Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## From Academy to Premier League

> Having joined the Palace Academy from Brentford in 2016, Tyrick Mitchell rose to prominence rapidly at Palace and set the record for the youngest-ever player to make 200 Premier League appearances for the club.

Mitchell was a regular in both of Palace's Under-18 and Under-23 Professional Development League South winning teams in 2017/18 as he spent a second campaign featuring at both levels.

A recruit from Brentford at the end of the 2015/16 season, Mitchell, an attacking left-back with bundles of pace, impressed sufficiently for the Academy side to be handed a chance with the Development team in 2016. He used that experience to his advantage in 17/18 as he helped his two teams to silverware.

In 2018/19, Mitchell was a regular fixture in Richard Shaw's U23s team and joined the first-team on their pre-season tour in the summer of 2019.

After returning from an injury sustained while on tour, Mitchell made several first-team squads and earned his Premier League debut against Leicester City in July 2020. He went on to secure his first Premier League start by playing the full 90 minutes against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In April 2021, he signed a contract extension through til the end of 2024/25. Mitchell then followed this up with his first goal and assist for the Eagles, as helped the side to a 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in May 2021.

His performances throughout 21/22 saw him earn a senior England call-up for the first time in March 2022, making his debut in a 2-1 win over Switzerland.

Mitchell was nearly ever-present in 2022/23, featuring for Palace in 38 out of a possible 41 games in all competitions. He made his 100th appearance in red and blue against Tottenham Hotspur towards the end of the campaign and was also awarded the PFA Community Champion Award for his support for the Palace for Life Foundation.

He was again so close to being ever-present in 2023/24, this time only missing a single game through injury. Nevertheless, he continued to make the left-back position his own, and even stepping further forward as a left wing-back under new manager Oliver Glasner. Mitchell concldued the campaign with his best attacking returns, with two goals and three assists.

In 2024/25, Mitchell was one of the first names on the teamsheet - featuring in 37 out of a possible 38 league games. He kept 11 clean sheets in the league, assisting five times. 

He also kept four clean sheets in the games he featured in as Palace lifted the FA Cup.

November 2021, December 2023

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Crystal Palace, 2021/22

Young Player of the Season

Crystal Palace, 2022/23

PFA Community Champion

Mitchell

Twitter

Instagram

Appearances

Goals

Tyrick reflects on his 200th Premier League appearance

Best of Tyrick Mitchell | Newcastle (H)

Match Action: Crystal Palace 3-0 Fiorentina

Doc Brown meets Tyrick Mitchell

CCTV | The Team prepare for Shelbourne

Net88's November Player of the Month: Tyrick Mitchell

Best of Tyrick Mitchell | Fulham (A)

Match Highlights | RC Strasbourg 2-1 Crystal Palace

Mitchell previews Wolves 

Access All Over | Crystal Palace v Brighton

The best of Tyrick Mitchell | Brighton (H)

The best of our Defenders | Brighton (H)

Tyrick on hard-fought draw

From South London to Europe | This Is Our Night

CCTV | Internationals Returns

Goals Inside Box

Goals Outside Box

Right Foot

Left Foot

Shots

Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

Aerial duels won

Interceptions

Blocks

Recoveries

Tackles won

Duels won

Clearances

Minutes

Attempted passes

Successful passes

Chances created

Crosses

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls won

Fouls Conceded

Season

Games

*This interview was initially published in the Crystal Palace v Fiorentina special-edition programme - you can **[buy previous issues of the matchday programme by clicking HERE](https://shop.cpfc.co.uk/giftssouvenirs/souvenirs/programmes/)**.*

At the tie's halfway mark, following an eye-catching Palace display in the first leg at a raucous Selhurst Park, the Eagles lead *La Viola* 3-0 – a performance full of hard work, courage and flair, all attributes which would have made serial trophy winner Lombardo proud.

Back in the summer of 1997, with some hailing the former Juventus and Sampdoria attacker as the club’s most exciting transfer ever, the Italian did not disappoint, scoring on his debut against Everton – a 2-1 win at Goodison Park on the opening day of the 1997/98 season.

In what eventually proved a topsy-turvy season back in the Premier League, Lombardo shone, even taking the reins for a short spell as player-manager at the end of the season.

