Wolverhampton Wanderers U21

Premier League International Cup

Crystal Palace

Premier League

Nottingham Forest

The City Ground

Tottenham Hotspur

Selhurst Park

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Molineux Stadium

Crystal Palace U21

Total shots

Shots on target

Corners

Passes completed

Free kicks

Offsides

**The scenes of jubilation which greeted the full-time whistle at Selhurst Park were befitting of the team's incredible journey to that point, which started just shy of a year ago – 23rd May, 2023 – at the same ground.**

**This is the story of how they did it...**

### Introducing the Premier League International Cup

The Premier League International Cup pits 12 Category 1 sides from England against 12 of the best European sides in three separate groups of eight.

In each group, four English sides were drawn against four European sides. The English sides played each European side once, and did not play one another, with all ties contested in England.

The top two teams from each group, along with two of the best third-place sides, progressed to the quarter-finals.

Palace this season entered the tournament for the second time in their history, having [finished runners-up last season to Jong PSV](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/academy/crystal-palace-u21-season-review-2223/).

The Young Eagles enjoyed a fine run to the final in their first-ever entry into the competition, memorably putting seven goals past Paris Saint-Germain in the group stages; overcoming Liverpool on Merseyside; and defeating Valencia Mestalla in a nerve-racking penalty shootout 

But despite largely having the better of the play in normal time, Palace's dreams last season fell at the final hurdle in the additional 30 minutes against Jong PSV, the youth side of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, who play in the second-tier and whose greater experience eventually told.

PL International Cup Final Highlights: Palace 1-3 PSV

Entering the tournament in the group stages again this season, Palace were drawn in Group C to face Athletic Club, Benfica, Feyenoord and Monaco.

### Group stage: Athletic Club

#### 1-1 draw

**VBS Community Stadium, Sutton; Wednesday, 27th September 2023**

The first opponents for Powell’s side, back in September, were Athletic Club B. The Spanish giants are famed for their policy of only utilising players born, or trained in, the Basque Country -  an autonomous region in the north of Spain and southwestern France.

This policy extends to the youth sides and has seen the club produce the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Aymeric Laporte and Iñaki Williams.

Athletic Club B play in the Segunda Federación Group II, the fourth tier of Spanish football. They were recently relegated from the Primera Federación - Group II last season and are coached by former player Carlos Gurpegui. He came through the ranks at Basconia, an affiliate club which feeds directly into Athletic Club B.

They had previously competed in every iteration of the Premier League International Cup, apart from last season, though they have never made it beyond the quarter-finals.

In their [opening clash with the Basque giants, Palace drew 1-1](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/crystal-palace-athletic-club-bilbao-premier-league-international-cup-2324/) - with Seán Grehan's header in the first-half being cancelled out by Aimar Duñabeitia.

A point gave the Eagles a basis to work on – their campaign was off to a strong start.

International Cup Highlights: Crystal Palace 1-1 Athletic Club

### Group stage: AS Monaco

#### 3-1 win

**VBS Community Stadium, Sutton; Tuesday, 24th October 2023**

Hailing from one of the biggest and most successful clubs in French football, Palace faced a stern test against one of the most reputable Academies in France back in October.

Monaco's academy has produced global football superstars such as Kylian Mbappé, Thierry Henry, Lillian Thuram, Emmanuel Petit, and David Trezeguet.

AS Monaco Groupe Elite, as they are known, previously competed in the Championnat National 2 - the fourth tier of the French football pyramid. They were relegated at the end of 2021/22 and mostly play friendlies against various French and European sides.

Monaco have been regulars in the Premier League International Cup since 2019/20 and also recorded a quarter-final finish in 2020.

Palace took on a strong Monaco side as they welcomed them to the VBS Community Stadium, but they were no match for new summer signing Matheus França as he scored the opening goal in his first-ever game in red and blue.

