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

## World Cup winner

> Having made more than 100 appearances for Crystal Palace and now a regular captain of the side, Marc Guéhi has matured well beyond his years since moving to south London.

He joined Palace in summer 2021, signing a five-year contract with the club, and committing his services until summer 2026.

Guéhi was born in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and moved to England aged one. He spent much of his early years in Lewisham and began his youth career with Bromley-based Cray Wanderers.

It didn’t take long for Guéhi to attract attention and, aged just seven, he was scouted by Chelsea.

Progressing over the following decade with the Blues, Guéhi did enough to stay at the club year on year and reaped the rewards with an immensely successful peer group.

Winning the treble with the Blues’ Under-18s in 2016/17, Guéhi signed his first professional contract in September 2017 and went on to help Chelsea scoop the quadruple – including the FA Youth Cup and league – that same season.

Guéhi’s Academy team helped to reinforce Chelsea’s image as one of the fiercest youth sides in England, as the centre-back played alongside the likes of Reece James, Tariq Lamptey, Billy Gilmour, Conor Gallagher and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

But it wasn’t just at club level where Guéhi enjoyed success with a noteworthy youth team, as the teenager won the Under-17 World Cup with England in 2017. Indeed, Guéhi captained the Young Lions to the U17 European Championship final that same year and scored in the World Cup final just months later.

These performances ensured Guéhi was rewarded with a taste of first-team football, and he began to be named in Chelsea squads in spring 2019 – being a senior substitute on four occasions in 18/19.

His breakthrough came in the League Cup against Grimsby Town as the Blues stormed to a 7-1 victory with Guéhi in the backline. He again earned professional minutes for Chelsea in a fourth-round defeat against Manchester United, and secured a loan move to Swansea City shortly after.

Guéhi fought to secure his place over a half-season with the Swans that was disrupted by the league’s suspension in March. Having returned from the pause, Guéhi played in Swansea’s final five matches and helped to clinch a sixth-place finish.

Play-off heartbreak came for the first of two times as Swansea lost on aggregate to Brentford in the semi-finals, but Guéhi went on to enjoy personal progression the following season regardless.

2020/21 was something of a landmark for the defender, who returned to Swansea on loan for a full campaign and played 45 games. He became recognised as one of the league’s brightest talents and helped Swansea climb further up the table with a fourth-place finish.

Swansea and Guéhi continued to go one better than 19/20 by reaching the play-off final, but football showed its unforgiving side once again as Brentford overcame them for a second time. Guéhi played in every minute of the three play-off matches.

Guéhi describes himself as “strong, comfortable on the ball and hopefully growing to be a leader one day.”

These traits are evident in his play, with the 21-year-old having captained England Under-21s and made himself a mainstay for Swansea despite being one of the squad’s youngest players.

His attitude became clear when a post-match interview with him went viral across social media. Having earned a spot at Wembley and consecutive Man of the Match awards from Sky Sports, Guéhi humbly rebuked the accolades by saying: “The first time I was really surprised. Now I think it’s getting a bit ridiculous! Everyone was fantastic today, to a man. I could name everyone. For me to get this again, I don’t know.”

On the pitch, Guéhi is assertive and vocal, often heard organising his teammates with confidence. This confidence is reflected in his willingness to drive out from the back and distribute possession from relatively high up the pitch.

His first season in south London saw him feature in all but two of the games in 2021/22, making 42 appearances in total. His first goal for the club came in a chaotic 3-3 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor. Guéhi captained the side for the first time against Watford in February 2022, becoming the youngest player to captain the side since Nathaniel Clyne in 2012.

A month later, he earned his first ever call-up to the full England squad and made his debut in a 2-1 win against Switzerland.

Guéhi continued to be a rock at the heart of the Palace defence in 2022/23, forming a formidable partnership with Joachim Andersen. He was nearly ever-present in 22/23, playing in 40 out of a possible 41 games.

The 2023/24 campaign saw Guéhi again continue as a stalwart at the back, though in the latter half of the season he did suffer a knee injury which kept him out for two months. He concluded 23/24 with 29 appearances in all competitions.

He was called up to the England men's senior squad ahead of the 2024 UEFA European Championship and earned his 10th cap for the Three Lions with a solid defensive display and clean sheet against Bosnia and Herzegovina in June 2024.

Guéhi played a huge role at the heart of the England defence in the 2024 UEFA European Championship, playing every single minute he was eligible for as England finished runners-up in the tournament. He managed to to keep two clean sheets and register an assist for Jude Bellingham's sensational last-minute overhead kick against Slovakia in the round of 16.

