Selhurst Park isn’t just a Premier League football ground, but the heart of a vibrant and diverse community, stretching back a century since Palace’s arrival in 1924. Find out more about the incredible history of Selhurst Park.

100 Years of Selhurst Park

## South London and Proud

> Born in Greenwich, south London, Eberechi Eze joined Palace in summer 2020 as a landmark signing and has since established himself as a leading attacking talent in the Premier League.

Eberechi Eze signed a five-year contract with Crystal Palace F.C. in August 2020, becoming the club’s second arrival of the summer transfer window.

The south London-born playmaker rose through the ranks at Queens Park Rangers after joining them in 2016. An FA Cup debut followed in January 2017 and later that year, Eze made 22 appearances in a half-season loan to Wycombe Wanderers.

Then still a teenager, the attack-minded youngster played a key role in the Chairboys’ promotion to League One that season, scoring five goals - including a brace against Cambridge United.

On his return to QPR, Eze established himself as a regular first-team player, being awarded the No.10 shirt and a three-year contract in 2018. He left the Hoops with 20 goals from 112 senior games, collecting Supporters’ Player of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and Junior Hoops Player of the Season for 19/20 as well as being shortlisted for PFA Player of the Year.

Internationally, Eze has represented England at both Under-20 and Under-21 level, and was named in the U21 squad the same week he signed for Palace.

He made his Palace debut as an 81st-minute substitute against Southampton in September 2020, and scored his first goal for the Eagles shortly after, netting a Goal of the Month free-kick versus Leeds United.

Another sensational strike – this time against Sheffield United – earned Eze the club's Goal of the Season award for 2020/21. He finished the 20/21 campaign with six goals and four assists in 35 games.

The midfielder received a call from the England first-team, after his performances in 20/21, but was desperately unfortunate to suffer an Achillies injury two matches before the end of the season, keeping him sidelined for over six months.

Injury meant that the majority of 2021/22 was spent in recovery for Eze, but he returned in the latter part of campaign and scored his only goal of 21/22 in a 2-1 win away at Southampton – a well-taken finish.

The following season was Eze's finest in a Palace shirt to date, the playmaker establishing himself as a leading offensive talent in the Premier League.

The No. 10 featured in all 38 of the Eagles' Premier League games in 2022/23, coming into his own after the World Cup break, finishing the season with 10 goals – Palace's top scorer – and four assists to his name. He was at his mesmeric best during April 2023, scoring four times in Palace’s six games and earning a Premier League Player of the Month nomination.

In June, Eze became the 18th Crystal Palace player to represent England, coming on after 70 minutes of a 4-0 win over Malta – and even having an effort cleared off the line.

He made his 100th Premier League appearance for the club against Fulham in September 2023 and signed a new three-and-a-half year deal in November, extending his stay in SE25 until 2027.

His 2023/24 season was intermittently broken up due to injury, however he still managed to produce his best ever season in terms of attacking returns with 11 goals and four assists in 27 Premier League games. Eze also won the Goal of the Season award, as voted for by the fans, with his winner at Anfield in April 2024.

Eze's fine form towards the end of 23/24 saw him called up to the England squad ahead of the 2024 UEFA European Championship. He was also rewarded with his first start for the Three Lions in a 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in early June.

He made an impact off the bench on three occasions for England, helping the side to the final they finished runners-up in the 2024 UEFA European Championship.

QPR 2019/20

Supporters' Player of the Season

2019/20 Championship 

PFA Team of the Season 

Players’ Player of the Season

Junior Hoops Player of the Season

November 2020, January 2021, October 2022, April 2023, March 2024

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

October 2022, April 2023, October 2023, December 2023

Crystal Palace Goal of the Month

Crystal Palace, 2020/21 (v Sheffield United) | Crystal Palace, 2023/24 (v Liverpool)

Goal of the Season

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Goal of the Month contenders: October 2024

The Full 90: Aston Villa v Crystal Palace | EFL Cup | Palace TV+

JP & Ebs | Friendship Test

Extended Highlights: Aston Villa 1-2 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Match Action: Aston Villa 1-2 Crystal Palace | EFL Cup

All Angles | JP's Fine First-Half Strike

CCTV | Preparing for Spurs 

Eze Wins September's Goal of the Month

Goal of the Month contenders: September 2024

The Full 90: Queens Park Rangers v Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Extended Highlights: QPR 1-2 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Match Action: QPR 1-2 Crystal Palace

Eze talks cup win at QPR

Access All Over: Chelsea (A)

The Full 90 | Chelsea v Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

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Season

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Maxence Lacroix Interview

Despite the disappointment of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup exit at Arsenal – Palace still go into the Christmas period full of confidence after putting together a five-game unbeaten run in the Premier League.

