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Crystal palace
      Crystal Palace vs Brentford

      Palace 3 Brentford 1

      Palace3
      Olise14' 58'
      Eze39'
      Brentford1
      Lewis-Potter2'
      Sat 30 Dec 15:00(KO listed in users′ timezone)

      Premier LeagueSelhurst Park

      Full-Time
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      Premier League
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      1
      MCIManchester City
      38
      28
      7
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      96
      34
      +62
      91
      2
      ARSArsenal
      38
      28
      5
      5
      91
      29
      +62
      89
      3
      LIVLiverpool
      38
      24
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      86
      41
      +45
      82
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      AVLAston Villa
      38
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      76
      61
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      TOTTottenham Hotspur
      38
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      38
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      77
      63
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      NEWNewcastle United
      38
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      MUNManchester United
      38
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      57
      58
      -1
      60
      9
      WHUWest Ham United
      38
      14
      10
      14
      60
      74
      -14
      52
      10
      CRYCrystal Palace
      38
      13
      10
      15
      57
      58
      -1
      49
      11
      BHABrighton and Hove Albion
      38
      12
      12
      14
      55
      62
      -7
      48
      12
      BOUBournemouth
      38
      13
      9
      16
      54
      67
      -13
      48
      13
      FULFulham
      38
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      55
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      47
      14
      WOLWolverhampton Wanderers
      38
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      7
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      50
      65
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      EVEEverton
      38
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      9
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      40
      51
      -11
      40
      16
      BREBrentford
      38
      10
      9
      19
      56
      65
      -9
      39
      17
      FORNottingham Forest
      38
      9
      9
      20
      49
      67
      -18
      32
      18
      LUTLuton Town
      38
      6
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      BURBurnley
      38
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      41
      78
      -37
      24
      20
      SHUSheffield United
      38
      3
      7
      28
      35
      104
      -69
      16

      Match Summary

      Summary:

      • Palace unchanged for final game of 2023
      • Lewis-Potter slides in to give visitors second-minute lead
      • Ayew crosses to the back post for Olise to guide home volleyed equaliser
      • Henderson denies Lewis-Potter as Brentford threaten in open start
      • Mitchell’s low pass is left by Mateta, allowing Eze to slam Palace into the lead
      • Pinnock’s back-pass almost beats his own ‘keeper as Eagles finish half strongly
      • HT: Palace 2-1 Brentford
      • Palace pick up where they left off, dominating the early stages of the second-half
      • Olise dances between two defenders to find the bottom corner for Palace’s third
      • No. 7 goes close to hat-trick, bending wide at the end of a counter-attack
      • Maupay smashes against the bar from distance
      • Wissa misses from close range as Brentford seek route back into the match
      • Andersen heads wide from Olise free-kick
      • Henderson denies Maupay with fine late save
      • FT: Palace 3-1 Brentford

      Palace’s run of tricky December games culminated in the visit of Brentford to Selhurst Park, with manager Roy Hodgson saying ahead of the game: “I think, to go out like we've done in these last four games and give such a good account of ourselves against top opponents, that should give me heart.”

      That carried through into his team selection for the game, as the Eagles went unchanged from the midweek late defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – with the additional boon of top scorer Odsonne Edouard returning to the matchday squad after three weeks’ absence.

      As has become club tradition, the final match of the calendar year began with a moving tribute to members of the Palace family – former players, staff and supporters – who had passed away over the course of 2023, celebrated with a minute’s applause.

      When the on-field action began, it was frenetic.

      Brentford struck first inside the opening two minutes. An inventive flick from Mathias Jensen set Mads Roerslev on his way down the right, and his curling cross was met on the slide by Keane Lewis-Potter, who dispatched it with aplomb.

      But Palace rose to the early challenge, working their way back into the match with some patient and, when it mattered, incisive build-up play.

      It was the Eagles’ first sustained spell of possession which yielded their equaliser on 13 minutes.

      As had been the case at Stamford Bridge, Jordan Ayew was the provider for Olise, a fine curling cross towards the back post impressively guided back across goal – and into the top corner – by the Palace No. 7 with the outside of his left boot.

