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CRYSTAL PALACE v WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 18th April 2015, 3:00pm
Selhurst Park

MATCH NOTES

The game will be the 51st league and cup meeting between Albion and Crystal Palace. The Baggies currently lead the way in terms of victories with 21 compared to the Eagles' 15.

Albion's last game on this date came in 2004 when a late Jason Koumas goal gave Gary Megson's promotion-chasing team a 1-0 win at Sunderland.

Crystal Palace's last game to take place on this date came in 2009, the Eagles beating Derby County 1-0 in a Championship clash at Selhurst Park.

Albion have won just two of the last twelve league and cup meetings of the two clubs.

The Baggies are winless in 10 away matches (D5, L5) since the 1-0 victory at Leicester City back in November.

The Eagles will be attempting to equal a top-flight club record of five successive wins.

Albion have not conceded three goals or more in four consecutive top-flight games since 1985.

Seventeen goals have been scored in the previous five Premier League meetings - an average of 3.4 goals per game.

Albion's last six games: Leicester City (H) 2-3; Queens Park Rangers (H) 1-4; Manchester City (A) 0-3; Stoke City (H) 1-0; Aston Villa (A, FAC) 0-2; Aston Villa (A) 1-2.

Crystal Palace's last six games: Sunderland (A) 4-1; Manchester City (H) 2-1; Stoke City (A) 2-1; Queens Park Rangers (H) 3-1; Southampton (A) 0-1; West Ham United (A) 3-1.

TEAM NEWS

Albion

Nigerian striker Brown Ideye is a major doubt due to a knee injury but winger Callum McManaman returns following his foot problem.

Youssouf Mulumbu continues to serve his three game suspension whilst Ben Foster (cruciate ligament) remains out long-term.

Crystal Palace

Marouane Chamakh and Fraizer Campbell (both hamstring), Lee Chung-yong (foot) and Jordon Mutch (thigh) are all sidelined for the Eagles but Pape Souare and James McArthur should be fit despite suffering knocks during the 4-1 win at Sunderland last weekend.

MATCH ODDS

Result

Albion Win: 16/5, Crystal Palace Win: 19/20, Draw: 9/4.

First Goalscorer

Albion: Berahino 7/1, Ideye 8/1, Anichebe 8/1, Sessegnon 10/1, McManaman 11/1, Gardner 12/1, Morrison 14/1, Brunt 25/1, Dawson 25/1, McAuley 28/1, Lescott 28/1, Baird 33/1, Yacob 33/1, Fletcher 33/1.

Crystal Palace: Murray 9/2, Gayle 11/2, Sanogo 11/2, Puncheon 13/2, Bolasie 13/2, Ameobi 7/1, Zaha 8/1, Jedinak 11/1, Boateng 14/1, Ledley 14/1, McArthur 20/1, Dann 25/1, Hangeland 28/1, Delaney 33/1, Ward 33/1, Kelly 33/1, Souare 33/1.

No Goalscorers: 8/1.

www.williamhill.com

REFEREE

Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire)

Moss has officiated three Albion games so far this season - the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa in March, the 1-1 draw at West Ham United on New Year's Day and the 4-0 win at home to Burnley last September.

He took charge of three Albion games during 2013/14 - the 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester United in March, the 1-1 draw at home to Hull in December and the 4-1 defeat at Liverpool in October.

The West Yorkshire official has taken charge of three Palace games this season - the 3-2 FA Cup win at Southampton in January, the 3-1 win at home to Liverpool in November and the 2-1 defeat at Arsenal back in August on the opening day of the season.

Moss has handed out 104 yellow cards and eight red in the 30 games he has refereed so far this season.

A full run-down of Moss' history refereeing the Baggies can be found here

TICKET INFORMATION

Albion were allocated 2,882 tickets for the game priced at £32 adults, £21 seniors (over 65s) and students, £16 juniors (under 18s).

WEATHER FORECAST

Sunny, 13°C.

FIXTURE HISTORY

The first ever meeting of Albion and Crystal Palace came in a friendly game which took place at Selhurst Park in January 1930. Two goals from Joe Carter saw the Baggies run out 2-1 winners.

