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Tag: Crystal Palace

  • EPL: Mateta hat-trick grabs Palace draw with Bournemouth

    EPL: Mateta hat-trick grabs Palace draw with Bournemouth

    Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a hat-trick, including a stoppage-time penalty, as Crystal Palace fought back from two goals down to draw with Bournemouth in a six-goal thriller at Selhurst Park.

    In an incredible finish, Mateta completed his treble in the 97th minute after Marc Guehi had been wrestled to the ground by Bournemouth’s Bafode Diakite as a left-wing corner was being taken.

    There was still time for further drama but Mateta, who has now scored seven goals for the Eagles this season, blazed a potentially match-winning chance over the bar in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

    Teenage striker Eli Kroupi, 19, had earlier scored twice on his first Premier League start as Bournemouth were on course for a victory that would have taken them temporarily top of the table.

    Mateta scored twice in a five-minute spell to make it 2-2, before Ryan Christie restored Bournemouth’s lead in the 89th minute, but it was not enough for the victory.

    Read Also: EPL: Mateta strikes late as Palace deny Chelsea victory

    It continued a great spell in Mateta’s career as he made his France debut on 10 October against Azerbaijan and then scored his first international goal three days later in a 2-2 draw with Iceland.

    Palace are now eighth in the Premier League, while Bournemouth are fourth.

    The Cherries would have moved top with the three points, though they would have then been ousted if Arsenal, who began the day top, avoided defeat in their late game at Fulham.

    BBC

  • Grealish strikes late as Everton end Crystal Palace’s 19-match unbeaten run

    Grealish strikes late as Everton end Crystal Palace’s 19-match unbeaten run

    Jack Grealish scored a stunning 93rd-minute winner as Everton came from behind to hand Crystal Palace their first defeat in 19 matches across all competitions.

    Daniel Muñoz had earlier given in-form Palace the lead in the 37th minute, finishing smartly from Ismaila Sarr’s pass after Tyrick Mitchell had struck the post.

    The goal looked set to secure a third consecutive Premier League victory for Palace and extend their remarkable unbeaten run.

    Read Also: Villa maintain momentum with hard-fought 2–1 win over Burnley

    Everton, however, improved after the break following the introduction of Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry.

    Their persistence paid off in the 76th minute when Iliman Ndiaye converted from the penalty spot after Maxence Lacroix fouled substitute Tim Iroegbunam.

    With the game seemingly destined for a draw, Grealish—on loan from Manchester City—pounced in stoppage time, firing home after Dean Henderson parried Beto’s close-range header.

    The dramatic 2-1 victory ended Palace’s club-record unbeaten streak, their first loss since April 16.

  • EPL: Palace beat West Ham as pressure mounts on Potter

    EPL: Palace beat West Ham as pressure mounts on Potter

    Crystal Palace beat West Ham to pile the pressure on Hammers boss Graham Potter amid fan protests before and during the match at London Stadium.

    Jean-Philippe Mateta pounced to nod in the rebound after goalkeeper Alphonse Areola had pushed Marc Guehi’s header on to the crossbar as the visitors took a 37th-minute lead.

    Jarrod Bowen equalised early in the second half when he pulled away from his marker to head into the net following El Hadji Malick Diouf’s corner.

    The home fans responded as their side enjoyed a bright spell, but Lucas Paqueta had an effort cleared off the line by Chris Richards, with Kyle Walker-Peters also unable to convert two opportunities.

    West Ham’s failure to grab a second goal proved costly as Tyrick Mitchell was afforded too much space in the penalty area and controlled a superb volley into the net for what proved to be the winner.

    Earlier on Saturday, about 3,000 Hammers fans protested before the match, with angry supporters holding flags and banners and chanting about chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.

    The unhappiness continued during the game as there were more “sack the board” chants from the home supporters when the match was goalless, with the hosts booed off at half-time when they were trailing and again at the final whistle.