      With Palace coming off an eight-game winless run, and Brentford having lost their last four themselves, both teams’ desire to make a fast start was apparent – and the visitors were next to go close with almost a carbon copy of their opener, only for Lewis-Potter to, on this occasion, shoot straight at Dean Henderson in goal.

      Both sides continued to trade blows, Lewis-Potter heading one floated delivery back across goal – and narrowly wide – and Ayew offering particular threat with his direct running into the Brentford box.

      The pace of the game did settle after the early flurry, but Palace would take the lead prior to half-time courtesy of more patient build-up play – and, when the time came to strike, an utterly ruthless finish.

      The Eagles worked it right-to-left, Chris Richards spraying to Tyrick Mitchell, whose low pass was left by Jean-Philippe Mateta for Ebere Eze to take one touch across the defender – and another to slam an instinctive left-footed shot into the far bottom corner.

      The margin of Palace's lead might even have been two at half-time, with mis-placed back-passes from Ethan Pinnock and Vitaly Janelt not far off producing own-goals.

      Palace left the field of play to a roar of approval from Selhurst – and that continued early in the second-half as they mounted wave upon wave of pressure in the opening stages, Ayew’s sliced effort and Jefferson Lerma’s near-post header both close to extending the lead.

      A rare Brentford attack saw Henderson produce a comfortable save from Christian Nørgaard, while at the other end Olise’s latest solo venture saw his effort beaten away by Flekken.

      Yet the visitors’ reprieve was temporary, as Marc Guéhi won the ball in midfield and squared for the Palace No. 7, who danced across the box, between two defenders – and tucked in a cute finish into the bottom-left corner.

      Brentford went on to enjoy greater possession in the next chapter of the match, but at the other end, another lightning counter-attack – sprung by Mateta’s hold-up play – afforded space for Olise to curl a strike inches wide of his first-ever professional hat-trick.

      Eze was next to go close with a strike on the spin from Olise’s square pass, but Flekken was able to claim comfortably enough.

      A series of late changes for Brentford saw them mount their own period of sustained pressure on the Eagles’ goalmouth, coming close twice in quick succession when Neal Maupay’s long-range strike hit the frame of the goal and Yoane Wissa somehow diverted Vitaly Janelt’s in-swinging cross over the bar from six yards.

      Yet see out Brentford’s barrage they did, and Palace came close to scoring a fourth when Joachim Andersen’s back-post header – meeting Olise’s whipped free-kick – found the side-netting.

      There was still time for Henderson to produce an outstanding fingertip save to deny Maupay’s looping effort, and Olise to almost force a hat-trick via a late deflection off Pinnock.

      But three goals were enough to bring Selhurst Park to its feet once more – a Happy New Year indeed, as the quality of a Palace display finally received its just rewards.

      Palace: Henderson (GK), Clyne, Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell, Richards, Lerma, Eze (Hughes, 86), Olise, Mateta (França, 86), Ayew (Schlupp, 90+2)

      Subs: Matthews (GK), Tomkins, Riedewald, Ozoh, Ahamada, Edouard

      Brentford: Flekken (GK), Pinnock, Zanka, Collins, Ghoddos, Roerslev (Onyeka, 63), Nørgaard (Damsgaard, 67), Jensen (Maupay, 63), Janelt (Yarmolyuk, 80), Lewis-Potter (Olakigbe, 80), Wissa

      Subs: Strakosha (GK), Brierley, Adedokun, Peart-Harris

      Match Blog

      Full-Time

      Match ends, Crystal Palace 3, Brentford 1.
      90'+4'

      free kick won

      Michael Olakigbe (Brentford) wins a free kick on the left wing.
      90'+3'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Ethan Pinnock.
      90'+3'

      free kick won

      Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      90'+2'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Jordan Ayew
      Jordan
      Ayew(9)
      off
      Jeffrey Schlupp
      Jeffrey
      Schlupp(15)
      on
      90'

      free kick won

      Nathan Collins (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      89'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Michael Olise with a cross following a set piece situation.
      88'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the left wing.
      86'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Jean-Philippe Mateta
      Jean-Philippe
      Mateta(14)
      off
      Matheus França
      Matheus França(11)
      on
      86'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi Eze
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      off
      Will Hughes
      Will
      Hughes(19)
      on
      83'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Neal Maupay (Brentford) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
      82'

      corner

      Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Nathaniel Clyne.
      81'

      corner

      Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
      80'

      corner

      Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Jefferson Lerma.
      80'