This included last week’s stunning win at Brighton – the team producing arguably the result and performance of the season, so far.

And defender Lacroix believes the squad’s togetherness has proven a crucial factor in their recent run of form.

“Like the coach said, it was difficult for him to show everyone the strategy at the start of the season,” Lacroix told Premier League Productions. "Because everyone was not there when we started the season, but right now, everyone knows where we want to go.

“And we are also good friends, not only teammates, we are also friends \[off the pitch\]. So it's perfect.

“We have the quality to go high, to beat all of the teams in this league. And this is why we are also unbeaten at the moment, because we are together.”

Palace can go into a second meeting with the Gunners in the space of four days knowing that this time they have home advantage.

And Lacroix believes a packed Selhurst Park, under the lights and full of festive cheer, will drive him and his teammates on to put in another big performance.  

“I think, like have I said before, every time, it's not only 11 players on the pitch,” he added.  “It's 12 because we have also the fans. 

“And the fans are crazy, it feels like when we are in good shape, they are with us, and we are like one.

“And this is what I like. This is why I play football also, because they push us to do more, to run more. And this power they give us is a big quality to use.”

Lacroix has been instrumental in a solid defensive unit alongside both Trevoh Chalobah and skipper Marc Guehi over recent months. All three have also chipped in with goals along the way, Lacroix getting his first Palace goal against Manchester City this month.

And, since arriving from Wolfsburg last summer, the Frenchman has already formed a close bond with his fellow centre-backs. Their strong relationship off the pitch, according to Lacroix, helps the trio during the 90 minutes.

“It's a good relationship because we are like brothers. And when you are good off the pitch, on the pitch, it will be the same. 

“This is why I think we have a good connection, I want to say. Of course, we have qualities. We have Trevoh who was playing for Chelsea. Marc’s playing in England \[national team\]. So, it's always easier to start with this type of player.

“When you know it's your brother \[alongside you in the team\] you want to do always more because it's different. I think when it's your brother, you want to protect him.

“You want to give more. And like with Marc, you want to be with him because he's a good guy. He's a top player, but he's also a top guy. 

“It’s like a family, you know? And this is why this team is good and the people like this team, because we are like a family and everyone wants the best for one another.”

### Match Details

- Crystal Palace v Arsenal
- Premier League
- Saturday, 21 December, 17:30 GMT
- Selhurst Park
- [Live audio commentary on Palace TV+](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)

Maxence Lacroix says the strong team spirit at Crystal Palace has him believing they can beat any team the Premier League has to offer - ahead of a visit from high-flying Arsenal.

Lacroix: Our togetherness is pushing us on

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League Cup

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Christmas Shopping 

The Eagles were edged out of the Carabao Cup at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, a spirited display not enough to avert a 3-2 defeat against the Gunners.

At his pre-match press conference ahead of the two teams' Premier League meeting at Selhurst Park this weekend, manager Oliver Glasner urged his players to learn their lessons from that encounter, while thanking the Palace fans for their superb support – catch up on the key quotes below…

- [Read Glasner’s pre-match team news update](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/first-team/team-news-update-on-eze-ahead-of-arsenal/)
- [Listen to live to audio commentary on Palace TV+](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)

Pre-Match press conference: Arsenal (H)

### “It’s a big chance to learn”

We could see the quality of Arsenal. We could see especially in the second half of how quick you can move the ball, making the runs, how accurate they can pass in the gaps and so we have to talk to the players and we talked about it.

From these games you can learn a lot and playing against the top teams, of course, it hurts when you lose and are out of the Cup, but it's also a big chance to learn and improve and it's the best thing we can show it now within three days. I don't expect 30 percent improvement within these three days but in some parts a little bit, and then we want to get a better result.

With an early lead there, we got just a little bit too passive and we need to find the right moments. I know it's not that easy because they move so well, they move the ball so quickly, but we need to find the moments where we can get more pressure and therefore you have to step up, you have to go into the duels, not just going there waiting three yards in front of them. In possession, you have to support your teammate and show him, ‘hey, I want to have the ball’ and this is what we can do better.

We did this in some parts of the game and then it looked quite good. It was the same at Brighton in the first-half: when we do this and we support and we have to invest, we have to run, we have to move, find the gaps and play with few touches, then also Arsenal has to run.

This is what we need, because when they play most of the time in their final third, so in our defending third, it's just a question of time, they get a lot of set plays and there is one moment to switch the game from left to right and wait and have the right moment to find the gaps, and therefore we have to be in some areas we were talking about, to make more pressure, to force them to pass back, to get out from our defensive third, and this is what I think. 

It’s also not just going there half, it's going there full, and if something happens, it happens.