    West Ham’s miserable day continued as Palace fans chanted “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at Potter, with some of the home supporters joining in.

    Potter has now only won six of his 23 league games and picked up 23 points since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January. The Spaniard also collected 23 points from his spell at the London Stadium, but did so in three fewer games.

  • Crystal Palace hit out at Cas and Uefa after losing Europa League appeal

    Crystal Palace hit out at Cas and Uefa after losing Europa League appeal

    Crystal Palace have said “sporting merit is rendered meaningless” after losing their appeal against demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League.

    After winning the FA Cup last season, Palace qualified for Europe’s secondary competition but were punished by Uefa for breaching multi-club ownership rules.

    The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) sided with Europe’s governing body on Monday.

    In a strongly worded statement, Palace said it was ” almost impossible to receive a fair hearing.”

    “The decision by Uefa and followed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport shows that sporting merit is rendered meaningless,” Palace said.

    Read Also: Europa League: UEFA postpones decision on Crystal Palace

    “It appears that certain clubs, organisations and individuals have a unique privilege and power.

    “This growing and unhealthy influence has shattered the hopes and dreams of Crystal Palace supporters, and does not bode well for aspirational teams all over Europe competing to progress when rules and sanctions are unevenly applied in the most flagrant way.”

    Palace added they will “continue to take legal advice on the next steps” as they prepare to compete in the Conference League.

  • Europa League : Palace lose appeal over demotion at CAS

    Europa League : Palace lose appeal over demotion at CAS

    Crystal Palace’s appeal against UEFA’s decision to drop them from the Europa League to the third-tier Conference League was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Monday.

    UEFA demoted Palace while allowing Olympique Lyonnais to play in the Europa League as, at the time of assessment on March 1, the Eagle Football Group were majority owners of Lyon while their chairman John Textor owned a controlling stake in Palace.

    Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, will replace Palace in the Europa League.

    “After considering the evidence, the panel found that John Textor, founder of Eagle Football Holdings, had shares in CPFC and OL and was a board member with decisive influence over both clubs at the time of UEFA’s assessment date,” the CAS said in a statement.

    “The panel also dismissed the argument by CPFC that they received unfair treatment in comparison to Nottingham Forest and OL.”

    Palace did not respond to a request for comment. Club chairman Steve Parish told reporters on Sunday that if Palace lost the appeal, they would “have to look if there’s any step after that.”

    Read Also: Fashola advocates new order for sports at  Alao’s book launch

    The club, who qualified for the Europa League as FA Cup winners, appealed against UEFA’s decision last month.

    The appeal came days before New York Jets co-owner Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson completed the purchase of Eagle Football Holdings’ stake in Palace.

    Textor has also resigned from Lyon’s board of directors with Michele Kang appointed chairwoman and president.

    As both Lyon and Palace had qualified for the Europa League, the French club were allowed to keep their place because they had finished higher in their respective league. Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1 while Palace were 12th in the Premier League.

    “Olympique Lyonnais welcomes today’s decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirming its participation in the Europa League,” Lyon said in a statement.

    Palace, who won the Community Shield on Sunday beating Liverpool in a penalty shootout, are set to play in the Conference League’s qualifying playoff round later this month.

  • Crystal  Palace humble new-look Liverpool in Community Shield

    Crystal  Palace humble new-look Liverpool in Community Shield

    Crystal Palace beat Premier League champions Liverpool 3-2 on penalties to win the Community Shield after an entertaining 2-2 draw at Wembley, with keeper Dean Henderson reprising his penalty-saving heroics from their FA Cup final triumph.

    Substitute Justin Devenny scored the winning spot kick to give Palace the spoils, after Mohamed Salah skied the Reds’ first penalty and Henderson then saved efforts from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott.

    “I love it, I love the big moments, I love being in that pressure moment,” Henderson – who saved an Omar Marmoush penalty as Palace won their first major trophy against Manchester City in May – told ITV.