      Substitution

      Brentford
      Keane Lewis-Potter
      Keane
      Lewis-Potter(23)
      off
      Michael Olakigbe
      Michael
      Olakigbe(37)
      on
      80'

      Substitution

      Brentford
      Vitaly Janelt
      Vitaly
      Janelt(27)
      off
      Yehor Yarmoliuk
      Yehor
      Yarmoliuk(33)
      on
      79'

      free kick won

      Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      76'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Yoane Wissa (Brentford) right footed shot from very close range is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Vitaly Janelt with a cross.
      76'

      post

      Neal Maupay (Brentford) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Mikkel Damsgaard.
      75'

      free kick won

      Neal Maupay (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      74'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      72'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Michael Olise.
      72'

      free kick won

      Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      68'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Nathan Collins.
      67'

      Substitution

      Brentford
      Christian Nørgaard
      Christian
      Nørgaard(6)
      off
      Mikkel Damsgaard
      Mikkel
      Damsgaard(24)
      on
      67'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jean-Philippe Mateta following a fast break.
      65'

      free kick won

      Frank Onyeka (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      64'

      free kick won

      Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      63'

      Substitution

      Brentford
      Mads Roerslev
      Mads
      Roerslev(30)
      off
      Frank Onyeka
      Frank
      Onyeka(15)
      on
      63'

      Substitution

      Brentford
      Mathias Jensen
      Mathias
      Jensen(8)
      off
      Neal Maupay
      Neal
      Maupay(7)
      on
      61'

      free kick won

      Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      60'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Saman Ghoddos (Brentford) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Christian Nørgaard.
      60'

      free kick won

      Yoane Wissa (Brentford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      58'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Michael
      Olise(7)
      Michael Olise
      Goal! Crystal Palace 3, Brentford 1. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Marc Guéhi.
      58'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jordan Ayew.
      53'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
      51'

      free kick won

      Yoane Wissa (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      51'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Mads Roerslev.
      48'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Eberechi Eze with a cross following a corner.
      47'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Ethan Pinnock.
      47'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Tyrick Mitchell.
      46'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Eberechi Eze.

      First-Half Ends

      First Half ends, Crystal Palace 2, Brentford 1.
      45'+7'

      free kick won

      Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      45'+6'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Vitaly Janelt.
      45'+5'

      free kick won

      Zanka (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      45'+3'

      offside

      Offside, Crystal Palace. Jefferson Lerma is caught offside.
      45'+2'

      Yellow Card

      Ghoddos(14)
      Saman Ghoddos (Brentford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      45'+1'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      45'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Mark Flekken.
      44'

      end delay

      Delay over. They are ready to continue.
      42'

      start delay

      Delay in match because of an injury Vitaly Janelt (Brentford).
      41'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
      41'

      free kick won

      Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      39'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      Eberechi Eze
      Goal! Crystal Palace 2, Brentford 1. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tyrick Mitchell.
      37'

      free kick won

      Mathias Jensen (Brentford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      37'

      offside

      Offside, Brentford. Keane Lewis-Potter is caught offside.
      28'

      free kick won

      Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      27'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Nathan Collins (Brentford) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Saman Ghoddos with a cross following a corner.
      26'

      corner

      Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Michael Olise.
      18'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mads Roerslev.
      17'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Saman Ghoddos (Brentford) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Keane Lewis-Potter.
      17'

      free kick won

      Yoane Wissa (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      16'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
      15'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      14'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Michael
      Olise(7)
      Michael Olise
      Goal! Crystal Palace 1, Brentford 1. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jordan Ayew with a cross.
      12'

      free kick won

      Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      10'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Ethan Pinnock.
      10'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jefferson Lerma.
      8'

      free kick won

      Saman Ghoddos (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      7'

      free kick won

      Mads Roerslev (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      3'

      VAR

      VAR Decision: Goal Brentford - Crystal Palace 0-1 Brentford (Keane Lewis-Potter).
      2'

      Brentford Goal

      Brentford
      Goal!
      Brentford
      Keane
      Lewis-Potter(23)
      Keane Lewis-Potter
      Goal! Crystal Palace 0, Brentford 1. Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mads Roerslev with a cross.

