Athletic Club U21

Premier League International Cup

Crystal Palace

Premier League

Leeds United

Elland Road

Tottenham Hotspur

Selhurst Park

Fulham

Crystal Palace U21

Total shots

Shots on target

Corners

Passes completed

Free kicks

Offsides

**The scenes of jubilation which greeted the full-time whistle at Selhurst Park were befitting of the team's incredible journey to that point, which started just shy of a year ago – 23rd May, 2023 – at the same ground.**

**This is the story of how they did it...**

### Introducing the Premier League International Cup

The Premier League International Cup pits 12 Category 1 sides from England against 12 of the best European sides in three separate groups of eight.

In each group, four English sides were drawn against four European sides. The English sides played each European side once, and did not play one another, with all ties contested in England.

The top two teams from each group, along with two of the best third-place sides, progressed to the quarter-finals.

Palace this season entered the tournament for the second time in their history, having [finished runners-up last season to Jong PSV](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/academy/crystal-palace-u21-season-review-2223/).

The Young Eagles enjoyed a fine run to the final in their first-ever entry into the competition, memorably putting seven goals past Paris Saint-Germain in the group stages; overcoming Liverpool on Merseyside; and defeating Valencia Mestalla in a nerve-racking penalty shootout 

But despite largely having the better of the play in normal time, Palace's dreams last season fell at the final hurdle in the additional 30 minutes against Jong PSV, the youth side of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, who play in the second-tier and whose greater experience eventually told.

PL International Cup Final Highlights: Palace 1-3 PSV

Entering the tournament in the group stages again this season, Palace were drawn in Group C to face Athletic Club, Benfica, Feyenoord and Monaco.

### Group stage: Athletic Club

#### 1-1 draw

**VBS Community Stadium, Sutton; Wednesday, 27th September 2023**

The first opponents for Powell’s side, back in September, were Athletic Club B. The Spanish giants are famed for their policy of only utilising players born, or trained in, the Basque Country -  an autonomous region in the north of Spain and southwestern France.

This policy extends to the youth sides and has seen the club produce the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Aymeric Laporte and Iñaki Williams.

Athletic Club B play in the Segunda Federación Group II, the fourth tier of Spanish football. They were recently relegated from the Primera Federación - Group II last season and are coached by former player Carlos Gurpegui. He came through the ranks at Basconia, an affiliate club which feeds directly into Athletic Club B.

They had previously competed in every iteration of the Premier League International Cup, apart from last season, though they have never made it beyond the quarter-finals.

In their [opening clash with the Basque giants, Palace drew 1-1](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/crystal-palace-athletic-club-bilbao-premier-league-international-cup-2324/) - with Seán Grehan's header in the first-half being cancelled out by Aimar Duñabeitia.

A point gave the Eagles a basis to work on – their campaign was off to a strong start.

International Cup Highlights: Crystal Palace 1-1 Athletic Club

### Group stage: AS Monaco

#### 3-1 win

**VBS Community Stadium, Sutton; Tuesday, 24th October 2023**

Hailing from one of the biggest and most successful clubs in French football, Palace faced a stern test against one of the most reputable Academies in France back in October.

Monaco's academy has produced global football superstars such as Kylian Mbappé, Thierry Henry, Lillian Thuram, Emmanuel Petit, and David Trezeguet.

AS Monaco Groupe Elite, as they are known, previously competed in the Championnat National 2 - the fourth tier of the French football pyramid. They were relegated at the end of 2021/22 and mostly play friendlies against various French and European sides.

Monaco have been regulars in the Premier League International Cup since 2019/20 and also recorded a quarter-final finish in 2020.

Palace took on a strong Monaco side as they welcomed them to the VBS Community Stadium, but they were no match for new summer signing Matheus França as he scored the opening goal in his first-ever game in red and blue.

A stunning strike from Malcolm Ebiowei and a late breakaway goal from Roshaun Mathurin saw [the Eagles emerge 3-1 winners to move top of their group](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/crystal-palace-monaco-premier-league-international-cup-2324/).

U21 Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-1 AS Monaco

### Group stage: SL Benfica

#### 2-1 win

**VBS Community Stadium, Sutton; Wednesday, 6th December 2023**

The most decorated club in Portuguese football, also known as ‘The Eagles', Benfica are not only one of the big three clubs in Portugal, but also one of the top 10 clubs in UEFA’s official rankings, participating in 43 seasons of European football, second only to Real Madrid.

