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WEST BROMWICH ALBION v CRYSTAL PALACE
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 27th February 2016, 5:30pm
The Hawthorns
(Live on Sky Sports 1)

MATCH NOTES

The game will be the 53rd league and cup meeting between Albion and Crystal Palace. The Baggies currently lead the way in terms of victories with 22 compared to the Eagles' 16.

There have been seven Premier League meetings with Palace winning three games and Albion two.

The clubs have met 26 times previously in competitive action at The Hawthorns with Albion winning 13 games and Palace seven.

Albion's last game on this date took place in 2010 when a Roberto Di Matteo-led side beat Derby County 3-1 in a League Championship clash at The Hawthorns, Chris Brunt (2) and Simon Cox the Baggies' goalscorers.

Crystal Palace's last game on February 27 also took place in 2010 in Championship action - the Eagles playing out a 1-1 draw at Doncaster Rovers with Kieran Djilali the Palace scorer.

There have been four penalties in the last four meetings of the sides.

Only Aston Villa (20) have scored fewer goals than Albion (24) this season.

Palace are winless in nine Premier League matches (D3, L6), their last win coming at Stoke City on December 19.

Albion's last six games: Reading (A, FAC) 1-3; Everton (A) 1-0; Peterborough United (A, FAC) 1-1 (4-3 on pens), Newcastle United (A) 0-1; Swansea City (H) 1-1; Peterborough United (H, FAC) 2-2.

Crystal Palace's last six games: Spurs (A, FAC) 1-0; Watford (H) 1-2; Swansea City (A) 1-1; Bournemouth (H) 1-2; Stoke City (H, FAC) 1-0; Spurs (H) 1-3.

TEAM NEWS

Albion

The defensive duo of Gareth McAuley and Craig Dawson could return following injury whilst Baggies' boss Tony Pulis is hopeful fellow defender Jonny Evans will also be fit for the Hawthorns' clash despite aggravating his hamstring injury in last weekend's FA Cup defeat at Reading.

James Morrison (hamstring) and Callum McManaman (ankle) are both still sidelined.

Crystal Palace

Palace winger Yannick Bolasie could make his first start for two months following a hip injury.

Bakary Sako (hamstring) faces a late fitness test but Jason Puncheon (also hamstring) is out as is James McArthur (ankle).

Also missing for the visitors is Pape Souare who is suspended.

MATCH ODDS

Result

Albion Win: 17/10, Crystal Palace Win: 17/10, Draw: 21/10.

First Goalscorer

Albion: Berahino 6/1, Rondon 6/1, Lambert 7/1, Anichebe 7/1, Pritchard 8/1, Sessegnon 9/1, McClean 11/1, Gardner 12/1, Fletcher 16/1, Brunt 20/1, Sandro 20/1, Dawson 25/1, Yacob 33/1, McAuley 33/1.

Crystal Palace: Adebayor 6/1, Wickham 7/1, Gayle 7/1, Campbell 15/2, Chamakh 15/2, Sako 8/1, Bolasie 8/1, Cabaye 9/1, Zaha 10/1, Lee 12/1, Mutch 14/1, Jedinak 16/1, Boateng 20/1, Ledley 20/1, Dann 25/1, Ward 30/1, Hangeland 33/1.

No Goalscorers: 13/2.

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MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Jonathan Moss (West Yorkshire)
Assistant Referees: Gary Beswick (County Durham) & Matthew Wilkes (West Midlands)
Fourth Official: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Moss has refereed three Albion games so far this season - the 1-0 win at Bristol City in the FA Cup last month, the 1-1 draw at home to Spurs in December and the first game between the Baggies and Palace at Selhurst Park back in October which the Eagles won 2-0.

He officiated four Albion games last season - the 2-0 win at Crystal Palace in April, 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 in September.

This season Moss has taken charge of Palace's 4-0 defeat at Manchester City last month and the aforementioned win over Albion last October.

The West Yorkshire official took charge of five Palace games during 2014/15 - their 3-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield in May, the aforementioned 2-0 defeat to Albion in April, 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.

He has officiated the last two games to have taken place between Albion and Palace.

Moss has handed out 71 yellow cards and six reds in the 24 games he has refereed so far this season.

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

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are on general sale to home supporters priced at £27/£25 adults, £21/£20 seniors (over-60s), £16/£15 under-21s/students and just £1 for under-17s.

WEATHER FORECAST

Thick cloud, 4°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 have won just one of the last seven league and cup meetings at The Hawthorns.

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

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Saturday 8 February 2014 - Crystal Palace 3-1 Albion - Premier League - Selhurst Park
Saturday 4 January 2014 - Albion 0-2 Crystal Palace - FA Cup 3rd Round - The Hawthorns
Tuesday 1 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 MEETING AT THE HAWTHORNS

Albion 2-2 Crystal Palace
Barclays Premier League
Saturday 25th October 2014, 3:00pm

Albion: Foster, Wisdom, Dawson, Lescott, Pocognoli, Brunt, Gardner, Dorrans (Blanco 83), Morrison, Sessegnon (Anichebe HT), Berahino. Subs not used: Myhill, Gamboa, McAuley, Mulumbu, Ideye. 