      Kick-Off

      lineup

      Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

      Starting lineup

      1
      Mark Flekken
      GK
      5
      Ethan Pinnock
      DF
      13
      Zanka
      DF
      22
      Nathan Collins
      DF
      14
      Saman Ghoddos
      MF
      45'+2'
      8
      Mathias Jensen
      MF
      substitution icon63'
      27
      Vitaly Janelt
      MF
      substitution icon80'
      30
      Mads Roerslev
      MF
      substitution icon63'
      6
      Christian Nørgaard
      MF
      substitution icon67'
      11
      Yoane Wissa
      S
      23
      Keane Lewis-Potter
      S
      2'
      substitution icon80'

      Substitutes

      7
      Neal Maupay
      substitution icon63'
      15
      Frank Onyeka
      substitution icon63'
      21
      Thomas Strakosha
      24
      Mikkel Damsgaard
      substitution icon67'
      25
      Myles Peart-Harris
      33
      Yehor Yarmoliuk
      substitution icon80'
      37
      Michael Olakigbe
      substitution icon80'
      38
      Ethan Brierley
      42
      Valintino Adedokun
      LUT
      2-3
      CHE
      WOL
      3-0
      EVE
      MCI
      2-0
      SHU
      AVL
      3-2
      BUR
      FOR
      2-1
      MUN
      Back to top

      Starting lineup

      1
      Mark Flekken
      GK
      5
      Ethan Pinnock
      DF
      13
      Zanka
      DF
      22
      Nathan Collins
      DF
      14
      Saman Ghoddos
      MF
      45'+2'
      8
      Mathias Jensen
      MF
      substitution icon63'
      27
      Vitaly Janelt
      MF
      substitution icon80'
      30
      Mads Roerslev
      MF
      substitution icon63'
      6
      Christian Nørgaard
      MF
      substitution icon67'
      11
      Yoane Wissa
      S
      23
      Keane Lewis-Potter
      S
      2'
      substitution icon80'

      Substitutes

      7
      Neal Maupay
      substitution icon63'
      15
      Frank Onyeka
      substitution icon63'
      21
      Thomas Strakosha
      24
      Mikkel Damsgaard
      substitution icon67'
      25
      Myles Peart-Harris
      33
      Yehor Yarmoliuk
      substitution icon80'
      37
      Michael Olakigbe
      substitution icon80'
      38
      Ethan Brierley
      42
      Valintino Adedokun
      LUT
      2-3
      CHE
      WOL
      3-0
      EVE
      MCI
      2-0
      SHU
      AVL
      3-2
      BUR
      FOR
      2-1
      MUN
      Premier League
      pos
      club
      pl
      w
      d
      l
      gf
      ga
      gd
      pts
      1
      MCIManchester City
      38
      28
      7
      3
      96
      34
      +62
      91
      2
      ARSArsenal
      38
      28
      5
      5
      91
      29
      +62
      89
      3
      LIVLiverpool
      38
      24
      10
      4
      86
      41
      +45
      82
      4
      AVLAston Villa
      38
      20
      8
      10
      76
      61
      +15
      68
      5
      TOTTottenham Hotspur
      38
      20
      6
      12
      74
      61
      +13
      66
      6
      CHEChelsea
      38
      18
      9
      11
      77
      63
      +14
      63
      7
      NEWNewcastle United
      38
      18
      6
      14
      85
      62
      +23
      60
      8
      MUNManchester United
      38
      18
      6
      14
      57
      58
      -1
      60
      9
      WHUWest Ham United
      38
      14
      10
      14
      60
      74
      -14
      52
      10
      CRYCrystal Palace
      38
      13
      10
      15
      57
      58
      -1
      49
      11
      BHABrighton and Hove Albion
      38
      12
      12
      14
      55
      62
      -7
      48
      12
      BOUBournemouth
      38
      13
      9
      16
      54
      67
      -13
      48
      13
      FULFulham
      38
      13
      8
      17
      55
      61
      -6
      47
      14
      WOLWolverhampton Wanderers
      38
      13
      7
      18
      50
      65
      -15
      46
      15
      EVEEverton
      38
      13
      9
      16
      40
      51
      -11
      40
      16
      BREBrentford
      38
      10
      9
      19
      56
      65
      -9
      39
      17
      FORNottingham Forest
      38
      9
      9
      20
      49
      67
      -18
      32
      18
      LUTLuton Town
      38
      6
      8
      24
      52
      85
      -33
      26
      19
      BURBurnley
      38
      5
      9
      24
      41
      78
      -37
      24
      20
      SHUSheffield United
      38
      3
      7
      28
      35
      104
      -69
      16