Benfica’s Academy have produced a number of exceptional players throughout the years including the likes of Rui Costa, Ruében Dias and Nené.

They currently compete in the Liga Portugal 2, the second tier of Portuguese football. Last season, they registered a 15th-place finish.

The Portuguese Eagles have competed in all but one iteration of the Premier League International Cup, reaching the quarter-final on two occasions.

In their final home game of 2023, Palace hosted Benfica and managed to come away with all three points.

An early Mathurin goal followed by a second-half strike from Ademola Ola-Adebomi saw the [south London Eagles come up trumps against the Portuguese Eagles](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/crystal-palace-sl-benfica-premier-league-international-cup-u21-2324/) to top the group once more.

International Cup Highlights: Crystal Palace 2-1 SL Benfica

### Group stage: Feyenoord

#### 1-1 draw

**Crystal Palace Academy; Wednesday, 17th January 2024**

Palace’s final opponents in the group were Feyenoord. The Dutch senior side won the Eredivisie last season and have historically enjoyed a strong presence of Academy graduates in their squad.

Some of the graduates from Feyenoord’s Academy over the years include Nathan Aké, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Robin van Persie and Georginio Wijnaldum.

They currently compete in the Divisie 1 U21, the top division of youth football in the Netherlands.

The Dutch outfit have competed in four out of the seven iterations of the Premier League International Cup, though they have never progressed beyond the group stage.

With two wins and a draw, Palace only needed a point against Feyenoord to progress to the quarter-finals – and, after a battling display, they achieved just that.

An upset looked like it was on the cards as the Dutch outfit took the lead early on, though Luke Plange quickly equalised five minutes later.

[The match finished as a 1-1 draw,](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/report-plange-pounces-as-palace-u21s-reach-last-eight-of-international-cup/) and that was enough to see the south Londoners through to the quarter-final.

International Cup Highlights: Palace 1-1 Feyenoord

### Quarter-finals: Wolverhampton Wanderers

#### 3-0 win

**VBS Community Stadium, Sutton; Monday, 26th February 2024**

After progressing through the group stage, Palace faced domestic opponents Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League International Cup quarter-final. 

Wolves had previously topped their group going into this game, with wins against PSV, Sparta Prague and Nice. They also recorded a draw against Hertha Berlin.

Palace duly welcomed the West Midlands outfit to the VBS Community Stadium, and managed to [put three past them with no reply](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/crystal-palace-wolverhampton-wanderers-u21-premier-league-international-cup-quarter-final/).

A brace for Danny Imray, which were two brilliantly taken goals, along with a fine finish from Mathurin saw Darren Powell's side ease into the semi-finals with their fourth win in their last five games across all competitions at the time.

International Cup Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

### Semi-finals: Everton

#### 4-2 win

**VBS Community Stadium, Sutton; Monday, 26th February 2024**

The semi-finals saw Palace paired with Merseyside outfit Everton at Selhurst Park – and something of a cup thriller ensued.

Fine finishes from Franco Umeh, Trialist, Imray and Justin Devenny saw our U21s soar past the Toffees 4-2 – but they were made to work for it.

A vociferous home crowd of just shy of 800 at Selhurst roared on the boys in red and blue, with Palace going into a commanding position with Umeh and Trialist goals either side of half-time from cut-backs – only for Jenson Metcalfe's low cross to evade everyone and go straight in.

There was plenty of space for Palace to utilise on the counter-attack as Everton poured bodies forwards in search of an equaliser, and Imray did just that with a tidy near-post finish.

But with five minutes remaining, there was a grandstand finish as Metcalfe won and scored a penalty.

Just as the attacks kept on coming, in the third minute of injury time, Palace intercepted the ball on the edge of the box, Mathurin played a diagonal ball forwards, Trialist – two-on-one – headed down for Devenny on the edge of the area – and the midfielder dispatched his effort with aplomb.

Counter-attacking football at its best – the game, the tie, the occasion in the Premier League International Cup, was once again Crystal Palace's. 

Two final appearances in two seasons in the competition;  Palace were up for a shot at revenge.