Goalscorers: Anichebe 51, Berahino 90+3 (pen)

Booked: Sessegnon 45+3 (foul), Gardner 82 (handball), Blanco 88 (foul)

Crystal Palace: Speroni (Hennessey 55), Kelly, Mariappa, Hangeland, Ward, Jedinak, Ledley, Zaha (Puncheon 64), Bolasie, Chamakh (Guedioura 73), Campbell. Subs not used: Fryers, Bannan, Doyle, Gayle.

Goalscorers: Hangeland 16, Jedinak 45+1 (pen)

Booked: Jedinak 66 (foul)

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (County Durham)

Attendance: 24,738

Saido Berahino's injury-time penalty rescued a point for West Brom as they fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace. The striker slammed in his eighth goal of the season after Mile Jedinak had felled Victor Anichebe, who had started the Baggies comeback when he nodded in early in the second half. Palace were upset, though, as Craig Dawson fouled Julian Speroni to allow Anichebe to score - forcing the keeper off with a head injury. Brede Hangeland and Jedinak's penalty had fired Palace into a commanding half-time lead. Palace were also denied what appeared to be a clear first-half spot-kick when referee Mark Clattenburg failed to spot Dawson's foul on Wilfried Zaha.

Goalkeeper Ben Foster returned for West Brom having missed Monday's 2-2 draw with Manchester United with a calf injury. Berahino started up front for the in-form Baggies, with £10million record signing Brown Ideye again on the bench after recovering from an ankle injury. Palace boss Neil Warnock made three changes from last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea as Zaha, Adrian Mariappa and Marouane Chamakh replaced Jason Puncheon, James McArthur and the suspended Damien Delaney. After a quiet opening Palace began to dominate against the lethargic Baggies. Yannick Bolasie's 18-yard effort deflected wide before Foster turned Fraizer Campbell's header over on 16 minutes - only for Palace to score from the resulting corner. Bolasie's cross caused chaos and Hangeland poked in from inside the six-yard box after his initial header had cannoned off Dawson. It was a poor goal to concede but the Baggies almost levelled five minutes later only for Speroni to turn Craig Gardner's rising drive wide. Graham Dorrans then fired over but it was a brief bright spot from the sloppy Baggies who struggled to deal with Bolasie and Zaha. The duo were a constant threat and Bolasie's cross was inches away from Campbell after West Brom had lost possession. Organised and robust the visitors were in control against their hosts, who looked short of ideas despite just one defeat in their last five games. And Palace probably should have had a penalty nine minutes before the break when Dawson appeared to fell Zaha but Clattenburg ignored any - muted - appeals. Yet the Eagles did make it 2-0 from the spot on 45 minutes when the hapless Sebastien Pocognoli clattered into Bolasie.

It was a foolish tackle so close to half-time and Jedinak sent Foster the wrong way to put Palace in complete control - a position which weakened six minutes after the break in controversial style. Berahino - who had been quiet - forced Speroni into a fine low stop from 18 yards but the Baggies scored from the resulting corner. Brunt's delivery found Anichebe, who had replaced Stephane Sessegnon at half-time, to nod in but Speroni had been fouled after defender Dawson clattered into him. The keeper needed treatment for a head injury and was eventually replaced by Wayne Hennessey - although not before initially refusing to come off in comical fashion. The game had changed and Palace had relinquished their comfortable advantage with the Baggies finding their missing belief. Gardner kissed the bar from 25 yards before Berahino blazed over from the edge of the area with 14 minutes left. Palace's threat had been nullified and the Baggies finally levelled in injury time when Jedinak's rash challenge on Anichebe in the area allowed Berahino to drill in low from the spot.

Sporting Life

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, Gerry Francis and Ben Garner also worked under him at Palace. The trio all played for the Eagles during their playing careers although Garner only at youth level.

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, Jerome Thomas, 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 26 9 8 9 30 31
 Total 52 22 14 16 69 64

LAST TEN MATCHES AGAINST CRYSTAL PALACE

DATE COMPETITION H/A F-A GOALSCORERS      GATE
Sat 03 Oct 2015 Premier League A 0-2 Bolasie, Cabaye (pen)     24,033
Sat 18 Apr 2015 Premier League A 2-0 Morrison, Gardner     24,765
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

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Saturday 27th February

12:45pm - West Ham United v Sunderland.

3:00pm - Leicester City v Norwich City; Southampton v Chelsea; Stoke City v Aston Villa; Watford v Bournemouth.

5:30pm - Albion v Crystal Palace.

Sunday 28th February

2:05pm - Manchester United v Arsenal; Tottenham Hotspur v Swansea City.


 
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