A stunning strike from Malcolm Ebiowei and a late breakaway goal from Roshaun Mathurin saw [the Eagles emerge 3-1 winners to move top of their group](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/crystal-palace-monaco-premier-league-international-cup-2324/).

U21 Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-1 AS Monaco

### Group stage: SL Benfica

#### 2-1 win

**VBS Community Stadium, Sutton; Wednesday, 6th December 2023**

The most decorated club in Portuguese football, also known as ‘The Eagles', Benfica are not only one of the big three clubs in Portugal, but also one of the top 10 clubs in UEFA’s official rankings, participating in 43 seasons of European football, second only to Real Madrid.

Benfica’s Academy have produced a number of exceptional players throughout the years including the likes of Rui Costa, Ruében Dias and Nené.

They currently compete in the Liga Portugal 2, the second tier of Portuguese football. Last season, they registered a 15th-place finish.

The Portuguese Eagles have competed in all but one iteration of the Premier League International Cup, reaching the quarter-final on two occasions.

In their final home game of 2023, Palace hosted Benfica and managed to come away with all three points.

An early Mathurin goal followed by a second-half strike from Ademola Ola-Adebomi saw the [south London Eagles come up trumps against the Portuguese Eagles](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/crystal-palace-sl-benfica-premier-league-international-cup-u21-2324/) to top the group once more.

International Cup Highlights: Crystal Palace 2-1 SL Benfica

### Group stage: Feyenoord

#### 1-1 draw

**Crystal Palace Academy; Wednesday, 17th January 2024**

Palace’s final opponents in the group were Feyenoord. The Dutch senior side won the Eredivisie last season and have historically enjoyed a strong presence of Academy graduates in their squad.

Some of the graduates from Feyenoord’s Academy over the years include Nathan Aké, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Robin van Persie and Georginio Wijnaldum.

They currently compete in the Divisie 1 U21, the top division of youth football in the Netherlands.

The Dutch outfit have competed in four out of the seven iterations of the Premier League International Cup, though they have never progressed beyond the group stage.

With two wins and a draw, Palace only needed a point against Feyenoord to progress to the quarter-finals – and, after a battling display, they achieved just that.

An upset looked like it was on the cards as the Dutch outfit took the lead early on, though Luke Plange quickly equalised five minutes later.

[The match finished as a 1-1 draw,](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/report-plange-pounces-as-palace-u21s-reach-last-eight-of-international-cup/) and that was enough to see the south Londoners through to the quarter-final.

International Cup Highlights: Palace 1-1 Feyenoord

### Quarter-finals: Wolverhampton Wanderers

#### 3-0 win

**VBS Community Stadium, Sutton; Monday, 26th February 2024**

After progressing through the group stage, Palace faced domestic opponents Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League International Cup quarter-final. 

Wolves had previously topped their group going into this game, with wins against PSV, Sparta Prague and Nice. They also recorded a draw against Hertha Berlin.

Palace duly welcomed the West Midlands outfit to the VBS Community Stadium, and managed to [put three past them with no reply](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/crystal-palace-wolverhampton-wanderers-u21-premier-league-international-cup-quarter-final/).

A brace for Danny Imray, which were two brilliantly taken goals, along with a fine finish from Mathurin saw Darren Powell's side ease into the semi-finals with their fourth win in their last five games across all competitions at the time.

International Cup Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

### Semi-finals: Everton

#### 4-2 win

**VBS Community Stadium, Sutton; Monday, 26th February 2024**

The semi-finals saw Palace paired with Merseyside outfit Everton at Selhurst Park – and something of a cup thriller ensued.

Fine finishes from Franco Umeh, Trialist, Imray and Justin Devenny saw our U21s soar past the Toffees 4-2 – but they were made to work for it.

A vociferous home crowd of just shy of 800 at Selhurst roared on the boys in red and blue, with Palace going into a commanding position with Umeh and Trialist goals either side of half-time from cut-backs – only for Jenson Metcalfe's low cross to evade everyone and go straight in.

