Twelve Crystal Palace loanees were in action across the English Football League and beyond this past week, with several enjoying busy schedules that included two fixtures in quick succession.
Danny Imray’s impressive form for West Bromwich Albion was rewarded with the club’s Player of the Match award following an influential display against Hull City, while Tayo Adaramola’s energetic performances at wing-back for Sheffield Wednesday continue to draw praise from Owls boss Henrik Pedersen.
Below is a full round-up of how our loanees fared over the past week...
Imray enjoyed a standout week in the Championship, completing back-to-back 90-minute appearances and earning West Bromwich Albion’s Player of the Match award in Saturday’s impressive victory over Hull City.
The defender first featured in Albion’s midweek clash with Southampton at The Hawthorns, where the hosts were ultimately forced to settle for a point after conceding a late equaliser.
Jayson Molumby’s opener had given the Baggies a deserved first-half lead following a disciplined display that kept Southampton quiet for much of the opening period. Albion continued to defend resolutely after the break, but Cyle Larin’s stoppage-time header meant the spoils were shared in a 1–1 draw.
Imray once again impressed across the full 90 minutes, continuing a run of eye-catching displays that have earned him praise from supporters and teammates alike.
Speaking after the Southampton game, the 22-year-old reflected positively on his recent form but stressed the importance of maintaining consistency.
“I don’t want to rest on my laurels,” he told West Brom’s club media. “Two good performances doesn’t mean anything in the bigger picture. I need to keep putting in those performances consistently and hopefully those displays can help the team pick up the points we require.”
He carried that momentum into Saturday’s fixture against Hull City.
West Brom produced an electric first-half performance on their way to a commanding 3–0 victory at The Hawthorns. Imray was heavily involved early on, seeing a volley saved inside the opening minutes as Albion made a fast start.
Goals from Josh Maja and Aune Heggebø put the hosts firmly in control before Imray provided the assist for the third deep into stoppage time. Breaking forward down the right channel, he pulled the ball back perfectly into the path of Isaac Price, who smashed home first time to complete the scoring.
The assist capped an excellent all-round performance, with Imray subsequently voted Player of the Match.
The unbeaten week lifted West Brom into 21st place in the Championship, level on 40 points with Portsmouth and just outside the relegation zone places. Albion are back in league action next weekend when they face Bristol City.
Watch Imray's assist for the last-gasp winner, below!
Adaramola completed the full 90 minutes in both of Sheffield Wednesday’s Championship fixtures this week, continuing to grow into his role at left wing-back.
He featured prominently in Tuesday night’s 1–1 draw with Watford at Hillsborough, a match that also marked captain Liam Palmer’s 500th appearance for the club.
Jerry Yates gave Wednesday the lead with his third goal in as many games, and Adaramola played an important part in the hosts’ defensive effort as they looked set to secure a valuable maiden home victory. However, substitute Vivaldo Semedo struck late on to salvage a point for Watford.
Adaramola’s display once again underlined his defensive capabilities. Despite facing Watford’s highly-rated attacker Nestory Irankunda, the Palace loanee recorded more tackles than any other player on the pitch.
His performances have not gone unnoticed by manager Henrik Pedersen, who recently praised the 22-year-old’s hunger to improve and willingness to learn.
Pedersen revealed that the coaching staff have been working closely with Adaramola on aspects of his game such as his crossing, while highlighting the defender’s strong mentality and physical attributes.
Wednesday returned to Hillsborough on Saturday to host promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town. The Owls produced a determined defensive display and frustrated their visitors for long periods, with the match appearing to be heading for a draw.
However, two late goals from Ivan Azón and Jack Clarke ultimately secured a 2–0 victory for Ipswich.
Adaramola again completed the full match and showed his desire to get forward from wing-back, particularly in the second half, as Wednesday searched for an attacking breakthrough.
Rak-Sakyi featured twice for Stoke City during a lively week of Championship action for the Potters.
The winger started and played the full 90 minutes in Tuesday’s thrilling 3–3 draw with Ipswich Town at the bet365 Stadium.
Stoke made a superb start, with Milan Smit and Bae Junho both finding the net to give Mark Robins’ side a two-goal advantage at half-time.
Rak-Sakyi played an important role in one of the hosts’ best attacking moves of the first half. Linking play in midfield, he combined cleverly with Junho before the South Korea international saw his shot deflected behind.
The 23-year-old also caused problems from set pieces, delivering a swirling corner that forced Ipswich ‘keeper Christian Walton to push the ball away from under his crossbar.
Late in the contest, Rak-Sakyi came close to scoring himself when he flashed an effort across the face of goal, only for Dara O’Shea to stretch out and clear the danger.
Stoke returned to action on Saturday and secured a 3–1 victory over Watford to extend their unbeaten run at home to four matches.
Million Manhoef scored either side of half-time to put the Potters in control before substitute Sam Gallagher added a third after Watford had briefly reduced the deficit through Nestory Irankunda.
Rak-Sakyi entered the game in the 78th minute, replacing Manhoef as Stoke saw out the closing stages.
The win lifted Stoke into 13th place in the Championship on 51 points, level with Norwich City and Bristol City. Their next fixture comes on Friday (20th March) when they face Preston North End.
Whitworth continued his run of starts for Exeter City, playing the full 90 minutes in both of their League One fixtures this week.