### “Every goal counts”

I think in every game Arsenal had many chances also from open play, but they didn't score against Everton, and they could’ve scored two or three. Against Monaco in the Champions League, they scored three from open play, so I know sometimes it's a nice story for the media, when you see they don't score from open play, but at the end it doesn't matter how you score.

If it's a set play, if it's a transition or if it's open play, every goal counts, and I think we defended their set pieces quite well, but I also think they will now, because we changed our shape in defending, now they are preparing something. In the same way as we had some attacking set plays from our side, they changed their setup as well, so this is what our my assistants and Mikel’s assistants now are thinking, and sticking their heads together to find the best way for tomorrow.

You prepare and then I think it's like in American football: you prepare for the opponent and all of a sudden you see: ‘oh, they changed their setup because of what we are doing’, and then there are some adjustments at half-time. Then it's just 15 minutes, now you have three days, and there will be some adjustments from their side, there will be some adjustments from our side and let's see who does a better job. 

### “We’re always talking about it” 

We're always talking about \[recruitment\], and let's see what happens. Of course we are analysing our squad and maybe where we can add some skills in parts, where we maybe need a player, where we have just one player in one position, but it's who's available, what makes sense.

It’s not that we do something just to do something. We act in the transfer market in January just when we think it makes sense to put new skills into our squad, when we get players with the right character, the right profile, then we try to do it. And if not, we stay with the squad – a great squad – and again, I hope that Adam Wharton comes back in the new year and so everything's fine.

### “Confidence is a big word”

Confidence is a big word. You have to show it on the pitch. 

Confidence is also, when you take the lead, not to wait, so also go forward and try to score the second. We scored the first and then we got passive, so then we are 3-1 down, game over it looks like, and all of a sudden we play much more forward again and we scored a second. 

Either we need the lead or being down, so why? Why not always play the same way, the same style playing forward instead of cautiously, but that’s easy to say. I think everybody knows and has a big respect for Arsenal playing at the Emirates, and sometimes you have confidence but they make so much pressure then you have to survive this pressure .

We were at Brighton, we had the lead at half-time and we had to survive the first 15 minutes and we survived, and this time we didn't. When Arsenal are one down at home in a Cup game, they tried everything and then they increased the pressure, and then it is: do you find the moments to release the pressure? Do you get worried because there is so much pressure, or you say: ‘okay, it's normal, this will be’.

The stats when they played Inter Milan away in the Champions League, they were 1-0 down at half-time at the start of the second-half, and I think they had 70 percent possession and 13-1 shots, but that’s normal because it's Arsenal, and Inter won 1-0.

I think this is what we have to learn. Also when there is a phase of being under pressure against these big teams, don't worry, it's normal, stick to the plan and then I always like that the best way of defending is attacking. Go forward, make pressure, try to bring the game into their half again. 

It’s easy to talk about it but it's not so easy to do it, but it’s the mindset I always prefer than just waiting and waiting and waiting. 

It’s all about the balance. It doesn't mean when you attack, that you are you are vulnerable in defence, not at all. Arsenal attacked, they played most of the time in our half, but were not vulnerable in defence, so it's always about having the balance in the game and when you play in the opposite half, you have a long distance to your goal. When you always play in their own half… in your own six-yard box you can never win the game, you can just lose it. I don’t see that attacking weakens your defence.

When you have the ball, first of all, they can't score, I think we all agree. The second thing is when you have a good balance, and not your last player losing the ball, you always have enough players. I think the best way doesn't mean you have press with 10 players in their box and concede goals, but this balance of getting pressure on the ball in different areas, staying in possession, trying to play in their half, I think this is the best way to succeed.

### “The fans are amazing”

The fans are great, amazing, and travelling everywhere. The Emirates was not that far, but we played the Carabao game at Villa during the week, away, the away stand was full. Playing at Ipswich, I remember, one degree, very cold, 7.30 in the evening, Tuesday, away stand was full, so great support from our fans, and this helps us also. 

This is what we're also talking about: this should encourage us to play always the same style, and this is a process we're in. Sometimes it's getting better and better, especially for example the first-half at Brighton, we did this.

This time I think we could have done a little bit better, but also we have to respect and accept that Arsenal is quite a good team. When they played at Fulham they 67 percent possession, 12 shots at the end, so it's a good team, and this will be the same tomorrow – but in some situations we want to play with a little bit more bravery.

### “I’m delighted for Eddie”

I'm really delighted for him and of course for us, because as a striker you need goals. You can talk, you can train, you can do everything, but a striker needs this success ,and then especially there in his stadium, where he played against this club where he played so many years for.

Also, the way he scored: it was not an easy goal, it was a very difficult one – an amazing header and bringing us back into the game, so everything was very positive for him, but he deserved it.