      Match Summary

      Summary:

      • Palace unchanged for final game of 2023
      • Lewis-Potter slides in to give visitors second-minute lead
      • Ayew crosses to the back post for Olise to guide home volleyed equaliser
      • Henderson denies Lewis-Potter as Brentford threaten in open start
      • Mitchell’s low pass is left by Mateta, allowing Eze to slam Palace into the lead
      • Pinnock’s back-pass almost beats his own ‘keeper as Eagles finish half strongly
      • HT: Palace 2-1 Brentford
      • Palace pick up where they left off, dominating the early stages of the second-half
      • Olise dances between two defenders to find the bottom corner for Palace’s third
      • No. 7 goes close to hat-trick, bending wide at the end of a counter-attack
      • Maupay smashes against the bar from distance
      • Wissa misses from close range as Brentford seek route back into the match
      • Andersen heads wide from Olise free-kick
      • Henderson denies Maupay with fine late save
      • FT: Palace 3-1 Brentford

      Palace’s run of tricky December games culminated in the visit of Brentford to Selhurst Park, with manager Roy Hodgson saying ahead of the game: “I think, to go out like we've done in these last four games and give such a good account of ourselves against top opponents, that should give me heart.”

      That carried through into his team selection for the game, as the Eagles went unchanged from the midweek late defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – with the additional boon of top scorer Odsonne Edouard returning to the matchday squad after three weeks’ absence.

      As has become club tradition, the final match of the calendar year began with a moving tribute to members of the Palace family – former players, staff and supporters – who had passed away over the course of 2023, celebrated with a minute’s applause.

      When the on-field action began, it was frenetic.

      Brentford struck first inside the opening two minutes. An inventive flick from Mathias Jensen set Mads Roerslev on his way down the right, and his curling cross was met on the slide by Keane Lewis-Potter, who dispatched it with aplomb.

      But Palace rose to the early challenge, working their way back into the match with some patient and, when it mattered, incisive build-up play.

      It was the Eagles’ first sustained spell of possession which yielded their equaliser on 13 minutes.

      As had been the case at Stamford Bridge, Jordan Ayew was the provider for Olise, a fine curling cross towards the back post impressively guided back across goal – and into the top corner – by the Palace No. 7 with the outside of his left boot.

      With Palace coming off an eight-game winless run, and Brentford having lost their last four themselves, both teams’ desire to make a fast start was apparent – and the visitors were next to go close with almost a carbon copy of their opener, only for Lewis-Potter to, on this occasion, shoot straight at Dean Henderson in goal.

      Both sides continued to trade blows, Lewis-Potter heading one floated delivery back across goal – and narrowly wide – and Ayew offering particular threat with his direct running into the Brentford box.

      The pace of the game did settle after the early flurry, but Palace would take the lead prior to half-time courtesy of more patient build-up play – and, when the time came to strike, an utterly ruthless finish.

      The Eagles worked it right-to-left, Chris Richards spraying to Tyrick Mitchell, whose low pass was left by Jean-Philippe Mateta for Ebere Eze to take one touch across the defender – and another to slam an instinctive left-footed shot into the far bottom corner.