    New recruit Hugo Ekitike had put Liverpool ahead inside four minutes after he and record signing Florian Wirtz combined beautifully before the Frenchman produced a superb finish.

    Read Also: PFAN urges Lagos, NFF to give Rufai befitting burial

    But Palace deservedly levelled in the 17th minute, Jean-Philippe Mateta sending Alisson the wrong way from the penalty spot after Virgil van Dijk brought down Ismaila Sarr.

    Close-season signing Jeremie Frimpong restored the Reds’ lead, as Liverpool fans marked the death of Portugal forward Diogo Jota with 20 minutes on the clock in honour of his shirt number, sending an attempted cross looping in off the post.

    The Eagles posed a threat on the counter and kept themselves in the game, although Ekitike spurned two decent chances to extend Liverpool’s lead in the early stages of the second half.

    Palace’s England forward Eberechi Eze then tested Alisson with a low shot before the Londoners equalised again with 13 minutes to play, Sarr slotting past the onrushing Alisson.

    Palace nearly grabbed a winner at the end, with Mac Allister perhaps fortunate to have a VAR referral for handball in the box go his way before Devenny nearly scored in added time, as the traditional season curtain-raiser went to penalties.

    Devenny got the winner in the shootout with an emphatic penalty to give Palace a third victory at Wembley in a row.

  • WEMBLEY CALLING

    WEMBLEY CALLING

    New season begins as Crystal Palace battle Liverpool for Community Shield

    Liverpool coach Arne Slot said on Friday his side is relishing the challenge of facing Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield, as the Premier League champions aim to begin the new season with silverware and prepare for their title defence.

    Liverpool, who won the Premier League last season to secure a record-equalling 20th English title, face FA Cup winners Palace at Wembley tomorrow.

    Liverpool are eyeing a 17th  Community Shield title, with their latest coming in 2022.

    “It’s nice if you can start the season by winning something. We have a chance at the beginning of the season. We face a difficult Crystal Palace side. They have shown how hard it is to win a one-off game with them,” Slot told reporters.

    “Counter-attacks, set-pieces, long-balls to (Palace striker Jean-Philippe) Mateta and individual quality of their forwards. (Athletic) Bilbao, AC Milan and Yokohama already gave us good competition (in pre-season).

    “Palace hit the ground running again, it is still the same team. A good challenge for us to start the season.”

    Liverpool’s last trip to Wembley ended in a surprise 2-1 League Cup final loss against Newcastle United in March, but Slot was not dwelling on that.

    “Not looking back because it’s a different system Newcastle played,” the Dutchman said.

    “But the way they played might be similar to how Palace play. They used every free kick to get the ball in our box. Palace are a threat at set-pieces. There are maybe a few overlaps between the two sides.

    “On Sunday, one goal will be worth a lot.”

    Read Also: Eberechi Eze: Crystal palace talisman tipped to solve Arsenal’s left-wing problem

    Liverpool have signed Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, among others, in the transfer window so far, while Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez has been linked with a move to Saudi side Al-Hilal.

    Slot was asked about Nunez’s future and if Liverpool will pursue Newcastle striker Alexander Isak as the 26-year-old’s replacement.

    British media reported that Liverpool were interested in signing the Isak, who has three years left on his Newcastle contract.

    Isak bagged 23 Premier League goals last campaign, only behind Liverpool talisman and Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah (29).

    “You never talk about players that are not yours so I can talk to you about Hugo, who we have signed recently and has done really well until now,” Slot said.

    “We are very happy with the squad we are having and there is every reason to be happy because we won the league last season. Ok, players left but we have brought players in as well and the youngsters doing well.

    “At this moment in time, Darwin might leave but things are not signed yet so we need to wait a few days until that maybe is completely done but there is a chance he could leave.”

  • Palace appeal to CAS against Europa League demotion

    Palace appeal to CAS against Europa League demotion

    Premier League club Crystal Palace have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against UEFA’s decision to remove them from the Europa League over alleged breaches of multi-club ownership regulations, the CAS said.