He could not prevent relegation but – further cementing his bond with the Palace faithful – he played for a further half-a-season in the second tier before departing.

These days, the former *Azzurri* international is currently working in a managerial capacity back in his homeland with another of his former clubs – Sampdoria – but was happy to catch up with Palace ahead of the first leg last week...

I certainly didn't expect to receive all this warmth; I was surprised by it

**When you first joined Crystal Palace it was labelled by many fans as the club’s most exciting transfer ever. How did the transfer come about – and did that bring any extra pressure?** 

At Juventus, I had completed my cycle. I had two options: Real Zaragoza in Spain and Crystal Palace in England. 

Given the club's history, English football, and the presence of [Gianluca] Vialli, [Gianfranco] Zola, and so many other Italians in the league, I chose Palace and the competition that excited me the most. 

I wouldn't say it brought pressure. I certainly didn't expect to receive all this warmth; I was surprised by it. 

I think it only took a moment to ignite a positive spark in the heart that beats at that club: I made my debut with a goal and a penalty awarded against Everton. This made my experience even easier.

**How did you adapt to English football? Did it take you time to settle in at all?**

I adapted immediately, most likely due to my characteristics, because I was a footballer who ran. And once you run, and you put your heart and soul into it, I think any fan will welcome you with enthusiasm. 

The language was difficult at first. An Italian guy who lived in London helped me with the translations, but I was also welcomed by everyone in the locker room. 

I had made friends in particular with [Bruce] Dyer, [Dean] Gordon, and many others: they gave me that extra push to thrive at Palace.

**Is there a particular performance or goal in a Palace shirt that stands out most to you? Many still talk about your goal in the win over Newcastle at St James' Park?**

That is a wonderful memory. Winning at Newcastle wasn't easy for anyone, and besides, we were playing against one of the best teams of that era.

The first match against Everton I mentioned before, and I won't forget the winning goal in the home derby against Wimbledon!

**When you had the spell in charge as player-manager – how did you feel when you were first offered the role and how did you balance both roles?** 

It was a wonderful experience, which came a bit unexpectedly. 

I didn't have much time to decide, but I only made the decision after speaking with Vialli, who had done the same at Chelsea at the time. He explained to me what I was getting into, that my life would change completely but that it would be a positive experience. 

And so it was. Of course, we had very little chance of staying up, with a truly difficult schedule, but I saw it as an opportunity for personal growth, especially for the future. It taught me to respect and be respected, to judge and be judged, but in a different way, from the opposite side. 

I won't deny that there were some difficulties in this regard: from the very first match, I was on the bench and not in the starting eleven. My instinct was to take on more responsibility as a coach, then I realised that the boys needed me on the pitch too. 

But every experience teaches you something.

**Did that time as player-manager help you know that you wanted to eventually pursue a coaching career?**

Yes, I understood that this was my path. Once my playing career was over, I personally coached in the Sampdoria youth academy and at lower teams, then Mancini called me to join his staff, and there I had to choose. 

I couldn't say no, and I think I made the right choice!

Playing for Crystal Palace will forever be one of the best experiences of my life

**In 2005, you were voted into a Crystal Palace centenary XI. How did it feel to have that recognition from the fans, and what does the club mean to you?** 

It's total recognition from people who live for football: an Italian player making the best eleven of an English club truly is a proud reward, perhaps even more so than a victory on the pitch. 

Playing for Crystal Palace will forever be one of the best experiences of my life. 

I still follow the club’s results of course. I think they've done very well in recent years. 

I'm happy with their FA Cup triumph and their form this season. I remember that in my day, and for a few years, Palace were a "yo-yo team”, relegated and then rebounding, almost cyclically. 

Today, that's no longer the case: they're working really hard, and through their hard work, they're getting some well-deserved satisfaction.

**What do you make of Palace’s quarter-final matchup against Fiorentina?** 

It will be a genuinely fascinating match for both teams. Selhurst Park is a stadium that exudes special emotion, and it will be wonderful experience for Fiorentina to play there. 

For Palace, it will be a great test: it's always difficult to face an Italian team in Europe. 

