Crystal Palace v Newcastle United Friday 27th November 2020 // 8pm
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Directors Steve Parish, Chairman David Blitzer Joshua Harris Chief Executive Phil Alexander
palace √ newcastle
Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director
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Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell
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Head of Sport Science, Strength & Conditioning
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luka milivojevic
Scott Guyett
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steve parish
Head of Medical Dr. Zaf Iqbal
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darren ambrose
Academy Director
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junior eagles
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Daniel storey
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jadan raymond
Gary Issott Director of U23 Development Mark Bright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott
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Commercial Director Barry Webber Operations Director Sharon Lacey Head of Consumer Sales Mike Pink Head of Ticketing Dan Clarke Head of Legal David Nichol Head of Content & Production
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James Woodroof Head of CRM & Campaigns Tom McGuiness Editor Dan Blazer Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas Contributors Ben Mountain, Ian King, Daniel Storey, Darren Ambrose, Grace Cullen Photography Neil Everitt, Seb Frej, Reuters, Pinnacle, Rex Features Printer Bishops Printers
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palace for life
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1990/91 season
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shaun derry
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kate natkiel
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fixtures & results
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premier league
62 contents
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official matchday programme
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we of course possess what I believe to be some of the best attacking players in the league
I
’m writing to you from my homeland of
Leeds United, you want nothing more than to
Serbia, as I follow the government laws
play the next game right away.
of self-isolation after I tested positive for
COVID-19. I am asymptomatic, so I am feeling well.
We have all seen Ebere do what he did against Leeds time and time again on the training pitch. A performance and goal like
It is strange times we all continue to live and
that was something the team and I knew
work through, and I understand each and
was coming. But still, it is crazy to think Ebs
everyone’s important role in taking this virus
achieved that in just his seventh Premier
and safety measures seriously.
League appearance.
But I cannot deny my frustrations from
I hope that tonight’s game against
a footballing point of view when I found out I
Newcastle is the last game I am required to
had tested positive. It has been a stop-start
sit out, and that I can be back amongst the
season for me so far, which began with a
matchday action for our trip to West Brom
period of self-isolation after I returned from
next weekend.
Serbia in August. Of course, my sending off against
Like us, Newcastle will be pleased with the start they have made this season, securing
Wolves meant I would miss the game
some excellent results. In players like Miguel
against Burnley on Monday regardless, and
Almirón and Allan Saint-Maximin they have
Newcastle tonight. But my role as captain
creative talents that we know we must focus
is not only required for the 90 minutes on
on. However, we of course possess what
a pitch.
I believe to be some of the best attacking
It is disappointing for me to be away from
players in the league. We can be confident in
the squad in training during the build-up to
our approach tonight and confident in knowing
these games. However, I have remained active
we can secure the three points.
in team meetings via video call and have
I continue to hope we are getting closer to
been speaking regularly to my teammates.
your return. But until that excellent day when
The international break came at the
you are back inside Selhurst Park, please, like
wrong time for us, because after such an impressive all-round performance against
me, from wherever you are watching… Make some noise!
The captain
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official matchday programme
11 Eberechi Eze is off the mark in red and blue. Here, after a matchday of firsts against Leeds United, the summer signing reflects on other firsts from his career with Daniel Blazer.
main interview
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W
ith the Club Historian now able to mark a one in the ‘goals’ and
‘assists’ columns, Eberechi Eze can firmly say he has arrived back in south London after a man-ofthe-match performance against Leeds United. The five-star 90 minutes against Marcelo Bielsa’s side saw many, including Palace TV’s Chris Grierson, rue taking Eze out of their Fantasy Football lineups - “Got what you deserved!” Eze joked post-match. But it is clear, as the No.25 talks us through his reaction to Wilfried Zaha’s advice, the support from his friends and his unwavering self-belief, Eze fully ‘got what he deserved’ now he is able to call himself a Premier League goalscorer.
First player you idolised as a child? “Ronaldinho,” Eze replies without a moment’s hesitation. “Such a skilful player and talented guy, who always looked like he enjoyed playing football so much. “The way he played was the first style of football I looked at and thought: ‘That’s what I want to try and achieve eventually.’” Playing with the smile on his face that he did, plus opening his Palace account in such eyecatching fashion, it’s fair to say Eze is on that path. But where does he stand on Ronaldinho’s famous edge-of-the-
official matchday programme
The way he played was the first style of football I looked at and thought: ‘That’s what I want to try and achieve eventually
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box goal against Chelsea in the Champions League? “Pure genius,” this time Eze barely lets us finish the question before defending his idol. “I don’t think I have seen a goal like that since, which means it must be something special. “Moments like that are the reason why I look at him and aspire to get to that level.” We don’t fancy dredging up the England ghosts of World Cups past, so left the David Seaman lob to be debated for another time.
First kit you remember having growing up? “Manchester United shirt from the Ruud van Nistelrooy times, when they were sponsored by Vodafone.” But weren’t you an Arsenal fan growing up, Ebs? “I don’t know why I didn’t end up supporting them as a kid. No idea where that shirt even came from.” We then ask Eze whether he had anyone’s name and number on the back of his shirt. The answer tells you a lot about his character. “You know what? I never had anyone’s name on the back of my shirts. Just wasn’t my thing. That was until I got ‘Bola’ on the back of an Arsenal shirt after my friend from school, Marc Bola, turned pro there.” It is hard not to smile at that support of a friend, especially considering competition during school would’ve no doubt been
main interview