Should the Eagles see off Shakhtar on Thursday evening to reach the UEFA Conference League Final, 2025/26 will officially become Palace’s longest-ever season in terms of number of competitive fixtures (60) – surpassing the previous highest total of 59 (1989/90).

With today’s trip to the Vitality Stadium – to face a Bournemouth side unbeaten in their last 14 Premier League matches – marking the 54th game of the campaign, tight turnarounds have posed a new challenge for Wharton and his teammates this season.

“It’s a lot different to usual!” the midfielder said. “Obviously, we’ve not had Europe before, and we’ve had 15 games in the Conference League – we've had a lot with the qualifiers as well – so it's been hectic.

“It's been difficult, but also a good thing. We want to be involved in these competitions. We want to get far in the domestic competitions if possible as well. It's a positive thing, but definitely something new for a lot of players.”


On the biggest challenge, Wharton added: “I think it's more mental. A lot of players at this level can definitely play two, three games a week physically, but mentally it's tough, especially when you get back in the early hours of the morning from a European game. 

“You get back Friday morning and then you play on Sunday. If you've got an away game, you've got to travel on Saturday. I think it's more trying to get the right amount of sleep, because you can't sleep after a game with the adrenaline. 

“You're getting back at 3am, 4am… Your body clock's a bit messed up. I think that part's difficult. It's trying to figure out the best way to recover in the short amount of time that you've got.

“We've not had a lot of preparation with the game in Europe, but it's part of football. We played Fiorentina in the Europa League a couple of weeks ago in the home leg and we won 3-0. 

“We didn't create that many chances, not as many as we did against Liverpool, or not as big chances. But we scored three and against Liverpool we scored one. It's just part of football. One day you can be very clinical and the other just might not be going in for you.

“It's just about keeping on going. We know that we'll get the chances and hopefully when we get chances, we take them.”


Match Action | Crystal Palace 3-3 AFC Bournemouth

Wharton recognised the scale of the challenge that Bournemouth will pose, noting: “They’ve been very strong recently. They've not lost games in a long time, so their confidence will be very high. 

“But we know from the start of the season [the 3-3 draw at Selhurst Park] that we'll be able to create opportunities against them and it'll be a tight game.

“Hopefully we can go there and we'll have to be strong defensively, but at the same time we know we can create chances against them and we'll have an opportunity, so hopefully we get a good result.

“We’re at a similar sort of points tally from last year, but this year it's very tight in the middle of the table. I think if you get a few wins, you'll probably jump up quite a few spots.

“We're definitely looking at that as an opportunity to try and get in Europe again, and hopefully we can.”

### Match Details

**Bournemouth v Crystal Palace**

- Sunday, 3rd May
- 14:00 BST
- Premier League
- Vitality Stadium
- [Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)

Just three days after defeating Shakhtar Donetsk in Krakow, Crystal Palace are bound for Bournemouth (14:00 BST kick-off) – and Adam Wharton and his teammates will once again be ready for the task.

Wharton talks tight turnarounds & taking on Bournemouth

Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (2026-05-03)

Crystal Palace

UEFA Conference League

Shakhtar Donetsk

Last Match

Premier League

Bournemouth

Next Match

Crystal Palace U18

U18 Premier League

Arsenal U18

Ipswich Town U18

Crystal Palace U21

Premier League 2 - Division 1

Liverpool U21

Manchester United U21

Jo Potter's side went into the final day knowing that three points would secure them automatic promotion, regardless of results elsewhere – whilst should the stars align, a shot at the league title was also possible.

But whilst Birmingham's win over Charlton at the Valley meant the trophy is bound for the Midlands, Palace's excellent 6-1 win over Portsmouth secured second place in WSL2 – and, with it, an immediate return to the top-flight!

Promotion caps a sensational turnaround in Palace Women's season, with the Eagles winning 12 of their 14 matches since mid-November – with just a single defeat in that time – to propel themselves back into the top league.

On that run, the Eagles were seemingly unstoppable, scoring 32 times and conceding just 12, to earn their place back in the big time.

Potter's Palace peaked at the perfect time and now finish the season in second place, having only entered the top two on the final day!

This result also means that Palace have secured automatic promotion to the Women's Super League for the 2026/27 season - where they will take on the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.

