One of the most eagerly anticipated days in football fans’ calendars is just around the corner, with Crystal Palace’s 2022/23 Premier League campaign kicking off this Friday at home to Arsenal.
The opening weekend over the past 30 years has given fans countless memorable and iconic moments, as clubs look to set the tone for the rest of the season. Head-to-head virtual trading platform, SportsBroker, surveyed Palace fans to find out their sides’ ‘Most Memorable Premier League Opening Day Moment.’*
It was Palace’s return the Premier League in 1997 that was voted the number one moment by fans (52%), with an inspiring 2-1 victory away to Everton. Attilio Lombardo and Bruce Dyer were on the scoresheet that day as the Eagles marked their return to the big time with a surprise win.
Wayne Hennessey’s heroics in 2018 helped Palace to deflate Fulham in a 2-0 away victory was voted second by fans (18%). Yohan Cabaye’s late winner against Norwich City in 2015 was third (6%).
Premier League fans were also asked to vote for the ‘Most Memorable Premier League Moment of All Time’, with David Beckham’s half-way line strike vs Wimbledon in 1996 topping the list (35.9%).
Phil Williams, Chief Marketing Officer at SportsBroker, commented: “Memorable moments shape a season for any club and ahead of the new campaign starting, we were keen to get a fan point of view and what they felt was the most iconic opening day moment in the last 30 years of Premier League football. That surprise win in 1997 shows the opening day can bring a few surprises – will there be anything like it this weekend? Who knows – that’s the beauty of opening day fixtures, you just never know what will happen.”
For fans looking to test their football knowledge ahead of the new Premier League season, SportsBroker’s ‘Perfect Match’ offer will see them match deposits between £10 and £20 for new customers. To find out more and get this offer, visit Sportsbroker.com
*Research was completed by SportsBroker in partnership with YouGov, and surveyed 1,000 UK adults aged 18+ who are fans of the associated clubs.