There was plenty of space for Palace to utilise on the counter-attack as Everton poured bodies forwards in search of an equaliser, and Imray did just that with a tidy near-post finish.

But with five minutes remaining, there was a grandstand finish as Metcalfe won and scored a penalty.

Just as the attacks kept on coming, in the third minute of injury time, Palace intercepted the ball on the edge of the box, Mathurin played a diagonal ball forwards, Trialist – two-on-one – headed down for Devenny on the edge of the area – and the midfielder dispatched his effort with aplomb.

Counter-attacking football at its best – the game, the tie, the occasion in the Premier League International Cup, was once again Crystal Palace's. 

Two final appearances in two seasons in the competition;  Palace were up for a shot at revenge.

Premier League International Cup Highlights: Crystal Palace 4-2 Everton

### Final: Jong PSV

#### 1-0 win

**Selhurst Park; Wednesday, 15th May 2024**

Heading into this year's final, much like last season, PSV had enjoyed a strong showing in the tournament. 

The Dutch team had won three of their four group-stage games, which included 7-0 thrashing of Leeds United, before coming from behind at Stamford Bridge to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

It was a similar story for the PSV in the semi-final, as they were 2-0 down at half-time against West Ham United, but somehow fought back to win 3-2 in stoppage time.

But this time, the night belonged to Crystal Palace.

A superb counter-attacking display, capped by Franco Umeh’s deflected effort midway through the second-half, saw the Eagles take Jong PSV’s Premier League International Cup crown with a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park.

Premier League International Cup Final Highlights: Crystal Palace 1-0 PSV Eindhoven

They were backed by another strong attendance – with over 2,000 tickets sold ahead of kick-off – on a glorious early summer’s eve in SE25.

The Eagles admittedly rode their luck at times throughout the game, with goalkeeper and captain Joe Whitworth an outstanding performer between the posts – with two first-half saves in particular of the highest calibre.

But that display, coupled with Franco Umeh’s deflected second-half strike, and an incredible show of resilience throughout the young Palace team was enough, on this occasion, to keep the trophy in south London.

“It’s massive, massive \[for the club\] – and for the players as well,” head coach Powell told Palace TV. “I say for the players, but coming here last year and losing the final… we couldn't do it again. We couldn't do it again, and that was the mantra.

"It wasn't our best performance, but we were up against a really good side. They were really good side last year, and again, they've just got very good players. And then we rode our luck, yes, but that's football. That's football.

“I said before the game: it's about creating memories. As they go on in their life, life's all about memories, right? And wherever they go in the game, you shouldn't forget these memories.

“This \[the Palace Academy\] is a school of football. You go into the professional game, and you look back - it's still part of you. That's why I said ‘create memories. I know it was a bad memory last year, but let's create a good memory and carry that for the rest of your days.’”

This night was theirs – forever.

Crystal Palace Under-21s emerged triumphant against Jong PSV in the final of the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday night – becoming just the second English Academy to claim the European trophy.

Palace's Premier League International Cup triumph: How they did it

Crystal Palace U21 v Feyenoord U21 (2024-01-17)

Crystal Palace U21 v Benfica U21 (2023-12-06)

Crystal Palace U21 v Monaco U21 (2023-10-24)

Crystal Palace U21 v Athletic Club U21 (2023-09-27)

Crystal Palace U21 v Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 (2024-02-26)

Crystal Palace U21 v Everton U21 (2024-04-16)

Crystal Palace U21 v PSV Eindhoven U21 (2024-05-15)

Darren Powell reacts to back-to-back cup wins

The side are currently on a nine-game unbeaten run since returning from the winter break, with six wins and three draws. A key factor to this has been not only a strong mindset, but also the shape the side plays as Powell explains: “We were playing in a shape that has complemented us.

“The boys know: no matter what shape you play, it's the commitment from the individuals within it. They've been committed within it. They've been showing great character in games, where they've come from behind and kept going. That's something that we're kind of playing on.