**For now, however, let the party begin in South London – WE ARE GOING UP!**

Crystal Palace Women have secured automatic promotion spot by finishing second in the Barclays Women's Super League 2, following a remarkable 6-1 final-day victory over Portsmouth in Sutton!

WE ARE GOING UP!: Palace Women promoted back to the WSL!

Crystal Palace Women v Portsmouth Women (2026-05-02)

Portsmouth Women

Women's Super League 2

Crystal Palace Women

Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## From Academy to Premier League

> Having joined the Palace Academy from Brentford in 2016, Tyrick Mitchell rose to prominence rapidly at Palace and set the record for the youngest-ever player to make 200 Premier League appearances for the club.

Mitchell was a regular in both of Palace's Under-18 and Under-23 Professional Development League South winning teams in 2017/18 as he spent a second campaign featuring at both levels.

A recruit from Brentford at the end of the 2015/16 season, Mitchell, an attacking left-back with bundles of pace, impressed sufficiently for the Academy side to be handed a chance with the Development team in 2016. He used that experience to his advantage in 17/18 as he helped his two teams to silverware.

In 2018/19, Mitchell was a regular fixture in Richard Shaw's U23s team and joined the first-team on their pre-season tour in the summer of 2019.

After returning from an injury sustained while on tour, Mitchell made several first-team squads and earned his Premier League debut against Leicester City in July 2020. He went on to secure his first Premier League start by playing the full 90 minutes against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In April 2021, he signed a contract extension through til the end of 2024/25. Mitchell then followed this up with his first goal and assist for the Eagles, as helped the side to a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in May 2021.

His performances throughout 21/22 saw him earn a senior England call-up for the first time in March 2022, making his debut in a 2-1 win over Switzerland.

Mitchell was nearly ever-present in 2022/23, featuring for Palace in 38 out of a possible 41 games in all competitions. He made his 100th appearance in red and blue against Tottenham Hotspur towards the end of the campaign and was also awarded the PFA Community Champion Award for his support for the Palace for Life Foundation.

He was again so close to being ever-present in 2023/24, this time only missing a single game through injury. Nevertheless, he continued to make the left-back position his own, and even stepping further forward as a left wing-back under new manager Oliver Glasner. Mitchell concldued the campaign with his best attacking returns, with two goals and three assists.

In 2024/25, Mitchell was one of the first names on the teamsheet - featuring in 37 out of a possible 38 league games. He kept 11 clean sheets in the league, assisting five times. 

He also kept four clean sheets in the games he featured in as Palace lifted the FA Cup.

November 2021, December 2023

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Crystal Palace, 2021/22

Young Player of the Season

Crystal Palace, 2022/23

PFA Community Champion

Mitchell

Twitter

Instagram

Appearances

Goals

Tyrick reflects on his 200th Premier League appearance

Best of Tyrick Mitchell | Newcastle (H)

Match Action: Crystal Palace 3-0 Fiorentina

Doc Brown meets Tyrick Mitchell

CCTV | The Team prepare for Shelbourne

Net88's November Player of the Month: Tyrick Mitchell

Best of Tyrick Mitchell | Fulham (A)

Match Highlights | RC Strasbourg 2-1 Crystal Palace

Mitchell previews Wolves 

Access All Over | Crystal Palace v Brighton

The best of Tyrick Mitchell | Brighton (H)

The best of our Defenders | Brighton (H)

Tyrick on hard-fought draw

From South London to Europe | This Is Our Night

CCTV | Internationals Returns

Goals Inside Box

Goals Outside Box

Right Foot

Left Foot

Shots

Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

Aerial duels won

Interceptions

Blocks

Recoveries

Tackles won

Duels won

Clearances

Minutes

Attempted passes

Successful passes

Chances created

Crosses

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls won

Fouls Conceded

Season

Games

Get ready for Europe!

### **Factfile**

- **Manager:** Andoni Iraola
- **League Position:** 7th
- **Ground:** Vitality Stadium
- **Founded:** 1899

### **In their manager's words...**

**In his pre-match press conference Andoni Iraola** said it would be tough to break down Palace, despite the reverse fixture between the two clubs seeing six goals shared. 