The 22-year-old first featured in Tuesday’s narrow 1–0 defeat to league leaders Lincoln City at St James Park.
Lincoln started strongly and tested Whitworth on several occasions, with efforts from Tom Reach and Ryan One forcing the Palace loanee into a series of sharp stops as he helped keep Exeter in the contest.
Despite his efforts, the Grecians were unable to find an equaliser in a hard-fought match.
Exeter returned to St James Park on Saturday to face Cardiff City but suffered a 4–0 defeat.
Whitworth was still called upon to produce a number of interventions throughout the game. With the score still 0–0 in the first half, Omari Kellyman sent a curling effort towards goal that drifted narrowly wide of the post.
Later in the second period, Whitworth reacted well to deny former Exeter midfielder Joel Colwill from close range, producing a strong save to prevent a fourth goal.
Exeter remain without a win in 11 matches and will look to end that run when they travel to Kenilworth Road to face Luton Town on Tuesday (17th March) in their next League One fixture.
Ozoh featured for Derby County in their midweek Championship clash with Millwall at The Den.
The 20-year-old played the opening 45 minutes in a physical contest in South-East London, helping Derby compete strongly in midfield during the early stages.
Ozoh was involved in several robust duels as the Rams looked to establish control of possession, but Millwall eventually broke the deadlock shortly before half-time when Josh Coburn struck.
Derby pushed for an equaliser in the second half, with chances falling to Patrick Agyemang, Lewis Travis and Jaydon Banel, but the hosts held on for a 1–0 victory.
Ozoh made way at half-time as Derby introduced Bobby Clark for the second period.
The Rams will next be in Championship action on Monday (16th March) when they travel to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth in an evening kick-off.
Esse made two substitute appearances for Coventry City as the Sky Blues experienced mixed fortunes in the Championship this week.
The attacking midfielder was introduced just after the hour mark in Wednesday’s convincing 3–0 victory over Preston North End.
Coventry extended their impressive winning run to six matches thanks to goals from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Brandon Thomas-Asante and a Matt Grimes penalty.
Esse came close to adding to the scoreline late on as Coventry continued to push forward in the closing stages, but the 20-year-old was unable to convert.
Frank Lampard’s side returned to action on Saturday but saw their winning run come to an end in a 2–1 defeat to Southampton.
Esse was again introduced in the second half as Coventry chased the game. After Flynn Downes and Kuryu Matsuki had put Southampton ahead, Victor Torp pulled a goal back in the 90th minute to set up a tense finish.
During stoppage time the ball broke kindly to Esse inside the penalty area during a scramble, but he was unable to turn the opportunity into an equaliser as Southampton held on for the win.
Mustapha was included in the West Bromwich Albion squad for both of their Championship fixtures this week.
The attacker came on as a 92nd-minute substitute in Wednesday’s 1–1 draw with Southampton, replacing Aune Heggebø as Albion pushed for a late winner.
Mustapha was also named among the substitutes for Saturday’s 3–0 victory over Hull City as the Baggies completed an unbeaten week.
Goodman started both of Barnsley’s League One fixtures this week, producing important saves in each match.
The Reds began with a 1–1 draw against Cardiff City. Rubin Colwill opened the scoring early on with a well-placed effort that left Goodman with little chance, but Barnsley responded through Scott Banks.
With the scores level in the second half, Goodman produced an excellent save to deny Cian Ashford, reacting quickly to keep out the forward’s powerful strike and maintain parity.
Barnsley were back in action on Saturday away at Mansfield Town, where they suffered a late blow in a dramatic contest.
Goodman made an early save, getting down well to his bottom-right corner to deny Frazer Blake-Tracy from inside the penalty area.
Although Lucas Akins converted a penalty despite Goodman diving the right way, and Stephen McLaughlin struck late to secure a point for Mansfield, the 22-year-old once again produced a reliable display between the posts.
França was named among the substitutes for Vasco da Gama’s Campeonato Brasileiro Série A clash with Palmeiras.
Vasco secured an impressive 2–1 victory on Thursday, although the Palace attacker remained an unused substitute on the night.
Ouedraogo was involved in both of SV Beveren’s matches this week in Belgium.
The midfielder was an unused substitute in Wednesday’s 2–1 victory over RWDM Brussels before coming off the bench in Saturday’s 2–2 draw with Club NXT.
Grante played the full 90 minutes in St Albans City’s 1–1 draw with Chichester City in the Isthmian Premier Division on Saturday. The defender delivered another solid performance as his side shared the points.
Henry also completed the full match for Hassocks this week. Despite taking the lead, his side were ultimately beaten 2–1 by Merstham, who produced a late turnaround to claim all three points.
Hill enjoyed a productive week for Raynes Park Vale, starting both matches and producing a string of important saves.
The 19-year-old helped his side secure a 3–2 victory over Hartley Wintney on Tuesday before following that up with another strong display in Saturday’s goalless draw with Horndean.
Raynes Park Vale currently sit 10th in the Isthmian League South Central Division, level on 45 points with Kingstonian and Hartley Wintney.
Last season, Owen Goodman, Danny Imray, Tayo Adaramola and Joe Whitworth all featured featured in the Palace TV series Loan Life, where our cameras gained an unprecedented insight into their time adapting to new clubs and developing in the Football League.
Watch every episode on Palace TV now!