“The mentality and character of the group, because they are a good set of guys and they work hard every day, we just need to translate that into games. As you know, confidence is a key thing.

“Once you win a couple of games and you believe in what you're doing, you can win more games. I think that's kind of helped us.”

The side is [building on success against Wolverhampton Wanderers](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/crystal-palace-wolverhampton-wanderers-u21-premier-league-international-cup-quarter-final/), where they put three past them with no reply to make the Premier League International Cup semi-finals for the second successive season, and also a turnaround in league performances that have seen them climb up the table.

Premier League Cup Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-2 Leicester City

“Yeah, \[mentality has shone throughout when we compete in cup competitions\]. We spoke about it earlier in the week in terms of the International Cup. We got to the final and obviously we didn't win, but knockout stages, it's a one-off game. Who plays best on the day wins.

“The boys want to go on a run and they've shown it in the games. I've said to them, let's not let the season just roll out and just be league games. Let's have something to look forward to \[at the end of the league phase\] and hopefully we can look forward to something.”

The Premier League 2 has [a new format this season](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/academy/premier-league-2-changes-swiss-style-format-2324/), which sees the initial stage conclude in late April before the top 16 sides face each other in a play-off scenario. 

On the game against Leicester itself, Powell said: “\[It was a\] game of two halves. First half, we were good in terms of setting the press and getting after them.

“Second half, obviously, they had nothing to lose so they committed players forward. For us, it was kind of a shadow of our true selves. I said to the boys that the game on Monday \[Wolves\] took a lot out of them and you can see in the performance, we were giving the ball away a bit too cheaply. If you give the ball away, you can get punished.”

Finally, turning his attention to January signing Craig Farquhar, Powell was full of praise for the centre-back: “He's a good defender, \[Craig Farquhar\]. 

“We've seen him before we signed him and he's going to be a good addition. It's not been easy for him in terms of intensity of games and where he's come from, but he's been adapting well. 

“He's been on the grass and he can defend the box really well, which we need. He's going to be a good addition for us and we've seen in his performances as well.”

Speaking to Palace TV+ after securing progression to the next phase of the Premier League Cup on Friday, Under-21s head coach Darren Powell revealed a key mindset the players carry into their games and beyond.


Powell: Once you win a couple games and start believing, you win more

Crystal Palace U21 v Leicester City U21 (2024-03-01)

Stoke City U21 v Crystal Palace U21 (2024-03-04)

## Summary

- Powell makes four changes to the side that drew with Leicester

- Devenny swings an early free kick over the bar

- Chimoze is played through on goal, but Whitworth smothers his attempt

- Imray gives Palace the lead 15 minutes in

- Whitworth saves Barnett’s free kick

- Palace almost find their second through Farquhar, whose header rattles the crossbar

- **HT: Palace 1-0 Wolves**

- Wolves start the second-half brighter and look dangerous on the counter

- Kaleta volleys over early on in the second-half

- Imray grabs his second, lobbing Jeacock to double the advantage

- Wolves send players forward, but are unable to find a way to halve the deficit

- Mathurin tucks away the third, after running at an exposed defence

- **FT: Palace 3-0 Wolves**

- **Palace progress to the Premier League International Cup semi-finals**

After a [1-1 draw in their Premier League 2 clash with Leicester City last week](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/leicester-city-crystal-palace-u21-premier-league-2-2324/), Crystal Palace Under-21s hosted domestic opponents Wolverhampton Wanderers in the quarter-final of the Premier League International Cup.

Darren Powell made four changes to last Monday’s side, with Jake Grante, Danny Imray, Victor Akinwale and Jadan Raymond all coming in for Kaden Rodney, Joe Sheridan, Chris Francis and Luke Plange.

Palace got the first sight of goal within the opening five minutes of the match. Raymond was fouled a handful of yards outside of the Wolves penalty area, which resulted in Justin Devenny curling the resulting free-kick narrowly over the crossbar.