      The margin of Palace's lead might even have been two at half-time, with mis-placed back-passes from Ethan Pinnock and Vitaly Janelt not far off producing own-goals.

      Palace left the field of play to a roar of approval from Selhurst – and that continued early in the second-half as they mounted wave upon wave of pressure in the opening stages, Ayew’s sliced effort and Jefferson Lerma’s near-post header both close to extending the lead.

      A rare Brentford attack saw Henderson produce a comfortable save from Christian Nørgaard, while at the other end Olise’s latest solo venture saw his effort beaten away by Flekken.

      Yet the visitors’ reprieve was temporary, as Marc Guéhi won the ball in midfield and squared for the Palace No. 7, who danced across the box, between two defenders – and tucked in a cute finish into the bottom-left corner.

      Brentford went on to enjoy greater possession in the next chapter of the match, but at the other end, another lightning counter-attack – sprung by Mateta’s hold-up play – afforded space for Olise to curl a strike inches wide of his first-ever professional hat-trick.

      Eze was next to go close with a strike on the spin from Olise’s square pass, but Flekken was able to claim comfortably enough.

      A series of late changes for Brentford saw them mount their own period of sustained pressure on the Eagles’ goalmouth, coming close twice in quick succession when Neal Maupay’s long-range strike hit the frame of the goal and Yoane Wissa somehow diverted Vitaly Janelt’s in-swinging cross over the bar from six yards.

      Yet see out Brentford’s barrage they did, and Palace came close to scoring a fourth when Joachim Andersen’s back-post header – meeting Olise’s whipped free-kick – found the side-netting.

      There was still time for Henderson to produce an outstanding fingertip save to deny Maupay’s looping effort, and Olise to almost force a hat-trick via a late deflection off Pinnock.

      But three goals were enough to bring Selhurst Park to its feet once more – a Happy New Year indeed, as the quality of a Palace display finally received its just rewards.

      Palace: Henderson (GK), Clyne, Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell, Richards, Lerma, Eze (Hughes, 86), Olise, Mateta (França, 86), Ayew (Schlupp, 90+2)

      Subs: Matthews (GK), Tomkins, Riedewald, Ozoh, Ahamada, Edouard

      Brentford: Flekken (GK), Pinnock, Zanka, Collins, Ghoddos, Roerslev (Onyeka, 63), Nørgaard (Damsgaard, 67), Jensen (Maupay, 63), Janelt (Yarmolyuk, 80), Lewis-Potter (Olakigbe, 80), Wissa

      Subs: Strakosha (GK), Brierley, Adedokun, Peart-Harris

      Match Blog

      Full-Time

      Match ends, Crystal Palace 3, Brentford 1.
      90'+4'

      free kick won

      Michael Olakigbe (Brentford) wins a free kick on the left wing.
      90'+3'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Ethan Pinnock.
      90'+3'

      free kick won

      Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      90'+2'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Jordan Ayew
      Jordan
      Ayew(9)
      off
      Jeffrey Schlupp
      Jeffrey
      Schlupp(15)
      on
      90'

      free kick won

      Nathan Collins (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      89'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Michael Olise with a cross following a set piece situation.
      88'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the left wing.
      86'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Jean-Philippe Mateta
      Jean-Philippe
      Mateta(14)
      off
      Matheus França
      Matheus França(11)
      on
      86'

      Substitution

      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi Eze
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      off
      Will Hughes
      Will
      Hughes(19)
      on
      83'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Neal Maupay (Brentford) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
      82'

      corner

      Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Nathaniel Clyne.
      81'

      corner

      Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
      80'

      corner

      Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Jefferson Lerma.
      80'

      Substitution

      Brentford
      Keane Lewis-Potter
      Keane
      Lewis-Potter(23)
      off
      Michael Olakigbe
      Michael
      Olakigbe(37)
      on
      80'

      Substitution

      Brentford
      Vitaly Janelt
      Vitaly
      Janelt(27)
      off
      Yehor Yarmoliuk
      Yehor
      Yarmoliuk(33)
      on
      79'

      free kick won

      Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      76'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Yoane Wissa (Brentford) right footed shot from very close range is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Vitaly Janelt with a cross.
      76'

      post

      Neal Maupay (Brentford) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Mikkel Damsgaard.
      75'

      free kick won

      Neal Maupay (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      74'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      72'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Michael Olise.
      72'

      free kick won

      Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      68'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Nathan Collins.
      67'