UEFA European Under-17 Championship, 2017

Team of the Tournament

March 2022, March 2023

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Crystal Palace, 2021/22

Players' Player of the Season

January 2025

Crystal Palace Goal of the Month

Guéhi

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Appearances

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Marc shares thoughts on heading to Semi-Finals 

Our Premier League Community Captain

More Than A Game: Marc Guehi - PL Productions

Marc Guehi picks NFL 5-a-side team

Marc Guehi Wins January's Goal of the Month

Goal of the month contenders | January 2025

Access All Over: Leicester AND West Ham (A)

Extended highlights: Leicester City 0-2 Crystal Palace | PalaceTV+

Match Action: Leicester City 0-2 Crystal Palace

Marc reflects on stalemate

Christmas Surprise for Our Down Syndrome Eagles!

Marc on a tough defeat 

Access All Over: Wolves (A)

Extended Highlights: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

The Full 90: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Goals Inside Box

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Right Foot

Left Foot

Shots

Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

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Interceptions

Blocks

Recoveries

Tackles won

Duels won

Clearances

Minutes

Attempted passes

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Chances created

Crosses

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls won

Fouls Conceded

Season

Games

**The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on the BBC, with full ticketing details to be confirmed in due course.**

The Eagles reached the final four of the competition for the second time in four years with an impressive 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage last week, having previously seen off Stockport County, Doncaster Rovers and Millwall.

Should the match end in a draw after 90 minutes, extra-time and penalties will determine who will advance.

The other semi-final sees Nottingham Forest take on Manchester City on Sunday, 27th April (16:30 BST).

Stay tuned on [**cpfc.co.uk**](http://cpfc.co.uk), the official app and across our social media channels for confirmed ticketing details for the FA Cup semi-final.

Crystal Palace will face Aston Villa at Wembley in the 2024/25 Emirates FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday, 26th April (17:15 BST), it has been confirmed.

Details confirmed for FA Cup semi-final v Villa at Wembley

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa (2025-04-26)

Crystal Palace

Premier League

Southampton

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Brighton and Hove Albion

Next Match

24/25 KIT SALE

At Saturday's match between Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion, messaging will be displayed around Selhurst Park in a variety of forms, and players will take the knee ahead of kick-off to show their unity against all forms of discrimination.

Situated in the heart of South London, a wonderfully diverse community surrounds Selhurst – and that only serves to make this club even more special. Football is a sport which brings together communities and cultures. This diversity makes the game stronger – and Crystal Palace Football Club and the Premier League are always working to ensure this is reflected across all areas of the game.

**One focus of the No Room for Racism campaign is on developing and enhancing pathways for the future coaches, executives, players and officials in our game – so to shine a spotlight on this, we spoke to just four inspirational senior figures at the heart of Crystal Palace about their own journeys to date...**

### Dr Imtiaz Ahmad

**Head of Sports Medicine & Science**

Being a doctor, working in football was something I always really wanted to do. There weren’t many people from my background, British Pakistanis, who were working in football, so it was new ground, I’d say. I just focused on really trying to improve all the time, be the best I could and then see where it led me – and it’s led me this way so far.

I think it is important for young people to see people in more senior positions and being more visible. It does help motivate you when you see people and think: “Actually, I could attain that.”

I would say that if you focus on being excellent and improving yourself, then it can lead you to places like this, even within an environment like football, where traditionally you didn’t maybe see as many people from different backgrounds reaching higher positions.

### Susan Patterson-Smith

**Head of Pathways & Learning, Palace for Life Foundation**

I started at Palace in 2013 – I actually ran my own business, teaching, training people as an educator – and I came in to do a short course with some young people.

Since then, in the Foundation, we’ve been bringing in new programmes and getting new funding. As I’ve seen other members of staff coming up through the ranks, I’ve recognised that I’m a role model for them, especially other black women. If they see that already portrayed in front of them, then obviously they can reach out and attain it.

I also think that for those people who are not from underrepresented backgrounds, they need to see underrepresented people in senior positions as well. It helps them to change their perspective on what it means to be a leader.

You don’t have to try to be different, or look a certain way or whatever. Just be yourself, and that will shine through – that’s the best advice I’ve had.

### **Darren Powell**

**Under-21s head coach, and former player**

I always say that you want to treat people how you would want to be treated. And in most of the players’ so-called stories, I’ve kind of seen that – I’ve been in it. You’ve got to be supportive to them because they’re young people.

I speak to many coaches who have gone on courses to become full-time staff. I did that myself to get my first role here with the Under-14s. From when I started doing courses, to what courses look like now... it’s a massive change.