Wolves responded quickly as Leon Chiwome latched on to a long through-ball inside the Palace box, though he was denied by an onrushing Joe Whitworth, who reacted quickly to smother the threat.

After a short, cagey period where the two sides sounded each other out, Palace found the breakthrough in the 15th minute mark following a fine team move. 

In a counter-attack that was launched by Whitworth, Jack Wells-Morrison fed Roshaun Mathurin on the left flank.

The midfielder checked back on to his right foot before whipping in a cross that was met by Imray, who slipped in front of his defender to bring the ball down and poke past Zach Jeacock in the Wolves goal.

The visitors attempted to answer swiftly and forced Whitworth into action again, getting down low to his left to stop Ty Barnett’s free kick from a similar range to Devenny’s earlier effort.

Palace maintained their good start, however, and continued to put Wolves under pressure. In the third of a flurry of corners, Farquhar rose highest to meet Mathurin’s delivery, with the defender’s header crashing off the underside of the bar as the Eagles came within inches of doubling their lead.

Centre-back Alfie Pond headed just wide for Wolves later in the half, but the visitors found chances hard to come by and headed into half-time a goal down.

Wolves emerged from the break the brighter of the two sides. Marvin Kaleta found room on the right-hand side and his cross found Aaron Keto-Diyawa, who volleyed over from close range.

The visitors posed most of a threat on the counter, with Noah Watson stepping up to break up an attack led by Kaleta 10 minutes into the second half.

Though Wolves were generally in control of possession after the interval, the hosts extended their advantage 66 minutes in. Wells-Morrison played a neat first-time pass over the top to Imray after Palace picked the ball up in midfield.

Jeacock came charging out of the Wolves goal but Imray got there first, lobbing the ‘keeper from outside the box to secure his and Palace's second.

Palace were content to absorb pressure after doubling the lead, with Wolves throwing players forward as they sought a way back into the game.

With Wolves committing players up the pitch, Palace took advantage of an exposed defence and grabbed a third. 

Grante, making his debut for the Under-21s, won possession back and fed substitute Adler Nascimiento, who returned to the squad having been sidelined by an injury since August.

The ball found its way to Imray – at the centre of many of Palace’s ventures forward – who played in Mathurin in acres of space. Mathurin took the ball into the box, squared up his defender and fired past Jeacock to wrap things up.

The win sends the Eagles into the semi-finals of the International Cup for the second successive season. Powell’s side will face either Everton, PSV Eindhoven or West Ham United in the last four.

**Palace:** Whitworth (GK), Imray (V. Williams, 90), Grante, Farquhar, Watson, Reid, Devenny, Wells-Morrison, Mathurin, Akinwale (Nascimento, 70) (Francis, 90)), Raymond (Trialist, 84)

Subs not used: Izquierdo, Agbinone, S. Williams.

**Wolves:** Jeacock (GK), Kaleta, Ojinnaka (Tipton, 75), Pond, Hubner, Griffiths, Whittingham, Esen (Holman, 70), Barnett, Keto-Diyawa, Chiwome.

Subs not used: Amos, Mabete, Rees, Ashworth, Edozie.

Crystal Palace Under-21s advanced to the semi-finals of the Premier League International Cup, as a Danny Imray double and a late goal from Roshaun Mathurin gave the Eagles a comfortable 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Report & Highlights: Palace ease past Wolves to make International Cup semi-final

They will first welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s in the quarter-final of the Premier League International Cup tomorrow (Monday, 26th February (19:00 GMT)) before hosting Leicester City U21s in the Premier League Cup four days later on Friday, 1st March (19:00 GMT).

There are tickets available for both of these clashes from just £2 - [click HERE for more information](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/tickets/crystal-palace-wolverhampton-wanderers-leicester-city-u21s-cup-tickets/). 

On the test against Wolves, Powell said: “It won't be easy. They're a good side, we've got good players, we've watched them a couple of times and obviously we've played them earlier in the season where we went there and we narrowly lost \[3-2\]. 