He goes into the right pathway. He's working hard after his injury now, and also training as many situations. We could feel that the closer it gets to the goal, the more he's thinking about it – normal for a striker, and I'm really sure that now with this goal, especially how he scored it and against Arsenal, that his confidence comes back and then he will score more and more goals.

### “We can still score more goals”

I think especially our attackers can do better. The cold numbers are our defenders scored almost the same amount of goals like our attackers, so it means from set-plays, we are really doing well. 

I think we can still score more goals with our attackers, our central midfielders, they have the chances. Will Hughes has had two or three, Jeff Lerma two or three – one big against City – so they are coming more and more into these situations where they can score goals without losing the balance, without being vulnerable in transition.

This is what we are working on, getting them into the situations where they can score goal, and we're always talking about having numbers in the box and they are of course the No. 9 should be, also our tens more and more, our wing-backs with the amazing chance we created when Tyrick Mitchell passes in the box to Danny Muñoz, this is where we want to have the players, and then all the others have to control the space behind them. 

This is what we are working on. After 16 games, I think we still have potential.

### “Mateta has scored so many goals”

He's scored so many goals since we arrived, and he's very important for scoring goals. I think he still can improve being integrated in our open play, but he's trying, he’s willing to learn, he tries to improve, and that’s always important for us.

Of course, now at the end of December, I don't know how many games he’s played this season with the Olympic tournament and then there were some moments where he starts to get tired. The last two games he looked a little bit getting tired after 60 minutes and then it’s the opportunity for another player, and then I think Eddie did really great in both of the games – he had one assist, one goal in these two games.

We can't play the whole season with 11 players, so that's why we have a very strong squad, and then it's be here to help the team, and this is what all our subs are doing. Then we will see who is in the best in the best physical shape, mental shape, and these players will start.

### Match Details

- Palace v Arsenal
- Premier League
- Saturday, 21st December, 17:30 GMT
- Selhurst Park
- [Live audio commentary on Palace TV+](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)

Crystal Palace face Arsenal for the second time in three days on Saturday; ahead of the game, find out what manager Oliver Glasner had to say below.

The key quotes from Glasner's pre-Arsenal press conference

The Eagles are looking to avenge Wednesday's Carabao Cup defeat to the same opponent and make it six games unbeaten in the Premier League as we head into the festive period.

Glasner is looking for a immediate response to the midweek setback, but will have to do so without **Ebere Eze**, telling his pre-match press conference: “We have no one back yet, but we do have one more injury: Ebs is unavailable.

“He got a hit against Brighton on his foot. He played with quite a swollen foot at the Emirates and also got the next kick there, so he is not 100%.

“We need every player 100% so it makes sense, we decided that he gets a rest and hopefully he will be available for Bournemouth.

“It doesn’t look serious, but you have to wear the boots, kick the ball and it is painful, it is not that free in terms of movement.

“You always feel pain when you move and then you are thinking too much about this and can't play how you can play.

"We need the best Eberechi Eze he can be and therefore he has to be fit like all the other players."

While Eze's absence will be felt, Glasner also admitted it is a relief to have the majority of his squad available at such a crucial part of the season.

“For me the busiest part of Christmas is this week, three games in six days," he added.

"We have one game on the 29th but then we have a week until Chelsea. So the busiest period is now and it is good to have players available.

“And I expect Ebere to be available for Bournemouth. Of course it is important to have your team together, and we will go for getting a better result than two days ago at the Emirates.”

Oliver Glasner has provided an update on player availability ahead of Crystal Palace’s Premier League clash with Arsenal on Saturday night.

Team News: Update on Eze ahead of Arsenal 

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First-team

First-team

Lacroix: Our togetherness is pushing us on

The key quotes from Glasner's pre-Arsenal press conference

Team News: Update on Eze ahead of Arsenal

Christmas Shopping

Latest Videos

Pre-Match press conference: Arsenal (H)

Maxence Lacroix Interview

Palace in the community

The Full 90: Arsenal v Crystal Palace | Carabao Cup EFL | Palace TV+

Post-match Press Conference: Arsenal (A)

Extended Highlights: Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace

10Eberechi
Eze

First-team

First-team

Lacroix: Our togetherness is pushing us on

The key quotes from Glasner's pre-Arsenal press conference

Team News: Update on Eze ahead of Arsenal

Christmas Shopping

Latest Videos

Pre-Match press conference: Arsenal (H)

Maxence Lacroix Interview

Palace in the community

The Full 90: Arsenal v Crystal Palace | Carabao Cup EFL | Palace TV+

Post-match Press Conference: Arsenal (A)

Extended Highlights: Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace

10EberechiEze

10Eberechi
Eze