It’s a tough match to predict!

### **Match Details**

**Fiorentina v Crystal Palace**

- Thursday, 16th April
- 20:00 BST
- UEFA Conference League quarter-final, second leg
- Artemio Franchi Stadium
- [Live audio commentary on Palace TV+](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/supporters/palace-tv-plus/)

Whether you know him as “Popeye”, “The Ostrich” or, most likely, “The Bald Eagle”, when one player accumulates as many nicknames as Attilio Lombardo, they must be doing something right – so it was only fitting we caught up with him ahead of Palace's UEFA Conference League quarter-final with ACF Fiorentina.

Lombardo's Lowdown: 'The Bald Eagle' on Palace's 'well-deserved' European run

Newcastle United

Premier League

Crystal Palace

Last Match

UEFA Conference League

Fiorentina

Next Match

Get ready for Europe!

### Summary:

- Darren Powell makes five changes from the defeat to Nottingham Forest, with several U18s –including Charlie Walker-Smith, Dean Benamar and Benji Casey – unavailable due to preparations for the upcoming FA Youth Cup semi-final.
- 1: It's been a strong start from Palace as Rio Cardines launches the long throw towards the far post and Joe Gibbard hits over on the half-volley from close-range.
- 4 – GOAL: Gibbard’s tenacity pays off as he latches onto Harry Lee’s long goal kick, keeps his composure, and delicately lifts the ball over the onrushing ‘keeper.
- 22: Since the opener, we've been pushing to extend our advantage, with the visitors surviving several shots and crosses.
- 30: Neither ‘keeper has been seriously tested as the game develops into a scrappy contest.
- 33: Cardines' inswinging corner is almost headed home by a rising Craig Farquhar.
- 40: A well-worked move sees Cardines flash a low delivery across the face of goal that the defender manages to block on the slide.
- Two minutes are added on...
- HT: Palace U21s 1-0 Arsenal U21s
- 53: Joel Drakes-Thomas drifts inside, but miscues over the bar.
- 62 – GOAL: JDT’s trickery wins the penalty, and Kaden Rodney steps up to convert, sending the 'keeper the wrong way.
- 70: Jemiah Umolu is nearly played through on goal, but has his momentum disrupted.
- 80: Palace are in complete control, with Harry Lee yet to be seriously tested.
- Five minutes are added on...
- 90 (+2'): Rylan Brownlie forces a strong save from the 'keeper, who tips his effort around the post.
- FT: Palace U21s 2-0 Arsenal U21s
- Palace conclude the PL2 league phase in 10th place on 31 points. As it stands, we will face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the play-offs...

The young Eagles had already secured their place in the Premier League 2 play-offs for a third consecutive season heading into the game, following results elsewhere.

While a top-eight finish was out of reach, Darren Powell’s side were still aiming to finish as high as possible to secure a more favourable seeding for the knockout stages.

Palace sat 13th on 28 points, level with Leicester City, and went into the fixture looking to respond after a 2–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, which ended a three-match unbeaten run.

Arsenal arrived at the VBS in 11th on 29 points, still holding slim hopes of a top-eight finish but requiring a heavy win and a significant goal difference swing.

Darren Powell made five changes from the defeat to Nottingham Forest. Craig Farquhar and George King came into defence, Rio Cardines and Tyle Whyte featured as wing-backs, Kaden Rodney returned in midfield, and Jerry Umolu led the line. 

Several U18s –including Charlie Walker-Smith, Dean Benamar and Benji Casey – were unavailable due to preparations for the upcoming FA Youth Cup semi-final.

Powell’s side started brightly. King’s surging run from inside his own half, followed by a neat give-and-go with Cardines, won a throw-in. The latter delivered towards the far post, where Joe Gibbard fired over on the half-volley from close range.

At the other end, Arsenal issued a warning as Ceadach O'Neill dragged a low effort wide from just outside the penalty area.

That said, Palace made the breakthrough inside four minutes through Gibbard. His tenacity paid off as he chased down Harry Lee’s long goal kick, kept his composure, and delicately lifted the ball over the onrushing 'keeper.

