26 January MW21 Part 2 SYMMETRY The five matches over the weekend yielded 18 goals with Saturday’s games involving five goals each, Sunday’s four each and Monday’s none. Arsenal’s 5-0 thrashing of Palace match not as evenly distributed as Brentford’s 3-2 victory over Forest. Substitute Gabriel Martinelli’s late brace came in added time with theContinue reading “Premier League Nuggets 2023/24”
Category Archives: Crystal Palace
Premier League Nuggets 2023/24 – MW 5
22 September Week 5 TO THE BITTER END Both Tottenham and Aston Villa scored twice after the 96th minute of their matches, the latest in an increasingly long line of goals scored in 2nd half added time. There have been 18 goals scored this season after 90 minutes, 12% of overall total. Tottenham’s second goalContinue reading “Premier League Nuggets 2023/24 – MW 5”
Premier League Nuggets 2022/23 MW4
8 September It might be an international break but there are still plenty of nuggets to unearth from Matchweek 4 to keep us entertained : PROMOTED CLUBS’ PROLONGED AGONY Sheffield United’s draw against Everton was the first, and up to now, only point the promoted clubs have gained. This is only the second time in PremierContinue reading “Premier League Nuggets 2022/23 MW4”
Premier League Nuggets 2023/24
September 1st The one remaining 100% record in the Premier League rests on the familiar shoulders of Manchester City while Everton and the three promoted clubs are already nine points adrift of the champions. Plus ça change at the top and the bottom. BRENTFORD DRAW COMFORT Brentford’s draw with Palace on Saturday broke the Bees’ recordContinue reading “Premier League Nuggets 2023/24”
Premier League Nuggets
As the thirtieth Premier League season is over, it is high time for some Nuggets, all 30 of them firstly club-by-club, and then some generic ones. 1. Starting with Arsenal who lost more games (13) than Brighton (11) & Palace (12) but won more (22) than Chelsea (21). 2. Next up it’s Aston Villa –Continue reading “Premier League Nuggets”
A view from the box seat and what was missing
18 October 1969 is a date indelibly marked in my football conscience. It was my very first visit to Selhurst Park as part of my elder brother’s birthday party. After over five decades, my recollection is a little sketchy, indeed I had to look up the score: a 1-1 draw with Gerry Queen scoring forContinue reading “A view from the box seat and what was missing”
Palace’s FA Cup semi-final : a chance to celebrate
As a Palace supporter I find it difficult to contain the thrill of going to Wembley this weekend for the club’s fifth appearance in an FA Cup semi-final. While for the fans of our opponents Chelsea and the other semi-finalists, Liverpool and Manchester City, this is much more routine. It is all part and parcelContinue reading “Palace’s FA Cup semi-final : a chance to celebrate”
Is the Premier League Manager of the Month cursed?
NB This is a fuller version of the piece published in the Guardian on 7th April, with added information A myriad of myths that swirl throughout football, some of which hold credence, such as ‘The Law of the Ex’ that dictates more often than not that strikers will score against their former clubs. Another ofContinue reading “Is the Premier League Manager of the Month cursed?”
Life after Football – when Academy players are released Part Two
Following on from last week’s piece on Palace’s innovative and much admired after-care programme [https://bit.ly/33245hS] here’s more detail on the South London club’s work as well as a look at what other clubs and organisations are doing. Having spent a fair amount of time in the last year talking to player care/welfare officers and headsContinue reading “Life after Football – when Academy players are released Part Two “
Life after football – when academy players are released
Last week Crystal Palace launched the first ever comprehensive after care programme for released academy players. The Football Mine will cover this subject in two parts, Part 1 looks at the key issues and Palace’s bold initiative. Over the next few weeks hundreds of teenage academy players will find out if they are going toContinue reading “Life after football – when academy players are released”
The Football Mine 