December 23 2008

Michael Hughes

It's the perfect time of year to name Crystal Palace's top 10 Boxing Day wins of all time.

10. Ipswich 0-2 Palace
Championship 26-12-2005

Palace won at Portman Road to end a run of five games without victory despite having Jon Macken and Ben Watson sent off. Macken opened the scoring with his second goal for the club, before Michael Hughes extended the lead. Macken was then red carded for violent conduct and two minutes from time, Watson was sent off after a second booking. Victory contributed to the Eagles reaching the play-offs but they were knocked out by Watford at the semi-final stage.

9. Palace 5-1 Brentford
Division Three South 26-12-1930

It wasn't just the manner of victory which made this match special but Palace had avenged an 8-2 thumping at Griffin Park only the day before. George Clarke got a brace, Palace's record scorer Peter Simpson was on target, along with Jimmy Wilde and Albert Harry. The Glaziers signed off the campaign in second place, narrowly missing out on promotion.

8. Palace 2-1 Charlton
Division 2 (old) 26-12-1984

Victory over Charlton may not carry the same significance as one against Millwall or Brighton, but fans still enjoy getting one over our neighbours. Kevin Mabbutt and Peter Nicholas - in his second spell at the club - found the net against the Addicks. That victory climaxed an eight-match unbeaten run but the season petered out as the Eagles finished in the lower reaches of the table.

7. Ipswich 2-3 Palace
Division 2 (old) 26-12-1987

Steve Coppell was on his way to successfully building a promotion-winning side and Palace just missed out on the play-offs on the final day of this season. Neil Redfearn was on target from the penalty spot in this clash at Portman Road and Ian Wright notched twice as the Eagles ended the season in sixth place.

6. Palace 4-2 Portsmouth
Division 2 (old) 26-12-1964

Skillful inside forward David Burnside scored twice on his debut, with Keith Smith - scorer of Palace's fastest-ever goal two weeks before - and Alan Stephenson notching the others. Back up in the second tier of English football after an absence of 40 years, Palace finished the season in seventh spot. It was the only win from a miserable run of eight games - a slump which proved costly as Palace finished just short of the promotion places.

5. Palace 2-0 Wimbledon
Premier League 26-12-1992

In the inaugural Premier League season, landlords Palace - who ended up relegated - came face to face with their tenants in the battle of Selhurst Park. Chris Coleman fired Palace into a third minute lead and Geoff Thomas extended the advantage on 38 minutes. The Dons saw no way back after going down to 10 men with Brian McAllister's sending off right on half-time. The derby triumph came in the midst of a five-match winning league run that promised great things for the second half of the season but that optimism quickly turned sour after an FA Cup exit at Hartlepool days later.

4. Palace 3-0 Southampton
Division 1 (old) 26-12-1972

Just 10 days after tonking Manchester United 5-0, Palace were back at Selhurst Park and turning on the style again. Goals from John Craven and a brace from Don Rogers ensured a comfortable win in front of almost 31,000 supporters. The win was a rare high point in a depressing season which saw Palace end up relegated from the top flight.

3. Palace 2-1 Sunderland
Division 1 (old) 26-12-1990

Palace ended this season third in the top flight - their best ever finish in the club's history - and this victory went some way to achieving that. Sunderland took the lead through substitute David Brush - who was on for Marco Gabbiadini - before John Salako equalised with a driving shot from the edge of the area after Andy Gray's long throw caused panic in the Sunderland defence. Then Salako delivered a pinpoint cross from the left onto the head of Mark Bright who glanced his header past Tony Norman.

2. Palace 3-0 Millwall
Division 3 (old) 26-12-1962

On a freezing day at Selhurst Park where the icy conditions made it difficult for both sides, Palace roared into the lead early on with Peter Burridge scoring against his old club. "Dickie" Dowsett netted his first Palace goal to extend the advantage before Ronnie Allen sealed the perfect win from the penalty spot after Burridge was hauled down in the box.

1. Palace 2-0 Brighton
Division 2 (old) 26-12-1986

The Eagles had lost the three previous Boxing Day clashes plus a December 27th fixture against arch rivals Brighton so this success was long overdue. Alan Irvine and Phil Barber got the goals in front of 10,365 - the highest league gate for nine months. Palace completed the season in an impressive sixth while sorry Brighton finished rock bottom and were relegated.

In Depth Crystal Palace Top 10s