CRYSTAL PALACE
Premier League, Selhurst Park, Sunday 21 April 2024, 3pm BST
Almost a year to the day since last visiting Selhurst Park, West Ham United cross the River Thames again and head to south London to face Crystal Palace.
The Eagles are now managed by a man who may give David Moyes reason to frown when he meets him on the touchline, for Oliver Glasner was the man who coached Eintracht Frankfurt to victory over West Ham United in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League in May 2022.
The Austrian went on to guide the German side to victory over Rangers in the final, before departing Frankfurt at the end of last season.
In February, the 49-year-old was appointed to succeed Roy Hodgson. Since then, Palace have won just twice, but did beat title challengers Liverpool at Anfield on their last outing on Sunday 14 April.
Palace have won eight of their 32 Premier League matches this season, with nine draws contributing to 33 points that has kept them clear of immediate relegation danger. However, Glasner will want to reach 40 as soon as possible, so he can start planning in earnest for next season.
The 2,687 West Ham fans who head to Selhurst Park will be situated in the Arthur Wait Stand, which is accessible from Park Road.
How to get there…
Take public transport!
South London is a nightmare to drive around and parking in the vicinity of Selhurst Park is also extremely limited, so let the train take the strain.
The nearest stations are Selhurst, Thornton Heath or Norwood Junction, all of which are served by London Victoria services and are within ten-15 minutes’ walk of the ground. Both Thornton Heath and Norwood Junction are also served by trains from London Bridge.
London Overground services, which interchange with London Underground Jubilee line services at Canada Water and Elizabeth, District and Hammersmith and City line services at Whitechapel, also serve Norwood Junction.
Where to stay…
It is highly unlikely you will be staying overnight in south London, but since the game was moved to a Sunday, you may decide to stay over on Saturday night in the vicinity of Selhurst Park.
While the area around the ground itself is a bit short of accommodation options, Croydon has a number of larger hotels, while central London is only a shortish train ride away.
What to do…
Boasting sweeping views of London from its high vantage point, Crystal Palace is home to antique shops, hip cafes and a park filled with the world’s oldest dinosaur sculptures in Crystal Palace Park.
If you fancy a pre-match pint, the most popular spot for away fans is the Prince George, which is a ten-minute walk from the stadium on the corner between High Street and White Horse Lane. An alternative is The Railway Telegraph near to Thornton Heath station.
Obviously, central London and its myriad of attractions are near enough to visit.
What’s happened there before…
West Ham United have tasted defeat at Crystal Palace just twice in our last nine visits, winning five and drawing two.
However, last season’s trip, on 27 April 2023, ended in a dramatic 3-4 defeat clinched for the Eagles by Eberechi Eze’s second-half penalty.
The Hammers had won 3-2 at Selhurst Park in each of the previous two seasons, 2020/21 and 2021/22, with Manuel Lanzini scoring twice in the latter, including the Club’s Goal of the Season, and Tomáš Souček netting twice in 2020/21.
We also scored Premier League wins at Selhurst Park in October 2016, when Lanzini netted the only goal, October 2015, when Dimitri Payet was at his brilliant best in a 3-1 victory, and August 2014, when Carlton Cole was among the scorers in a 3-1 success.
Our biggest-ever league win at Selhurst Park was the 3-0 victory we achieved in October 1971, when debutant Ade Coker was on the scoresheet alongside Clyde Best and Billy Bonds.
