Tag: Crystal Palace

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ZAHA ON TARGET AS CRYSTAL PALACE ENDS SEASON ON A HIGH BEATING MANCHESTER UNITED

Wilfried Zaha’s first-half strike earned Crystal Palace a first home win over Manchester United since 1991 and handed his old club one final defeat of a sorry campaign.

The Red Devils, who were watched by new boss Erik Ten Hag in south London, were able to at least avoid the embarrassment of lining up in the Europa Conference League next season due to West Ham losing away to Brighton.

It meant United clinched sixth after this 1-0 defeat but they finished on 58 points – the lowest they have ever accumulated in the Premier League – in a campaign which showed how far they are behind Manchester City and Liverpool, who were involved in a dramatic final day that saw the title again lifted at the Etihad Stadium.

One of Ralf Rangnick’s final acts in charge was to hand Hannibal Mejbri a first league start and there were several other youngsters on the bench at Selhurst Park, including Robbie Savage’s son Charlie.

Patrick Vieira also shuffled his pack and teenager Jesurun Rak-Sakyi was given his full debut for Palace, who had endured a difficult night at Goodison Park on Thursday where they let slip a two-goal lead and saw their manager involved in an altercation with a fan after full time.

It was United who started the better of the two sides with a Bruno Fernandes effort blocked by Conor Gallagher before Edinson Cavani’s scuffed shot was parried away by a wrong-footed Vicente Guaita minutes later.

The visitors knew victory in front of incoming boss Ten Hag would guarantee a place in the Europa League next season and the deadlock should have been broken in the 25th minute when Cavani sent Anthony Elanga away but he dragged wide from inside the penalty area.

Palace were jolted into life after that opportunity with the hosts squandering two openings over their own soon after.

First David De Dea denied Zaha’s left-footed strike before Jeffrey Schlupp fired straight at the Spanish goalkeeper following a superb Odsonne Edouard flick.

The opener did arrive with eight minutes of the first half left and it was ex-United man Zaha who provided it but only after a big helping hand from Fernandes.

Fernandes kicked Alex Telles’ throw back towards his own goal and Zaha latched onto the loose ball, created space away from Diogo Dalot and Victor Lindelof before he rifled into the bottom corner for his 15th goal of the season.

United improved after the break and it was former Monaco attacker Mejbri who did his utmost to get the visitors back on level terms.

Fine defending by Joel Ward denied the teenager after he had raced into the area before his curling shot was tipped over by Guaita.

It was somewhat of a surprise to see Rangnick withdraw Mejbri just past the hour mark and by this point it could have been 2-0 had Conor Gallagher – on the final appearance of his season-long loan – angled his shot inside the post from 20 yards.

More Under-23s were thrown on by Rangnick with Shola Shoretire and Alejandro Garnacho introduced but the latter could not get on the end of Fernandes’ cross late on.

The final chance fell to Scott McTominay in stoppage time but he blazed wide to highlight the size of the task for Ten Hag, who officially starts on Monday while Palace conclude an excellent first season under Vieira in 12th.

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EVERTON COME BACK TO SEAL PREMIER LEAGUE STAY IN CRYSTAL PALACE WIN

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored a dramatic 85th-minute winner as Everton secured their Premier League status with a sensational comeback victory against Crystal Palace.

Richarlison’s 16th-minute free-kick clipped the bar as Everton started on the front foot.

Palace took the lead with on 21 minutes with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s header from an Eberechi Eze free-kick before Jordan Ayew bundled home their second goal 15 minutes later.

Everton needed a response and Michael Keane provided it with a thumping finish early in the second half to reduce the deficit.

Richarlison’s deflected shot hauled the Toffees level with a quarter of an hour left and, in an incredible finale, Calvert-Lewin sealed victory with a header from Demarai Gray’s free-kick.

Victory moves Everton four points clear of third-bottom Leeds United, with one match remaining.

Palace drop to 13th spot with 45 points.