Buoyed by the early goal, the young Eagles applied sustained attacking pressure, with the visitors forced to withstand a flurry of shots, crosses and pinball-like scrambles in the box. Gradually, however, the pendulum swung as Arsenal began to enjoy a spell of possession.

Approaching the latter stages of the first half, neither 'keeper had been seriously tested as the game developed into a scrappy affair. While Palace moved the ball well, they were unable to break down a disciplined Arsenal back line.

The next notable chance fell the way of the hosts as Cardines – emerging as the young Eagles main attacking threat – delivered a pinpoint inswinging corner onto the head of a rising Farquhar, who narrowly missed the target.

Palace continued to push for a second as a well-worked move saw Cardines free on the right to flash a dangerous low ball across the face of goal, which was scrambled away. 

Two minutes of additional time were indicated, and Palace went into the break cruising and with Arsenal yet to seriously test Lee.

The early stages of the second half were evenly matched, with both sides enjoying spells of possession.

On 53 minutes, Farquhar was replaced by Drakes-Thomas, who made an immediate impact, drifting inside before firing over from distance. After a relatively subdued start to the second period, his introduction injected fresh energy into Palace.

Up to the hour mark, the only chance of note had been Umolu’s swivelled effort wide from the left channel. Drakes-Thomas soon changed that, causing persistent problems for the Arsenal defence before driving into the box and winning a penalty.

Kaden Rodney stepped up and made no mistake, sending the 'keeper the wrong way and calmly finding the opposite corner.

As the game moved into its final stages, Umolu was nearly played through on goal, but his run was disrupted, leading to a brief stoppage for treatment and instructions from Powell on seeing the game out. Arsenal, meanwhile, had still yet to call Lee into action.

With ten minutes remaining, Palace were in complete control. Lee commanded his area with authority, claiming every Arsenal cross, while King tracked back superbly to make a crucial last-ditch challenge down the left.

In midfield, Gibbard dictated the tempo, lifting passes in behind and driving the push for a third – near-perfect game management from the hosts.

Five minutes of additional time were indicated, but the Gunners failed to mount any meaningful threat. Palace instead went closest to adding another, with substitute Rylan Brownlie forcing a strong save from the 'keeper, who tipped his effort around the post.

The result sees Palace conclude the Premier League 2 league phase in 10th place on 31 points. As it stands, they will face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the play-offs, with final positions to be confirmed on 17th April once all teams have completed their 20 matches.

**Palace:** Lee, Cardines, Farquhar (Drakes-Thomas, 53’), Gibbard, Jemide, King, Reid, Rodney, Umolu (Brownlie, 79’), Whyte, Williams (Obou, 92’).

**Subs not used:** Izquierdo, Adams-Collman.

**Arsenal:** Ranson, Hamill (Ferdinand, 45’) Washington, Clarke ©, Salmon (Ogunnaike, 45’), Ibrahim, Stevens (Dudziak, 58’), Agustien, Mooney (Bailey-Joseph, 79’), O’Neill, Harriman-Annous

**Subs not used:** Porter.

Crystal Palace Under-21s concluded their Premier League 2 league phase and head into the play-offs on the back of a comfortable 2–0 victory over Arsenal on Monday evening (13th April) at the VBS Community Stadium. 

U21 Report & Highlights: Palace enter PL2 play-offs with comfortable win over Arsenal

Crystal Palace U21 v Arsenal U21 (2026-04-13)

That sickness in the pit of your stomach. That sinking feeling. We’ve all had it. That slow, dawning realisation that after the 5am alarm call, the three-hour train journey – with two cancellations and a rail replacement bus service of course – and the overzealous search on the way into the ground, that it might not turn out to be your day after all.

You reassure yourself with the positives: it’s been a fun day out; you have scored yourself a well-earned point, and maybe ticked off another new ground along the way; the teams around us might drop points too. But in the end, it's only going to be a draw.

The one thing that keeps you going, singing until the end and resisting the urge to beat the crowds back to the station, is that thought gnawing in the back of your mind: ‘Could we get a late goal here…?’

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Scenes. <a href="https://t.co/kOovvzKuHi">pic.twitter.com/kOovvzKuHi</a></p>&mdash; Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/CPFC/status/2043614827004735910?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It’s a seed that was planted years ago. ‘You remember, that one time that player did that thing?’ you hastily explain to the grumpy man next to you, realising you’re making little sense, gabbling more in hope than in expectation.