The Bournemouth boss has already announced he will be departing at the end of the 2025/26 season, but before then could lead his team to their first ever European qualification. The Cherries head into this weekend lying seventh in the Premier League table.

Iraola was asked about Palace's number of goals from open play and whether this was an area he could exploit, but the Spaniard believes other strengths make Oliver Glasner's team tough opponents this weekend.

"They have very good data in other departments," he said. "I think only City and Arsenal have less goals conceded than Palace. It means that it's very difficult to score against Palace.

"They defend so well, so organised. It's a very well-coached team. They know what they are doing

"Normally their line-ups are consistent. The system is always the same, but the things they do, they do them so well that it's difficult to create clear chances against Palace.

They defend so well. It's a well-coached team

"I think that every detail is going to be very important, because I think the 3-3 we had against them, it's the exception [to most Palace matches].

"All of our games have been very tight. I expect the same on Sunday. I think set plays are going to be massive. 

"We are coming from conceding two long throws. They scored even yesterday from a long throw, so we have to pay attention to these details.

"You can make one mistake in a set piece and everything goes down. They don't make mistakes at the back and we will have to earn everything offensively.

"I don't expect another 3-3 on Sunday. But we'll see what happens. You never know in football."

Access All Over | Crystal Palace v Bournemouth

### **Bournemouth Team News**

Iraola confirmed Justin Kluivert has been back in training with the Cherries squad, but Sunday’s game would be too early for a return for the forward.

"I think it’s very positive news for us," he added. "Justin is a very important player in our team. He has still not been training fully this week but at a very good level.

“Probably, Sunday arrives too early for him but I think he will help us in these last games of the season. He will have, I hope, quality minutes."

However, Bournemouth have no fresh injury concerns from the side that drew against Leeds in their last outing.

### **The Boss: Andoni Iraola**

The first English job for Iraola came calling in 2023 when Bournemouth appointed the Catalan on an initial two-year contract.

Iraola had previously taken this season's Conference League semi-finalists Rayo Vallecano from the second tier to La Liga through the play-offs, before then leading them to the last four of the Copa Del Ray in 2021/22.

His 16-year playing career was mainly spent with Athletic Bilbao, where he came through the youth system, but Iraola also spent a season with New York City FC.

During his time in Dorset so far he has led the Cherries to finishes of 12th and ninth in the Premier League, but looks likely to improve on that in his third and final season on the south coast.

Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 0-0 Bournemouth

### **Stat Attack**

***Stats provided by Opta**

- Palace have kept a clean sheet in five of our last eight Premier League away games against Bournemouth.
- Bournemouth have given more minutes to teenagers than any other side in the Premier League this season (2,602). Junior Kroupi is responsible for more than half of those for the Cherries, with his 1,385 minutes the third-most among teens this term along with Mateus Mané (1,453) and Lewis Miley (1,403).
- 18.7% of Adam Wharton’s passes in the Premier League this season have been line-breaking passes (202/1,082), the highest proportion of any player in 2025-26 with 500+ passes attempted, with his 133 under high-intensity also the joint-sixth most this term.
- No side has a worst points differential between points won and lost with goals scored in the 90th minute or later in the Premier League this season than Bournemouth (-3, 5 won and 8 lost); Palace have the joint-best differential (+6, 7 won and 1 lost).

### **Match Details**

**Bournemouth v Crystal Palace**

- **Sunday, 3rd May**
- **14:00 BST**
- **Premier League**
- **Vitality Stadium**
- **[Live audio commentary on Palace TV+](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/).**

After more European success Crystal Palace return to the Premier League with a trip to Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon (14:00 BST) – here's the latest from Andoni Iraola ahead of a big game for both sides...

View from the Opposition: Outgoing Iraola's verdict on Palace

The Manager was speaking in a pre-match interview recorded ahead of the Eagles’ journey to Krakow to face Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals – a trip which ended with an eye-catching 3-1 lead to take back home for the second leg.

Looking ahead to Palace’s trip to the Vitality Stadium on Sunday (3rd May, 14:00 BST), Glasner predicted a “very intense game” for his team, and gave his thoughts on his opposite number in the Bournemouth dugout, Andoni Iraola…

**Read on for the key quotes below!**

#### On his expectations of the match…

I think everything I'm saying now will be completely the opposite, because I remember before the home game at Selhurst I said “I don't expect many goals, I don't expect a 3-3” – and exactly a 3-3 came!