    Palace were demoted to the Conference League, the third-tier European competition, by UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) this month because John Textor, president of the Eagle Football Group, majority owners of Olympique Lyonnais, also has a controlling stake in Palace.

    Ligue 1 club Lyon, who also qualified for the second-tier continental competition, were allowed to compete.

    Read Also: Tinubu, NFF, others lead tributes for Peter Rufai

    “This (appeal) will be an expedited procedure with an operative decision (without grounds) to be rendered on or before 11 August 2025,” CAS said in a statement.

    Palace said last month that New York Jets co-owner Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson had signed a legally binding agreement to buy Eagle Football Holding’s stake in the club, subject to approval from the Premier League.

    Palace, however, missed the March deadline to comply with the multi-club ownership rules before winning the FA Cup in May to earn their place in European competition.

    Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League, will replace Palace in the Europa League if their appeal fails.

  • Palace fans protest over Conference League demotion

    Palace fans protest over Conference League demotion

    Crystal Palace supporters have staged a protest against Uefa’s decision to demote the club to the Conference League.

    On Tuesday, hundreds of fans marched to Palace’s Selhurst Park ground carrying banners and chanting against European football’s governing body.

    The Eagles, who qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup in May – their first major trophy – were demoted to the lower tier of Uefa competition after breaching multi-club ownership rules.

    American businessman John Textor owns a stake in Crystal Palace and is the majority owner of French club Lyon, who have also qualified for the Europa League.

    The rules of European football’s governing body state clubs owned, to a certain threshold of influence, by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European competition.

    Uefa’s rules set a deadline of 1 March 2025 to show proof of multi-club ownership restructuring – a deadline which Palace missed.

    Textor is currently in the process of selling his stake in Crystal Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.

    Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, are set to replace Palace in the Europa League.

    Read Also: Kano police set up panel to investigate attack on Emir Sanusi’s palace

    Palace are expected to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

    “At the end of the day it’s an injustice, just by a couple of admin errors. We qualified for it,” Nick Philpot from the Red and Blue Review podcast said at the march.

    “We won the cup – it should be we go into it without any question about it.

    “You’re penalising the entire club and the fanbase. Why would you do that?”

    Last week, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish called the decision “a bad day for football” and “a terrible injustice”.

    “We’ve been locked out of a European competition on the most ridiculous technicality,” he said. “Supporters of all clubs should be devastated for us.”

    Uefa has been approached for comment.

  • Decision on Palace’s Europa League fate delayed

    Decision on Palace’s Europa League fate delayed

    A decision on whether Crystal Palace can compete in next season’s Europa League has been delayed by Uefa.

    The Eagles’ place, earned by winning the FA Cup last season, has been under threat because of Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules, which prevents teams under the same ownership from competing in the same European competition.

    Co-owner John Textor, who also co-owns French club Lyon, has agreed to sell his 44% stake in Palace in a bid to help their case.

    A decision on Palace’s participation had been expected on Monday.

    However, Lyon were demoted to Ligue 2 last week by the French football authorities on account of their poor finances.

    The club are appealing against the decision but should they fail, they have agreed to relinquish their Europa League spot.

    Uefa has therefore opted to wait until the outcome of the appeal before making a decision on Palace’s participation.

    It is not known how long Lyon’s appeal will take, with Uefa stating further details will be announced in “due course”.

    Read Also: Forest ask for clarity over Palace’s Europa League place

    Should Palace be granted a spot in the competition, they will enter the group phase – which begins in September.

    Textor is in the process of selling his stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.

    The American, 59, resigned from his leadership role at Lyon on Monday after deciding to step back from the day-to-day running of the club, in which he owns a 77% stake.

    Last October, Textor’s Eagle Football Group announced debts of £422m at Lyon.

    The club said the decision to demote them into Ligue 2 was “incomprehensible” and that they would appeal the decision.