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LEEDS EARN A POINT FROM GOALLESS DRAW AT CRYSTAL PALACE

Leeds moved a point further away from the relegation zone after a lacklustre goalless draw at Crystal Palace.

In a game of few chances neither side were able to find the breakthrough.

The best of the chances fell to Jean-Philippe Mateta, but he was unable to find the net or really test Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

Leeds remain in 16th position, now five points clear of 18th-placed Everton, and Palace were able to bring an end to their three-match losing streak in all competitions, but remain in 14th.

Patrick Vieira and Leeds boss Jesse Marsch had faced each other nine times while in charge of New York City and New York Red Bulls respectively and the games were often fiery, and the one at Selhurst Park also had its moments of tension just before the break.

After the early exchanges in the midfield, Palace had the first opportunity of the match with a long, direct ball over the top to Mateta, who chipped the ball over Meslier, but Diego Llorente was able to get back and clear.

Palace had another chance in the 11th minute when Nathaniel Clyne crossed the ball towards Wilfried Zaha, who was well-positioned, but his header lacked sufficient power and Meslier was able to gather.

Leeds had to scramble the ball away in the 15th minute when Conor Gallagher cleverly picked out Jordan Ayew who passed towards the back post, but Mateta was not able to get there and slot home.

Leeds had to wait until the 27th minute for their first corner of the game, which fell to Liam Cooper but his effort was straight at Vicente Guaita.

Just before half-time, there were tensions from both sides and the players squared up on a couple of occasions but it was calmed down.

Leeds had an opportunity at the start of the second half, after a lacklustre opening 45, when Stuart Dallas picked out Raphinha on the wing, and he cut in but took too long trying to take his shot which deflected wide.

With both sides unable to showcase their quality in the final third, Dallas resorted to trying his luck from distance, but it was wide of Guaita’s goal.

Shortly afterwards Zaha had another chance to play in Mateta through the centre but his pass lacked pace and Leeds were able to clear. In the 66th minute, Zaha did pick out Mateta but his attempt blazed over the bar.

Palace looked to be edging closer to breaking the deadlock when Meslier had to make an important save to deny Zaha’s curled effort.

Gallagher had a chance with less than five minutes remaining, but his effort from the centre of the box was also straight at the goalkeeper.

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MIGUEL ALMIRON STRIKE SEES NEWCASTLE PAST CRYSTAL PALACE

Miguel Almiron’s stunning strike handed Newcastle a sixth successive home Premier League win for the first time since 2004 as they smashed through the 40-point barrier.

Almiron’s 32nd-minute goal, his first for the club since February last year, was enough to claim a 1-0 win over beaten FA Cup semi-finalists Crystal Palace and lift the Magpies into 11th place, 15 points clear of the relegation zone.

However, they were forced to scrap all the way to the final whistle as Patrick Vieira’s side belatedly mounted a concerted counter-offensive in front of a crowd of 51,938 at St James’ Park, among them Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan in a classic game of two halves.

Palace’s high-energy start pinned Newcastle back deep inside their own half, in possession but with little time of space to exploit it, although it took a timely block by Marc Guehi to keep out Almiron’s shot after Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes had combined to set him up.

Saint-Maximin could not find a finish to match his mazy run after Joelinton had dispossessed Jeffrey Schlupp in midfield three minutes later, and the home side were appealing in vain for a penalty after Almiron blasted the ball against Cheikhou Kouyate’s out-stretched arm from point-blank range.

With both sides adopting solid shapes, they largely nullified each other’s threat to leave goalkeepers Martin Dubravka and Vicente Guaita virtual spectators.

But the Spaniard was picking the ball out of his net 13 minutes before the break when, after Guimaraes had collected Emil Krafth’s throw in on his chest and lifted a pass over the top of full-back Tyrick Mitchell, Almiron raced away before firing a shot across Guaita and inside the far post.