The first competitive meeting of the two clubs took place in September 1969 during Palace’s first ever season in the top-flight, Albion running out 3-1 winners at Selhurst Park. Danny Hegan, Bobby Hope and Jeff Astle scored for the Baggies whilst Cliff Jackson hit the hosts’ solitary reply. The return game at The Hawthorns in January saw Albion complete the double over Palace with a 3-2 victory, Jeff Astle hitting a hat-trick for Alan Ashman’s team.

Albion’s biggest win over Crystal Palace came during the 1988 season, the Baggies winning a thrilling game 5-3 at The Hawthorns. Robert Hopkins, John Paskin and a Don Goodman hat-trick helping to overcome a Palace side that featured future Arsenal legend Ian Wright who missed a penalty in the game.

The Londoners’ best win over Albion came in February 1973 at The Hawthorns when two goals each from Alan Whittle and Derek Possee gave the visitors a 4-0 victory.

Probably the most important meeting of the two clubs came in the final game of the 2001/02 season when Albion needed three points to clinch a place in the Premier League for the first time. Goals from Darren Moore and Bob Taylor in front of a full-house at The Hawthorns gave the Baggies a 2-0 win and a place in English football’s elite.

Albion’s recent record against Palace is poor having won just two of the last twelve league and cup meetings.

A full fixture history between the two teams can be found here

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Tuesday 01 February 2005 - Albion 2-2 Crystal Palace - Premier League - The Hawthorns
Saturday 27 March 2004 - Albion 2-0 Crystal Palace - League Division One - The Hawthorns
Saturday 20 September 2003 - Crystal Palace 2-2 Albion - League Division One - Selhurst Park
Sunday 21 April 2002 - Albion 2-0 Crystal Palace - League Division One - The Hawthorns
Tuesday 26 October 1999 - Crystal Palace 0-2 Albion - League Division One - Selhurst Park
Saturday 26 November 1988 - Albion 5-3 Crystal Palace - Second Division - The Hawthorns
Saturday 4 October 1980 - Crystal Palace 0-1 Albion - First Division - Selhurst Park

LAST LEAGUE MEETING AT SELHURST PARK

Crystal Palace 3-1 Albion
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 8th February 2014, 3:00pm

Crystal Palace: Speroni; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Ledley; Dikgacoi, Jedinak; Puncheon (Murray 71), Ince, Bolasie (Parr 75); Chamakh (Thomas 83). Subs not used: Hennessey, Gabbidon, Bannan, Gayle.

Goalscorers: Ince 15, Ledley 27, Chamakh 69 (pen)

Albion: Foster; Jones, McAuley, Dawson, Ridgewell (Sinclair HT); Yacob (Berahino 71), Mulumbu; Gera (Thievy HT), Morrison, Brunt; Anichebe. Subs not used: Myhill (gk), Lugano, Vydra, Dorrans.

Goalscorer: Thievy 46

Booked: Yacob 64 (foul), Brunt 79 (foul)

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Attendance: 24,501

Tom Ince and Joe Ledley scored debut goals as Crystal Palace moved three points clear of the relegation zone with a win over West Brom. On-loan Blackpool man Ince prodded in a loose ball after 14 minutes and then his corner was headed in by Ledley. Thievy Bifouma came on for his West Brom debut at half-time and scored after just 36 seconds. But Marouane Chamakh scored a penalty after being fouled by Ben Foster as the Baggies slipped into the bottom three.

With Scott Dann also making his debut at centre-back, Pulis can only be delighted with the difference made by Ince and former Celtic man Ledley, who played at left-back. Ince, 22, spoke to a host of Premier League clubs last month and wasted little time in proving that he can thrive at the top level. With the former Liverpool forward playing behind Chamakh, with Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon wide, the Eagles looked greatly improved as an attacking force, and scored more than once in a match for just the third time in the league this season. The victory also made it 16 points from a possible 21 at Selhurst Park since Pulis, whose side have won six of their past 12, took over in November.

After a wretched first-half display, West Brom improved after Pepe Mel threw on on-loan Espanyol forward Thievy and Scott Sinclair at the break. But after four games in charge, the Spaniard is still looking for his first victory and the Baggies have only won once since they beat Palace at The Hawthorns in November. Victor Anichebe scored his first goal for West Brom in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool last time out but wasted a fine opportunity to give his side the lead here, shooting straight at Julian Speroni after collecting a fine pass from Chris Brunt. Palace always looked more incisive and Bolasie headed straight at Foster from Puncheon's cross. Pulis's side moved ahead when Chamakh's knock-down fell for Bolasie and, as the French winger surged forward, a loose ball fell for Ince to guide a shot into the corner. Craig Dawson then shot over for the visitors, but they trailed by two soon afterwards. No-one tracked Ledley's run and the Welshman met Ince's corner with a firm header from five yards that left Foster with no chance.

