In this edition, we look back at a home fixture with Ipswich which was another memorable result in our historic 2024/25 campaign ending in FA Cup winning glory at Wembley.
However, this win came at a key time in the campaign where Palace had found impressive form whilst our opponents were hurtling towards an early return to the Championship
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell, Sarr, Eze, Nketiah
Ipswich Town XI: Palmer, O’Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis, Phillips, Cajuste, Philogene, Enciso, Clarke, Delap
Crystal Palace Subs: Turner, Clyne, Kporha, Chilwell, Rodney, Devenny, Kamada, Esse, Franca
Ipswich Town Subs: Walton, Townsend, Burgess, Johnson, Morsy, Taylor, Broadhead, Hutchinson, Hirst
The Eagles secured a 1-0 win over their relegation-threatened visitors to secure a fourth straight victory following a scrappy encounter. Despite the Tractor Boys’ fighting spirit, it was their opposition who found the key moment of the game after controlling proceedings for the vast majority of the 90 minutes.
The starting XI looked typically strong for a Palace side that had undoubtedly found its rhythm under Oliver Glasner, with his 3-4-2-1 formation appearing as efficient as ever. The main absentee from the squad, however, was in-form striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was ruled out due to an injury sustained against Millwall in the FA Cup when goalkeeper Liam Roberts karate-kicked him in the face. The challenge left the Frenchman requiring 25 stitches and sidelined for a month.
However, with the international break wedged between this fixture and Palace’s next match in April, Mateta would ultimately miss only one game, which, as we now know, Palace went on to win. This came much to the frustration of Millwall fans, who had gleefully chanted that he would be spending his time in A&E. Of course, he returned and helped the Eagles win the very competition from which they had knocked their South London rivals out, so who were the real winners?
The match itself helped Palace gain further confidence as the winning momentum that would carry the side through to May was maintained. It was played out amid a vibrant atmosphere following Palace’s qualification for the FA Cup quarter-finals the previous week, while their last league outing had seen them brush Aston Villa aside 4-1, with Ismaïla Sarr netting a brace.
The opening stages saw Palace maintain their high standards as Adam Wharton threaded a beautiful pass behind the Ipswich back line with the outside of his boot to find Eddie Nketiah, who had scored his first Selhurst Park goal in that aforementioned Villa clash. The former Arsenal man could not find the net this time, however, as he was smothered by Alex Palmer, who bravely blocked his one-on-one attempt.
The in-form Eagles were reminded of Ipswich’s strengths soon after as Jens Cajuste released Leif Davis down the left-hand side. The wing-back cut the ball back for Jaden Philogene, who was denied by a diving Dean Henderson. Once again, the Palace goalkeeper demonstrated his sharp shot-stopping ability inside the box.
Henderson was arguably in the form of his life, and the save drew rapturous applause from the Holmesdale Road End behind him. The Palace faithful had become endeared to his passionate antics, which regularly inspired belief among those working tirelessly in front of him. He was on hand again to deny Julio Enciso after Eberechi Eze conceded possession to the East Anglian side, with the former Brighton man seeing his fierce effort beaten away by the England international.
The first half petered out with the teams level at 0-0, yet the Eagles emerged stronger after the break. Eze had been relatively quiet in the opening period, resembling the version of himself who could occasionally drift through matches without making a significant impact. Having unlocked Aston Villa on numerous occasions previously, he began to penetrate the Ipswich rearguard as the contest wore on.
One of his deflected crosses caused panic for Palmer as the ball dropped just beyond the far post, leaving the goalkeeper sprawling. Moments later, Palace hearts were in mouths at the other end following an Ipswich corner. Sarr was on hand to clear off the line after Liam Delap’s header found its way towards a crowded six-yard box. Henderson had been unable to punch decisively, but Palace ultimately survived and continued to knock on the door themselves.
Another set piece almost produced the opener, with Sarr again going close. A wicked delivery from Wharton sailed into a dangerous area, forcing Palmer into an attempted punch. The Senegal international got there first with his head, but the ball narrowly drifted past the post.
The best chance of the game was still to come. Daniel Muñoz capitalised on a centre-back’s misguided header, stealing possession and racing through on goal. Faced with Palmer one-on-one, the Colombian looked destined to score, but the Ipswich goalkeeper once more came up with the answer.
It was a chance created by the probing influence of Wharton, who would again play a central role when Palace eventually found the breakthrough with eight minutes of normal time remaining. As had become customary for the Blackburn-born midfielder, he slipped a clever pass through to Daichi Kamada, who exchanged a scrappy one-two with Sarr to provide the Senegalese forward with an opportunity to face goal.
Nketiah and Muñoz had both lacked the composure required to beat Palmer, but Sarr displayed those qualities in abundance. He delicately chipped the ball over the goalkeeper before wheeling away behind the goal, having secured all three points for Palace.
What followed was a heartfelt moment as he galloped towards the corner flag nearest the Arthur Wait Stand and recreated Mateta’s iconic celebration. It was a moment of genuine quality in a penalty area that had largely lacked it throughout the afternoon. From Sarr’s perspective, it was another demonstration of an ability to hurt opposition defences that many supporters had not fully appreciated at the start of the season.
Despite the recent speculation surrounding a potential move to Liverpool, days like this against Ipswich underline just how crucial he has been to Palace’s success. This performance came shortly before he scored another brace against Aston Villa, this time on a much bigger stage during the 2025 FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. His 21 goals in all competitions during the 2025/26 season only further reinforced his importance throughout this golden era at Selhurst Park.
From this point onwards, Palace went from strength to strength, winning three trophies over the following 14 months. Their opponents, meanwhile, suffered relegation during the same campaign but recovered impressively under Kieran McKenna to bounce straight back to the Premier League.
The Northern Irishman has since departed for personal reasons, with Gary O’Neil arriving in his place. O’Neil brings a reputation for keeping teams in the division, having achieved that feat at both Bournemouth and Wolves. Supporters of those clubs may not have viewed him as an inspiring appointment, but he consistently got the job done and often exceeded expectations. He will be aiming to do the same once again.
As for Palace, they arrive on the back of a first victory of the season against Fulham at Craven Cottage and will be looking to build upon that result by securing a similar outcome to the one they achieved against the Tractor Boys in March 2025, the last time these two sides met.