“It won't be easy, they play, from what we've seen, a similar formation to us so we've just got to make sure we compete and win duels all over the pitch.

“Obviously it's a knockout game which is exciting for everyone, we've been here before, whether that's an advantage or not, but it's a game we should be looking forward to.

“It's a game in a competition that we want to progress in and some of our players have been in the final last year, in our first entry of the competition. For us, we want to progress and as long as we apply ourselves properly, it gives us the best opportunity to progress.” 

Buy tickets for Palace v Wolves U21s

Facing domestic opposition in the International Cup doesn’t faze the U21s head coach, as he goes on to add: “It's what we entail on a weekly basis, facing a club from our own shores, but for me it's more about what it actually is: a knockout game.

“If you're not at it, if you're not fully motivated, if you're not physically right, then you can lose to whoever you play in a knockout situation - you can go out, so we've got to make sure we're all fully prepared and ready to go. 

“You build on \[the group stage performance\] and you have the knowledge that we played good teams in the competition and that we've competed and done well against them.

“It's now about not switching off or thinking or psychologically thinking this is a league game, it's actually a cup game, an international cup game which we want to do well in. 

“That's our focus and that's what I'll be telling the boys, that this is a good opportunity for us to hopefully progress and get to the final again.”

The side previously faced domestic opposition at the same stage last season, overcoming Liverpool away from home with a 1-0 victory before they agonisingly lost out to PSV after extra-time in the final.

Turning his attention to the round of 16 clash against Leicester four days later in the Premier League Cup, Powell said: “The results were up and down \[in the PL Cup group\], and I remember we did a similar thing last year in giving an opportunity to give players who hadn't had much minutes some time to play.

“It was the same kind of pattern as last season, we'll win one, we'll lose one. It was up and down. Thankfully, we had the quality to progress and in the last game \[of the group stage\] against Ipswich, where they had to win and all we needed was a point, we went there and won.

“It shows the mentality of the boys as well, the seriousness that we want to take the competition as well.”

“We'll give it a proper fight, give it a go and try to progress in the two games. We're looking for two wins out of two in the next week. After that, we've got a lot of games, two game weeks, which again is good for the boys to play in, to recover and respect that process.

“The game we played against Leicester U21s last Monday, we had to move a couple of players about. It was a positive for us to see some of our lads go up and train and be in the first-team squad for Everton. 

Buy tickets for Palace v Leicester U21s

Premier League Cup Highlights: Ipswich Town 0-1 Crystal Palace

Indeed, Powell’s side was affected by players like Franco Umeh and Jadan Raymond featuring in the first-team side, but this is seen as a positive: “It’s an opportunity for everyone \[when players move up the age groups and into the first-team\].

“It has a positive knock on effect: the boys from the U21s go up to the first-team, the U18s come up to the U21s and the U16s go up to the U18s and so on, which is always good for the players. 

“At this time of the year, players in the second half of the season should be stretched and challenged because ultimately, next season, that's the level they will be playing. It's good exposure for the 21s to go up and train with the first-team, especially with the new manager.

“There will be an absolute positive buzz around the first-team and our boys getting that exposure and being part of that buzz is a good thing.”

Subscribe to Palace TV+ to watch both games

Finally, playing in front of a home crowd for both fixtures is an added bonus for Powell and his side: “We always respect the fans when they come and support the players. 

“We do hear them and I'll always ask if they’ve got the time to come out and support the 21s, because they are the 12th man. There's such a positive and strong effect when the supporters come out and give their time and come and watch us, it’s massive to the players as well.

“We will need them in the two games. I always really appreciate it when the supporters come out and back the 21s.”

*If you can't make it to either of these games, you can watch every minute of the action LIVE on Palace TV+ -* [click HERE for more information](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)*.*

Looking ahead to Crystal Palace Under-21s’ two knockout clashes next week, head coach Darren Powell outlined his thoughts and approach to each game.

Premier League International CupVBS Community Stadium

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