      Substitution

      Brentford
      Christian Nørgaard
      Christian
      Nørgaard(6)
      off
      Mikkel Damsgaard
      Mikkel
      Damsgaard(24)
      on
      67'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jean-Philippe Mateta following a fast break.
      65'

      free kick won

      Frank Onyeka (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      64'

      free kick won

      Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      63'

      Substitution

      Brentford
      Mads Roerslev
      Mads
      Roerslev(30)
      off
      Frank Onyeka
      Frank
      Onyeka(15)
      on
      63'

      Substitution

      Brentford
      Mathias Jensen
      Mathias
      Jensen(8)
      off
      Neal Maupay
      Neal
      Maupay(7)
      on
      61'

      free kick won

      Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      60'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Saman Ghoddos (Brentford) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Christian Nørgaard.
      60'

      free kick won

      Yoane Wissa (Brentford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      58'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Michael
      Olise(7)
      Michael Olise
      Goal! Crystal Palace 3, Brentford 1. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Marc Guéhi.
      58'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jordan Ayew.
      53'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Christian Nørgaard (Brentford) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
      51'

      free kick won

      Yoane Wissa (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      51'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Mads Roerslev.
      48'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Eberechi Eze with a cross following a corner.
      47'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Ethan Pinnock.
      47'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Tyrick Mitchell.
      46'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Eberechi Eze.

      First-Half Ends

      First Half ends, Crystal Palace 2, Brentford 1.
      45'+7'

      free kick won

      Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      45'+6'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Vitaly Janelt.
      45'+5'

      free kick won

      Zanka (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      45'+3'

      offside

      Offside, Crystal Palace. Jefferson Lerma is caught offside.
      45'+2'

      Yellow Card

      Ghoddos(14)
      Saman Ghoddos (Brentford) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
      45'+1'

      free kick won

      Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick on the right wing.
      45'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Mark Flekken.
      44'

      end delay

      Delay over. They are ready to continue.
      42'

      start delay

      Delay in match because of an injury Vitaly Janelt (Brentford).
      41'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
      41'

      free kick won

      Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      39'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Eberechi
      Eze(10)
      Eberechi Eze
      Goal! Crystal Palace 2, Brentford 1. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Tyrick Mitchell.
      37'

      free kick won

      Mathias Jensen (Brentford) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      37'

      offside

      Offside, Brentford. Keane Lewis-Potter is caught offside.
      28'

      free kick won

      Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
      27'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Nathan Collins (Brentford) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Saman Ghoddos with a cross following a corner.
      26'

      corner

      Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Michael Olise.
      18'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Mads Roerslev.
      17'

      miss

      Attempt missed. Saman Ghoddos (Brentford) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Keane Lewis-Potter.
      17'

      free kick won

      Yoane Wissa (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      16'

      attempt saved

      Attempt saved. Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jean-Philippe Mateta.
      15'

      free kick won

      Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      14'

      Crystal Palace Goal!

      Crystal Palace
      Goal!
      Crystal Palace
      Michael
      Olise(7)
      Michael Olise
      Goal! Crystal Palace 1, Brentford 1. Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jordan Ayew with a cross.
      12'

      free kick won

      Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      10'

      corner

      Corner, Crystal Palace. Conceded by Ethan Pinnock.
      10'

      attempt blocked

      Attempt blocked. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Jefferson Lerma.
      8'

      free kick won

      Saman Ghoddos (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      7'

      free kick won

      Mads Roerslev (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
      3'

      VAR

      VAR Decision: Goal Brentford - Crystal Palace 0-1 Brentford (Keane Lewis-Potter).
      2'

      Brentford Goal

      Brentford
      Goal!
      Brentford
      Keane
      Lewis-Potter(23)
      Keane Lewis-Potter
      Goal! Crystal Palace 0, Brentford 1. Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mads Roerslev with a cross.

      Kick-Off

      lineup

      Lineups are announced and players are warming up.