There are more people who look like myself, or are Asian, or women, foe example. I believe that more and more people from diverse backgrounds are out there. They’re now on courses, in clubs. I’ve seen it and it’s heading in a positive direction. In time, there will be more people from diverse backgrounds within football, or whatever sport.

This club is always open to giving people opportunities. They gave me an opportunity and I see other people from my background having that same opportunity.

### **Alex Wynter**

**Head of Academy Player Care, and former player**

My journey started here as a nine-year- old when I joined the Academy. I went through to the first team, and ended up leaving the year after we got promoted, at 21. I went and explored first-team football elsewhere. Seven years later, at 28, I returned to the club in a Player Care position for the Under-9s to 16s. About a year later, I was then promoted to Head of Academy Player Care.

I think it’s crucial that young people from South London, and across the country, see themselves in people in senior roles and leadership roles. It’s definitely inspiring for them. I looked at people, when I was younger, in those roles and it gives you something to aspire to.

Myself, in the position I’m in now, hopefully I can be a role model to those people, and give them something to aspire to and just to prove that it is possible. My journey will be similar to a lot of young people in Croydon and the South London area, so hopefully people like myself can show them that it is possible to go into leadership roles and senior roles within football, and also organisations away from football.

**Together, our message is loud and clear: everybody is welcome at Crystal Palace F.C.**

### **How to Report Abuse**

You can report discrimination and/or abuse on a matchday by using the **Anti-Social Behaviour Text Alert Service** – the number is **07507 477 669** – or by scanning the **MyVoice QR code**, which can be found around the stadium and inside the front cover of the programme.

Please include as much relevant information as possible. Please include the stand, block, row and seat number you are in, and identify the location of the anti-social behaviour, being as precise as possible. Please state if you wish to remain anonymous in your message.

Security staff will make every effort to deal with the issue. If they are unable to resolve the issue, each text will be followed up and investigated by a club staff member. You can also contact your nearest steward to report issues, who will do their best to help.

We would also encourage supporters to contact customer. [service@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:service@cpfc.co.uk) or [inclusion@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:inclusion@cpfc.co.uk), or to make use of [Kick It Out’s reporting form](https://www.kickitout.org/forms/online-reporting-form).

Every Premier League fixture which takes place between 5th-14th April inclusive will be dedicated to the No Room for Racism campaign, which sees clubs come together to reinforce our collective commitment to promoting and celebrating diversity, and fighting discrimination.

Building pathways & celebrating diversity: Palace support No Room for Racism

Crystal Palace v Brighton and Hove Albion (2025-04-05)

### **Factfile**

- Manager: Fabian Hürzeler
- Position: 8th
- Nickname: Seagulls
- Ground: The American Express Stadium
- Founded: 1901 (123 years ago)

### **What’s the story?**

Fabian Hürzeler's arrival as head coach, has kept the feel good factor going on the south coast after replacing the outgoing Roberto De Zerbi following an 11th-place finish in the Premier League last term.

The German has managed to get Albion firmly in contention for a return to European football. His impact was immediate – with Brighton remaining unbeaten over their first five games, which included an away draw with title-chasing Arsenal, with Hurzeler claiming the August Manager of the Month award.

They managed to remain unbeaten on home soil, until the reverse fixture of Saturday's fixture back in December, with Palace taking all three points in a 3-1 win.

Albion had a similar setback at the start of February when shipping seven goals at high-flying Nottingham Forest. But they have recovered to maintain a push for European football, following that poor showing at the City Ground with six wins on the spin, in all competitions before a 2-2 draw at Champions Manchester City.

The last week has proved more challenging. Any possibility of a Palace-Brighton FA Cup semi-final was ruled out when Albion went out on penalties to Forest at the quarter-final stage. They were then beaten 3-0 by Aston Villa in midweek. At the time of writing, Brighton go into Saturday's clash seven points clear of Palace, although the Eagles have a game in hand.

Overall, sitting eighth in a congested race for Europe still represents a strong first season for Hürzeler, who also became the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history when he joined at 31 years of age last summer.

Albion also made several new additions to their squad, many of whom have adjusted well to the demands of top-flight football, including winger Yankuba Minteh and playmaker Matt O'Riley. But they also have plenty of Premier League experience to call upon, notably in former England internationals James Milner and Danny Welbeck.

### **The boss**

Hürzeler was, for many, a surprise replacement for the much loved Roberto De Zerbi in the summer - but has already become a popular figure on the south coast.

His work at previous club St Pauli was hugely impressive, taking the 2.Bundesliga club away from a relegation battle and eventually winning a place to the top-flight; then-Palace loanee Scott Banks assisted the winner on promotion day.