Premier League International Cup Highlights: Crystal Palace 4-2 Everton

### Final: Jong PSV

#### 1-0 win

**Selhurst Park; Wednesday, 15th May 2024**

Heading into this year's final, much like last season, PSV had enjoyed a strong showing in the tournament. 

The Dutch team had won three of their four group-stage games, which included 7-0 thrashing of Leeds United, before coming from behind at Stamford Bridge to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

It was a similar story for the PSV in the semi-final, as they were 2-0 down at half-time against West Ham United, but somehow fought back to win 3-2 in stoppage time.

But this time, the night belonged to Crystal Palace.

A superb counter-attacking display, capped by Franco Umeh’s deflected effort midway through the second-half, saw the Eagles take Jong PSV’s Premier League International Cup crown with a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park.

Premier League International Cup Final Highlights: Crystal Palace 1-0 PSV Eindhoven

They were backed by another strong attendance – with over 2,000 tickets sold ahead of kick-off – on a glorious early summer’s eve in SE25.

The Eagles admittedly rode their luck at times throughout the game, with goalkeeper and captain Joe Whitworth an outstanding performer between the posts – with two first-half saves in particular of the highest calibre.

But that display, coupled with Franco Umeh’s deflected second-half strike, and an incredible show of resilience throughout the young Palace team was enough, on this occasion, to keep the trophy in south London.

“It’s massive, massive \[for the club\] – and for the players as well,” head coach Powell told Palace TV. “I say for the players, but coming here last year and losing the final… we couldn't do it again. We couldn't do it again, and that was the mantra.

"It wasn't our best performance, but we were up against a really good side. They were really good side last year, and again, they've just got very good players. And then we rode our luck, yes, but that's football. That's football.

“I said before the game: it's about creating memories. As they go on in their life, life's all about memories, right? And wherever they go in the game, you shouldn't forget these memories.

“This \[the Palace Academy\] is a school of football. You go into the professional game, and you look back - it's still part of you. That's why I said ‘create memories. I know it was a bad memory last year, but let's create a good memory and carry that for the rest of your days.’”

This night was theirs – forever.

Crystal Palace Under-21s emerged triumphant against Jong PSV in the final of the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday night – becoming just the second English Academy to claim the European trophy.

Palace's Premier League International Cup triumph: How they did it

Crystal Palace U21 v Feyenoord U21 (2024-01-17)

Crystal Palace U21 v Benfica U21 (2023-12-06)

Crystal Palace U21 v Monaco U21 (2023-10-24)

Crystal Palace U21 v Athletic Club U21 (2023-09-27)

Crystal Palace U21 v Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 (2024-02-26)

Crystal Palace U21 v Everton U21 (2024-04-16)

Crystal Palace U21 v PSV Eindhoven U21 (2024-05-15)

## Summary

- Akinwale came in as the only change for Palace

- Lopez tested Whitworth early on with a tame effort

- Grehan put in a last-ditch challenge to deny Gift 15 minutes in

- Palace struck the bar through Devenny a few minutes later

- Grehan heads Palace in front just before half-time

- Seconds before the break, Mustapha hits the bar for Palace

- **HT: Palace 1-0 Athletic**

- Akinwale was denied by the post early on in the second-half

- Duñabeitia equalises for the visitors in the 59th minute

- Umeh threatened as the game went on

- **FT:  Palace 1-1 Athletic**

Four days on from [the late defeat to Nottingham Forest](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/nottingham-forest-crystal-palace-premier-league-2-2324/) in the Premier League 2, Crystal Palace Under-21s returned to action for their first game of the Premier League International Cup.

Head coach Darren Powell made one change to the side which faced Forest as Victor Akinwale came in for Ademola Ola-Adebomi, [who was with the first-team](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/first-team/who-is-ademola-ola-adebomi-crystal-palace-manchester-united-carabao-cup/). 

The visitors threatened early on through Inigio Lopez, though his effort from the edge of the box was tame and well held by Joe Whitworth in the Palace goal.

Athletic were in with a gilt-edged chance a quarter of an hour in as defender Chris Francis slipped, however captain and fellow centre-back partner Seán Grehan recovered in time to block Elijah Gift’s effort inside the box.

Palace came agonisingly close to taking the lead just a few minutes later after Justin Devenny hit the crossbar. Roshaun Mathurin’s free-kick in wasn’t dealt with, and it fell to the midfielder inside the box who struck it on the volley against the woodwork.