It’s a dangerous thought too. Sometimes you try to will a goal into existence, using up your final reserves of good humour so that when it doesn’t materialise you are far more anguished than if you had just accepted your fate.

But when it does happen, when the net does bulge with seconds remaining, it is like entering a thus-undiscovered state of euphoria reserved only for those who kept the faith.

David Hopkin wheels away at Wembley (1996/97)

Clinton Morrison slots home against Sheffield Wednesday (1997/98)

Jobi McAnuff smashes home the winner at Brighton (2005/06)

Sean Scannell was the hero against Sheffield Wednesday (2007/08)

Dwight Gayle is congratulated by Julian Speroni at Villa Park (2013/14)

Ayew spun and won it against West Ham (2019/20)

Christian Benteke scores his iconic volley (2020/21)

Wilfried Zaha celebrates his injury-time stunner at Southampton (2021/22)

Michael Olise stole the headlines against West Ham (2022/23)

Some players react with immense cool when it happens, almost the antithesis of the bedlam they have unleashed in the stands. Michael Olise, for example, grinning slyly with his arms outstretched after his 94th-minute winner against West Ham United.

Match action: West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Speaking of players showing their joy against West Ham... any excuse to watch this moment again from Jordan Ayew, against the Hammers at Selhurst on Boxing Day. Now that's a festive feeling!

Others can’t contain their joy. Wilfried Zaha, twisting and turning away from the defender before firing home from distance against Southampton, could barely decide which celebration to deploy to mark the moment and ended up a blur of arms and legs, somehow jumping, running, punching the air and roaring all at once.

There are plenty of examples over the years. David 'Hopkin-looking-to-curl-one' at Wembley, picking out the top corner in the nick of time. Dwight Gayle at Villa Park, doing just the same to boost Palace's quest for survival.

There is Clinton Morrison's fine finish against Sheffield Wednesday, coming off the bench to pounce and secure a vital three points for Palace. Jobi McAnuff and Sean Scannell joined the ranks of the 'super sub', the former scoring a dramatic winner against Brighton & Hove Albion as the Eagles completed a famous turnaround, the latter bagging against Sheffield Wednesday.

There is a certain melancholy that perhaps one of the greatest late strikes came behind closed doors, when Christian Benteke volleyed home the unlikeliest of winners away at Brighton & Hove Albion. The only consolation, as chaos erupted in living rooms across South London, was being able to hear the players and staff going crazy, and Joel Ward’s now-legendary proclamation: ‘Smash and grab, baby!’

Brighton 1-2 Crystal Palace |  Extended Highlights

Another of our favourites of recent times... take it away, Jean-Philippe Mateta against Leicester City.

All the angles of Mateta winner

And last, but by no means least – one of our favourite goals at Selhurst Park of all-time, as Eddie Nketiah blasted home Palace's latest-ever winning goal in the Premier League back in September 2025 against the reigning champions Liverpool – at that stage undefeated in the season.

Not any more, they weren't.

ALL ANGLES | Nketiah's Last-minute Winner

Is there a better feeling in football than the one shared by all - well, most - inside Selhurst Park on Sunday, as Jean-Philippe Mateta converted a 95th-minute penalty to seal three points against Newcastle? Celebrate the drama by looking back at some of Palace's best last-minute winners...

Crystal Palace's love affair with late winners

Crystal Palace v Newcastle United (2026-04-12)

Club

Club

Lombardo's Lowdown: 'The Bald Eagle' on Palace's 'well-deserved' European run

U21 Report & Highlights: Palace enter PL2 play-offs with comfortable win over Arsenal

Crystal Palace's love affair with late winners

Get ready for Europe!

3Tyrick
Mitchell

Club

Club

Lombardo's Lowdown: 'The Bald Eagle' on Palace's 'well-deserved' European run

U21 Report & Highlights: Palace enter PL2 play-offs with comfortable win over Arsenal

Crystal Palace's love affair with late winners

Get ready for Europe!

3TyrickMitchell

3Tyrick
Mitchell