & RESULTS

palace Career Appearances

335 103

131

palace Career goals

ALL-TIME

may

april

march

february

jan

december

november

october

september

AUGust

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

Date

Opposition

Sat 12

Sheffield United