It looked as though Palace were going to go in level at the break, though the skipper had other ideas. A dangerous ball from a Mathurin corner towards the far post picked out Grehan who headed in his second of the season from close range, inside the six yard box, to give Palace the lead. 

A goal to the good, the Eagles looked to see out the half. They almost went in two goals up - a short free-kick routine picked out Hindolo Mustapha on the edge of the box and the midfielder’s first-time effort cannoned back out off the crossbar.

Palace came out after the break in search of a second and nearly claimed one early on in the half through another set piece. Another corner from Mathurin was aimed in at Grehan who headed back across goal towards Akinwale - Palace’s No. 9 flicked it on and saw his effort bounce off the post and into the ‘keeper's hands.

Athletic, looking for an equaliser, threatened early on in the second-half on a counter attack, however Noah Watson did brilliantly to track back and cut off Gift from creating a chance.

The Basque outfit did manage to find an equaliser and it came through a corner of their own. A whipped ball in from a corner picked out Aimar Duñabeitia in the box and the defender headed home the equaliser for the visitors.

With the game level pegging, the two sides were in search of what proved to be an elusive winner in the remaining half an hour. Franco Umeh was the focal point of the Palace attacks, though his two major chances were just wide of the mark and denied by Oier Gastesi in the Athletic goal.

The visitors best chance in the remaining half hour came through their striker Lopez, though Whitworth saved and held onto his effort on the counter. Late changes for Palace which introduced three Under-18s players into the U21s squad for the first time didn’t see them claim all three points.

A point apiece for both sides sees Athletic ahead of Palace by virtue of alphabetical ordering. The Basque side are second whilst the Eagles are third. Monaco top Group C after beating Liverpool.

**Palace:** Whitworth (GK), Imray, Grehan, Francis, Watson, Raymond (Austin, 90), Devenny, Mustapha (Marsh, 79), Umeh (Cardines 90+4), Akinwale, Mathurin.

Subs not used: Izquierdo (GK), Grante, Derry, Sheridan.

**Athletic:** Gastesi (GK), Palacín (Vicandi, 81), Barandalla, Duñabeitia, de Luis (Ebro, 56), Rego, Gift, Bito (Alboniga-Menor, 72), López (Hierro, 72), Canales (Arredondo, 81), Bilbao.

Subs not used: Santos (GK), Huestamendia.

Crystal Palace Under-21s shared the spoils with Athletic Club U21s on a rainy September evening at the VBS Community Stadium. Captain Seán Grehan’s first-half header was cancelled out by Aimar Duñabeitia’s equaliser in the second-half.

Report & Highlights: Palace held by Athletic Club in International Cup opener

The fixture marks the first game of the new Premier League International Cup campaign for Darren Powell’s side, having [made the final of the tournament last season](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/match-report-crystal-palace-under-21s-jong-psv-cup-final/). They have been drawn in Group C and will face not only Spanish giants Bilbao, but also Benfica, Feyenoord and Monaco.

Incidentally, this is [the first of 12 allotted games that the Under-21s will play at Sutton United’s VBS Community Stadium](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/crystal-palace-under-21s-games-sutton-united-stadium/). Fans can be there to see every minute of the action unfold by purchasing tickets from just £2 - [click HERE for more information](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Event/Index/189?position=4).

Tickets can also be purchased on the gate at the VBS Community Stadium.

Buy tickets

### The Premier League International Cup

The Premier League International Cup pits 12 Category 1 sides from England against 12 of the best European sides in three separate groups of eight.

In each group, the four English sides will face the four European sides once. The English sides will not play each other in the group stage.

The top two from each group, along with two of the best third-place sides, will progress to the quarter-finals.

The Premier League International Cup isn’t the only competition that Palace U21s are competing in this season. They [got off to a winning start in their Premier League Cup campaign](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/middlesbrough-crystal-palace-premier-league-cup-2324/) and will also[ face League One and League Two opposition in the EFL Trophy](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/crystal-palace-under-21s-efl-trophy-fixtures-2324/).

Crystal Palace Under-21s begin their Premier League International Cup campaign against Athletic Club U21s TONIGHT -  Wednesday, 27th September (19:00 BST) – and you can be there to back the boys!

Premier League International CupVBS Community Stadium

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