The Paraguay international was denied a second four minutes later when the keeper dived to his right to claim his dipping effort, and he also had to deal with a long-range effort from Guimaraes as the Magpies smelled blood.

Palace had a chance to level four minutes before the break after Joelinton’s error put Odsonne Edouard in on goal, but Dubravka dealt with his weak attempt comfortably.

The Magpies picked up were they had left off with Almiron seeing a shot blocked and Joelinton heading wide from Matt Targett’s free-kick inside the opening three minutes of the second half.

An out-of-sorts Wilfried Zaha redoubled his efforts to drag the visitors back into the game as they enjoyed their best spell of possession, but it was simply not happening for him.

Dan Burn had to be alert to deny substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta possession deep inside the Newcastle penalty area with 62 minutes gone, and Dubravka was relieved to see Zaha pull an attempt wide from Edouard’s pass three minutes later with Palace pressing.

Mateta and Edouard also both failed to test the keeper with headers, and Zaha with a last-gasp shot, from promising positions with the home side camped inside their own half and seemingly unable to escape, and referee Tony Harrington’s final whistle could not come soon enough for the locals.

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RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK SETS CHELSEA ON THE WAY TO SEMI-FINAL VICTORY OVER PALACE

Ruben Loftus-Cheek capped his impressive comeback with a first Chelsea goal since May 2019 as the Blues defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 to reach their third successive FA Cup final.

Loftus-Cheek’s thunderbolt finish dragged the Blues out of a sluggish performance and into a 16th FA Cup final, with Mason Mount’s angled effort sealing the deal.

England midfielder Loftus-Cheek spent the 2017-18 season on loan with the Eagles, even forcing his way to the World Cup after his campaign at Selhurst Park.

But the 26-year-old showed no split loyalty in dumping his former side out of England’s premier cup competition.

Loftus-Cheek’s first Chelsea goal since the 1-1 Europa League draw with Eintracht Frankfurt on May 9, 2019 spurred the Blues on past their clear fatigue and into yet another final.

Chelsea relinquished their Champions League crown despite beating Real Madrid 3-2 at the Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday night, only exiting the European stage 5-4 on aggregate and after extra time.

That fourth period of extra time in a punishing season took its clear toll as Chelsea struggled to hit their usual straps against Patrick Vieira’s well-organised and talented Eagles.

Just when Vieira’s men started to threaten an upset, however, up popped Loftus-Cheek with a powerful drive.

Chelsea nerves finally settled, Mount quickly latched onto Timo Werner’s inside ball and slotted home to kill the contest.

Loftus-Cheek excelled in a hybrid role mixing right wing-back and midfield in Chelsea’s 6-0 thrashing of Southampton and that vainglorious win in Madrid.

But at Wembley the Chelsea academy graduate was forced into action in defensive midfield, after Mateo Kovacic sustained an ankle problem in the early exchanges.

And this opportunist finish showcased another side of his talents, for a man who suffered a nasty torn Achilles in a friendly match at New England Revolution in Boston on May 16th, 2019.

Loftus-Cheek has only just this season started to hit his full straps again after an operation to repair that Achilles, and subsequent back concerns.

His match-turning strike here therefore certainly deserves to be seen as a major turning point in his Stamford Bridge career.

Chelsea’s midweek exploits carried a clear toll on the sluggish Blues, who could not drive the tempo or the rhythm in a staccato first half.

Thomas Tuchel’s men simply did not move the ball quickly or crisply enough, allowing Palace to shut them out through regimented defending and relatively high pressing.

Losing the influential Kovacic did not help matters, with the Croatia star unable to run off an early blow.

The Eagles even had the best chance of the half, when Cheikhou Kouyate’s volleyed drive forced Edouard Mendy into a fine save.

Joachim Andersen struck a post with the rebound but was clearly offside in any case.

Kai Havertz was booked for a blatant dive in Chelsea’s low point of the half, the Germany forward taking a tumble in expecting a challenge from Marc Guehi that never came.