West Brom could do little with their greater possession but Mel's double change at the break paid off within 40 seconds. Thievy found Anichebe in the area and then got on the end of the return ball before clipping past Speroni. Palace were forced deeper but went close when Damien Delaney flicked on Ince's corner only for Billy Jones to block on the line. Speroni pushed a powerful effort from James Morrison around the post and the goalkeeper also denied Sinclair. West Brom were far more threatening but Palace were rarely stretched and added a third after Chamakh went down under Foster's tackle after a swift break. The Moroccan found the corner with the resulting penalty for his fifth league goal of the season. Saido Berahino and Anichebe both went close to a second for West Brom but Palace were also boosted by the return of Glenn Murray as they secured a vital win.

BBC Sport

CURRENT CONNECTIONS

Baggies' boss Tony Pulis spent a short but successful spell in charge of Crystal Palace between November 2013 and August 2014.

Pulis' current backroom team of David Kemp and Gerry Francis also worked for him at Palace. Both men also played for the Eagles during their careers.

Jerome Thomas joined Albion on a free transfer in August 2009 after being released by Portsmouth. He spent four fairly successful seasons at The Hawthorns before his contract expired in the summer of 2013. After not being offered a new deal by Albion, the winger joined Palace on a two year contract.

PAST CONNECTIONS

Amongst the players to have turned out at various levels for both clubs are: Ronnie Allen, Jack Bannister, Paul Barron, Craig Beattie, Trevor Benjamin, Billy Birch, Jeroen Boere, Ally Brown, David Burnside, Peter Burridge, Billy Davies, Ian Edwards, Danny Gabbidon, George Garratt, George Handley, Adam Haywood, Charlie Hewitt, Roy Horobin, George Irwin, George Johnson, Derek Kevan, Jack Lewis, Steve Mackenzie, Tommy Magee, Paul McShane, Tommy Magee, Tony Millington, Pat Mulcahy, Paddy Mulligan, Shaun Murphy, Darren Patterson, Arthur Perry, Kevin Phillips, Ray Potter, Dick Roberts, Alex Ross, Scott Sinclair, Keith Smith, Wilfred Smith, Arthur Swift, John Thomas, Garry Thompson, Jeff Turton, Ben Watson, Brian Whitehouse, Chris Whyte, Brian Wood and George Wood.

Baggies' legend Tommy Magee was a player-coach at Palace for a short spell during the mid-1930s; Dick Graham was trainer at Albion and later manager at Palace; Former Albion scout Arthur Rowe also managed Palace; Albion reserve goalkeeper George Irwin played for, coached, acted as trainer and managed Palace; Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Mike Kelly coached at both clubs.

ALL-TIME LEAGUE & CUP RECORD VS CRYSTAL PALACE

 VENUE P W D  L F A
 Home 26 13 6 7 39 33
 Away 24 8 8 8 28 29
 Total 50 21 14 15 67 62

LAST TEN MATCHES AGAINST CRYSTAL PALACE

DATE COMPETITION H/A F-A GOALSCORERS     GATE
Sat 25 Oct 2014 Premier League H 2-2 Anichebe, Berahino (pen) - Hangeland, Jedinak (pen)    24,738
Sat 08 Feb 2014 Premier League A 1-3 Thievy - Ince, Ledley, Chamakh (pen)    24,501
Sat 04 Jan 2014 FA Cup H 0-2 Gayle, Chamakh    12,700
Sat 02 Nov 2013 Premier League H 2-0 Berahino, McAuley    26,397
Mon 26 Apr 2010 Championship A 1-1 Tamas - Reid (og)    17,798
Sat 26 Sep 2009 Championship H 0-1 N'Diaye    21,007
Wed 12 Mar 2008 Championship H 1-1 Phillips - Moses    20,378
Sat 01 Dec 2007 Championship A 1-1 Hudson (og) - Morrison    15,247
Wed 14 Mar 2007 Championship H 2-3 Clement, Phillips - Morrison, Watson (pen), Grabban    17,960
Tue 17 Oct 2006 Championship A 2-0 Gera, Kamara    16,105


 

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