A German national, Hürzeler was born in Houston, USA, on 26 February 1993 - back when Brighton were languishing ninth in the fourth tier of the pyramid. An aspiring young defensive midfielder, he featured in Bayern Munich’s reserve team before he moved into coaching at the age of just 23, starting off as a player-manager at FC Pipinsried.

In 2020, Hurzeler was named as assistant coach at St Pauli and two years later, he replaced Timo Schultz to become the second-youngest ever head coach in German football's second tier, to truly kickstart his managerial career.

### **Boot in both camps**

Several players have gone up and down the M23, crossing the divide between the clubs, down the decades. [We've actually got a feature looking at five of the best to do so here](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/club/crossing-divide-playing-for-both-crystal-palace-brighton-hove-albion/).

The most notable? Easily, former forward Glenn Murray, who is still held in high regard by both sets of supporters to this day. He is Brighton's second highest all-time goalscorer.

### **Record against Palace**

As mentioned above the Eagles claimed all three points last time the two sides met. Goals from loanee Trevoh Chalobah and two from Ismaïla Sarr did the damage, to inflict Brighton's first home defeat in the league this season.

This gives Palace the opportunity of a first league double over Brighton since 1932. The last time the Eagles notched back-to-back wins over Albion came in September 2011 - a 3-1 win on our first trip to the newly-opened Amex Stadium, however that was six years on from the previous meeting.

Since Brighton's promotion to the top flight, in 2017, they have only lost once at Selhurst Park. That came back in April 2018, the Eagles edging a five-goal thriller - after hitting three goals inside the opening 34 minutes.

This fixture last season ended in a 1-1 draw, Palace taking the lead through a Jordan Ayew strike, but Danny Welbeck's header earning the visitors a point.

### **Did you know?**

Brighton's move to their current home is well documented as one of the longest running stadium sagas in football history. When the club's previous home - the Goldstone Ground - was sold in 1995, the club were evicted just two years later.

This saw Albion play home games at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium, some 74 miles away, and later Withdean Stadium. But what you might not know is that stadium had previously operated as a zoo and a miniature railway attraction. It was also originally a lawn tennis venue, even playing host to a Davis Cup tie between Great Britain and New Zealand in 1939.

Withdean was eventually being developed as an athletics stadium, known in track and field circles for being the home track of GB Olympic gold medallist Steve Ovett.

As anyone who ventured to the venue in the early-2000s will testify, it was an odd place to play football.

Only one stand was permanent, with the others all assembled from scaffolding, while changing rooms came in the form of portable cabins. In 2004, Withdean was voted the fourth worst stadium in history by newspaper *The Observer*. Incidentally, Priestfield which, as mentioned, had also temporarily hosted Albion, was voted the worst.

With the rent on Withdean, their investment in a new stadium and other debts, the club needed to raise £2.5 million to stay afloat. Fundraising efforts were introduced, and ranged from players featuring on nude Christmas cards to a charity single ‘Tom Hark’, which reached No. 17 in the charts.

Brighton did eventually receive full permission for the new home at Falmer in September 2007, with the new ground opening under four years later in July 2011 for a friendly fixture against Tottenham Hotspur. It has since gone onto to host Rugby World Cup and Women's European Championship fixtures.

Away fans who can remember travelling down to Withdean Stadium in years gone by will know all too well that it is a world away from Brighton's modern home.

### **Match details**

- Saturday, 5th April
- 15:00 BST
- Selhurst Park
- [Live audio commentary on Palace TV+](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)

Crystal Palace take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon in the latest instalment of our longstanding rivalry, and before kick-off, it’s time to get the lowdown on our latest opponents…

Crystal palace

Crystal palace

Announcement

Announcement

Details confirmed for FA Cup semi-final v Villa at Wembley

Building pathways & celebrating diversity: Palace support No Room for Racism

Opposition briefing: Everything you need to know about Brighton and Fabian Hürzeler

24/25 KIT SALE

Latest Videos

No Room For Racism

The Full 90: Southampton v Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Extended Highlights: Southampton 1-1 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

2 minute highlights: Southampton 1-1 Crystal Palace

Glasner reflects tough draw

Matheus talks through first goal

6Marc
Guéhi

Announcement

Announcement

Details confirmed for FA Cup semi-final v Villa at Wembley

Building pathways & celebrating diversity: Palace support No Room for Racism

Opposition briefing: Everything you need to know about Brighton and Fabian Hürzeler

24/25 KIT SALE

Latest Videos

No Room For Racism

The Full 90: Southampton v Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Extended Highlights: Southampton 1-1 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

2 minute highlights: Southampton 1-1 Crystal Palace

Glasner reflects tough draw

Matheus talks through first goal

6MarcGuéhi

6Marc
Guéhi