Werner should have opened the second half with at least a shot on target but was muscled out by Kouyate when sent in on goal by Loftus-Cheek’s flicked pass.

Chelsea could not build on that opening however, and Kouyate nodded a corner the wrong side of the post after Wilfried Zaha had turned Andreas Christensen inside out.

The Blues had to pull something from nowhere, and Loftus-Cheek’s thunderous strike certainly appeared from precious little.

Tyrick Mitchell was robbed deep in his own half and Chelsea refused to waste that gift of possession.

Havertz’s deflected cross fell kindly for Loftus-Cheek, and he lashed home.

His exuberant celebrations in punching the air and launching himself off the ground exhibited as much relief as elation.

Mount quickly doubled Chelsea’s lead with a fine angled finish into the corner of the net to kill the tie and cement the Blues’ path to yet another FA Cup final.

Substitute striker Romelu Lukaku struck a post from point-blank range after Werner’s pass, but by that point the miss did not matter.

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PATRICK VIEIRA’S CRYSTAL PALACE BEAT FORMER CLUB ARSENAL TO DENT TOP-FOUR HOPES

Crystal Palace blew Arsenal away with a comprehensive 3-0 Premier League victory at Selhurst Park to dent the visitors’ top-four hopes and continue their own momentum under boss Patrick Vieira.

Results over the weekend had seen the Gunners leapfrogged by rivals Tottenham in the race for Champions League qualification and they were unable to respond on a night to forget for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew put the Eagles in control after 24 minutes and Wilfried Zaha’s second-half penalty added deserved gloss to the score for the hosts, who extended their unbeaten run to seven matches in all competitions and moved up to ninth in the table.

Arsenal had dropped down to fifth after Spurs’ win over Newcastle on Sunday, but they were boosted by the return of Aaron Ramsdale in south London following a minor hip injury.

Conor Gallagher’s pressing nearly forced the Gunners goalkeeper into an early mistake before Gabriel let the ball roll out for a throw, which only further lifted a home crowd on a high with a trip to Wembley on the horizon.

Palace had held Manchester City to a goalless draw three weeks ago and they made life difficult for the away side in the opening exchanges.

Chances remained few and far between initially but the deadlock was broken with the first threatening attack after 16 minutes.

A deep free-kick by Gallagher found Joachim Andersen at the far post, who directed the ball across goal for Mateta to head in from close range for his sixth goal of the campaign.

The home supporters were still revelling in Mateta’s latest kick of the corner flag celebration when they were on their feet again eight minutes later.

Andersen produced a trademark crossfield pass from the back and Ayew was able to control the ball before he bent his shot around Ramsdale and into the bottom corner with aplomb.

It was a well-worked goal but Gabriel, who had looked nervy from the outset, made an error in trying and failing to intercept Andersen’s pass while Nuno Tavares – recalled due to Kieran Tierney’s injury – lost Ayew too easily.

The same duo had been guilty of not dealing with Gallagher’s free-kick for the opener and opportunities continued to come regularly for the hosts with Mateta denied by Ramsdale after good work by Jeffrey Schlupp and Zaha.

A late Gabriel header, which was easy for Vicente Guaita, was all Arsenal had to show for a below-par first 45 minutes and Arteta had seen enough with Gabriel Martinelli introduced in place of Tavares at the break.

Granit Xhaka went to left-back as a result and, while Bukayo Saka had a hopeful penalty appeal waved away at the beginning of the half, it was Palace who remained the most dangerous.

Arsenal did improve after the hour mark and Emile Smith Rowe should have done better when the ball dropped for him but his eight-yard effort was weak and down Guaita’s throat.

Martin Odegaard had an equally fine chance with 23 minutes left after being set up by one of substitute Eddie Nketiah’s first touches and yet the Norway international could only steer his shot wide.

Palace were in a crucial period now but Zaha, who had wanted to join Arsenal in the summer of 2019, put the game to bed in the 74th minute.