I expect a very intense game, like always. Bournemouth are playing with one of the highest intensities in the Premier League, having a lot of runs in behind, a lot of pace in their attack, and also with their full-backs. 

They're playing a very good season again. I think they struggled in the middle of the season, maybe at the same time when we were struggling. They had some injuries, but now all the players are available and just showing how good they are, and a clear structure in the way they are playing.

Good manager, good team, good players, so it will be the next challenge.

#### On outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola…

Great. As I mentioned before: clear structure, clear style in the way they are playing, also clear profile in the players they are signing. 

It's all about pace and runs, and they are quite direct. 

I think he's done an amazing job there, but I never think too much about other managers or other teams, because my focus is on Crystal Palace and our team.

#### On reflections from last week’s defeat at Liverpool…

Nothing’s changed, and we can't change our ambition after one game or after one result. It's always about performing well and getting a win at the end. 

I think the performance was very good at Liverpool. The result was not what we wanted, but this is what we have to accept. Everybody has to accept it sometimes. 

I also think Bournemouth deserved a bit more against Leeds at home when they conceded the equaliser in the 95th minute from a long throw-in [a 2-2 draw], but no.

So we want to show a good performance against Bournemouth, and in the best case we have a good performance and win the game.

#### On the league table and Palace’s hopes of a top-half finish…

We don't think about it, because it can affect our performance on Sunday against Bournemouth, and we can't affect the other results and what's going on. It just makes sense thinking about how we want to play, what we want to do, what we have to do against them. 

We showed that we can score goals against them, because the games before we didn't really score. I think they were 0-0 or a 1-0 defeat – very tight results. 

Our approach is always thinking how we can show our best performance and how we can show our strengths, and get our strengths on the pitch.

#### On Jefferson Lerma coming up against his former club…

Jefferson is a very important player. 

He's very experienced, he's our most physical player in midfield, he's one of the best players in defending and attacking set-plays, so it's great to have him here with his Premier League experience, with the way he's always training very hard and pushing himself and all the others.

It's great to have him on the team.

#### Injury updates on Cheick Doucouré and Evann Guessand…

I think Checky won't play this season again. I hope that he can really recover and get back in the off-season, that he can start the pre-season with the new manager, with the new team in the best way. That's what I'm really hoping for him. 

Evann, so he won't be available for Bournemouth definitely, but we hope maybe for the second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk and then, of course, until the end of the season.

He's very motivated, working hard in rehab, and again we know what injury he has, it's a very aggressive way that he can play a few games for us, but he wants this as well, so we want it, he wants it. 

Of course we are connected with Aston Villa, because he's an Aston Villa player, so they are fine with it and that's why we're really pushing him and he's pushing himself as well, so that's why I'm really confident that he will play a few games for us this season.

#### On facing both title challengers, Manchester City and Arsenal, in the final couple of weeks of the season…

We have the same impact as any other team, because we play both teams twice a season. 

Some have already played them, or most of the teams have already played them twice a season, so we have to wait quite long until the end of the season. 

Like always, we're giving our best to get the win, regardless if it's City or Arsenal. We have no preference who should win the league, so we want to finish as high and as well as possible.

### Match Details

**Bournemouth v Crystal Palace**

- Sunday, 3rd May
- 14:00 BST
- Premier League
- Vitality Stadium
- [Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)

Oliver Glasner has joked that Crystal Palace fans should expect the unexpected when the Eagles travel to Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, after one of the best Premier League matches of the season took place in the reverse meeting at Selhurst Park.

Video

Video

Wharton talks tight turnarounds & taking on Bournemouth

View from the Opposition: Outgoing Iraola's verdict on Palace

Glasner gives pre-Bournemouth prediction & thoughts on Andoni Iraola

Get ready for Europe!

3Tyrick
Mitchell

Video

Video

Wharton talks tight turnarounds & taking on Bournemouth

View from the Opposition: Outgoing Iraola's verdict on Palace

Glasner gives pre-Bournemouth prediction & thoughts on Andoni Iraola

Get ready for Europe!

3TyrickMitchell

3Tyrick
Mitchell