After he won the ball by the halfway line, the Ivory Coast attacker dribbled past Gabriel and ran at Ben White before Odegaard clipped his ankle in the area.

Referee Paul Tierney took a couple of seconds but pointed to the penalty spot and Zaha did the rest to fire home his 11th goal of the season.

There was still time for Marc Guehi – fresh from his England debut – to make a stunning block on the line to deny Smith Rowe before Nketiah curled an effort against the woodwork but it was Palace’s night with ex-Arsenal captain Vieira damaging his old club’s hopes of Champions League qualification.

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CRYSTAL PALACE AND BURNLEY SHARE THE SPOILS AT SELHURST PARK

Draw specialists Crystal Palace and Burnley could not be separated after Luka Milivojevic’s own goal cancelled out an early opener from Jeffrey Schlupp for the hosts at Selhurst Park.

The 1-1 draw made it 12 apiece for the two sides in the Premier League this season and despite a third game unbeaten, Sean Dyche’s visitors stay in the relegation zone.

Palace, who saw captain Milivojevic slide into his own net after 40 seconds of the second half, remain 11th but with a nine-point advantage over their 18th-placed opponents following a predictable draw.

Boosted by back-to-back wins, it was Burnley who started the strongest in the capital with Aaron Lennon firing wide from a corner early on.

The home team had also been lifted by their midweek exploits after they showed a clinical touch at Watford which had recently been missing and they continued in that vein with the opener from their first attack.

Michael Olise was the creator with Dwight McNeil left chasing his shadow out on the right – not long after Erik Pieters had been fooled – before he crossed in for Schlupp to volley home from close range.

It carried on the impressive productivity of ex-Reading attacker Olise since the turn of the year with this his eighth goal involvement from his last 10 matches.

Palace, and in particular their talented youngster, were in the groove now with Olise sending a free-kick over the crossbar before full-back duo Tyrick Mitchell and Nathaniel Clyne tried their luck to no avail in quick succession.

Another effort from Olise saw a left-foot strike deflected over the crossbar following good build-up play by Wilfried Zaha and the same pair combined again before half-time with Nick Pope denying the former with a smart save.

Patrick Vieira’s side had dominated the first half but it took just 40 seconds of the second period for Burnley to level in south London.

Lennon latched onto Jay Rodriguez’s knock down and cut the ball back towards the six-yard area where Milivojevic inadvertently slid home beyond Jack Butland to make it 1-1.

Butland still had not made a save but that changed in the 56th minute when Wout Weghorst was able to head Josh Brownhill’s corner goalwards but the Palace stopper impressively tipped over.

The Clarets had the ball in the net again soon after when Weghorst fired home after Butland had denied Rodriguez but the latter was ruled to be offside.

Jean-Philippe Mateta had been introduced for the Eagles by this point and the momentum shifted again with Zaha going close on two occasions.

Olise found his team-mate for both attacks with Zaha’s right-foot curler thwarted by Pope first before his left-footed effort not long after hit the post and bounced to safety.

Palace produced a string of dangerous crosses into the Burnley area late on but the away side stood firm and held on for a point which continues their momentum and keeps them within touching distance of safety.

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WATFORD 1-4 CRYSTAL PALACE: ZAHA BRACE HELPS PALACE ENDS WINLESS RUN

Wilfired Zaha scored twice as Crystal Palace earned a first win in six Premier League matches with a 4-1 victory over Watford at Vicarage Road.

Jean-Philippe Mateta put Palace ahead on 15 minutes when his left-footed shot deflected off Kiko Femenia and flew beyond goalkeeper Ben Foster.

Watford hit back with an equaliser three minutes later through Moussa Sissoko, who met Femenia’s corner to head in his first goal for the club.

Palace restored their lead in spectacular style on 42 minutes, when Connor Gallagher expertly controlled a cross from Tyrick Mitchell before blasting into the roof of the net.

Emmanuel Dennis spurned a great opportunity to equalise before Zaha struck twice in the final five minutes.

First, Zaha controlled a Jordan Ayew cross and fired in, before he went on a solo run and brilliantly found the bottom-right corner of the net.

Palace move up to 11th on 29 points, while Watford drop to 19th with 18 points, four adrift of safety.

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HAKIM ZIYECH STRIKES LATE AS CHELSEA SNATCH WIN AT CRYSTAL PALACE

Hakim Ziyech struck an 89th-minute winner to help new world champions Chelsea earn a narrow 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.

Video assistant referee had denied the Morocco international earlier in the second half when Romelu Lukaku, who only had seven touches at Selhurst Park, was deemed to be offside.

It looked like being another frustrating afternoon for Thomas Tuchel’s side until Ziyech netted to build momentum after their Club World Cup success in Abu Dhabi with three points in the Premier League, which strengthens their stranglehold on third position.

Chelsea’s numerous cup commitments meant this was their first top-flight fixture since January 23 and any faint title hopes they had after a 2-0 win over Tottenham last month had virtually evaporated now.

The late withdrawals of Cesar Azpilicueta and Callum Hudson-Odoi weakened the visitors in south London but Palace had problems of their own with Joel Ward and Blues loanee Conor Gallagher unavailable.

It resulted in Vieira switching formation to a 4-2-3-1 with Michael Olise recalled and he nearly opened the scoring after seven minutes.

Wilfried Zaha, deployed down the middle, found Olise on the right but after he worked a yard of space up against Antonio Rudiger, he could only drag his effort wide from eight yards.

Tuchel’s side responded with Christian Pulisic blazing over a half volley before Rudiger’s spectacular effort from more than 35 yards forced a fine save by Vicente Guaita.

N’Golo Kante was the next player to be presented with an opportunity after 20 minutes following a wonderful through ball by the recalled Malang Sarr but the World Cup winner fired straight at Guaita and it was the hosts who finished the first 45 strongly.

Three corners in quick succession lifted the atmosphere inside a wet and wind-battered Selhurst Park before a big opportunity was created prior to half-time.

Zaha timed his run and was found by Olise’s perfectly-weighted pass but with the angle tight, the Ivory Coast international could only fire past the post with just Edouard Mendy to beat.

Palace were forced into a change at the break with Jack Butland introduced for first-choice goalkeeper Guaita and he was braced for action when Kai Havertz was fouled a yard outside the area but Ziyech’s subsequent effort hit the wall.

Lukaku had cut a frustrated figure in south London and only touched the ball on four occasions by the hour mark, one being kick-off.

When Ziyech produced a telling cross into the area soon after which the £97million was nowhere near, Tuchel had seen enough and made a triple change.

Despite his lack of touches, Lukaku survived the cull to remain on the pitch and it almost paid dividends instantly.

Substitute Mateo Kovacic’s first touch was a pass into Lukaku, who saw a shot saved by Butland and Ziyech was on hand to tap home the rebound.

Chelsea’s joy was cut short though by VAR with the goal ruled out because Lukaku had been offside, which sparked celebrations from the home crowd.

Tuchel’s new world champions would not be denied and it was another substitute who created the winner.

Marcos Alonso spotted Ziyech unmarked at the back post and found the former Ajax attacker who volleyed in for his seventh goal of the season.

Zaha went close again almost straight from kick-off but Palace lost for a ninth consecutive time to Chelsea and remain in 13th.

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LIVERPOOL SEE OFF PALACE TO CLOSE GAP AT TOP OF PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE

Liverpool reduced the gap at the top of the Premier League table to nine points after a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace.

Two Andrew Robertson assists helped the Reds take control, with Virgil Van Dijk and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on target in the first half.

But Patrick Vieira’s side reduced the deficit through Odsonne Edouard at the start of the second period.

In the end it took a string of saves from Alisson Becker to secure the win, with Fabinho adding a contentious penalty late on to wrap up a victory which keeps the title race alive after Manchester City dropped points on Saturday.