Top 10 away-day openers

August 6 2015

Attilio Lombardo

As Crystal Palace start the season with a trip to Norwich, here are the 10 best opening away day victories...

10. Taylor made

Ipswich 1-2 Palace - Aug 5, 2006

Peter Taylor got his Palace managerial reign off to a winning start against the Tractor Boys. The SE25 club went in at half-time at Portman Road a goal down. But an inspired team talk from Taylor roused his players and they scored twice through winger Jobi McAnuff and target man James Scowcroft for a nice away triumph.

9. Five star

Barnsley 2-3 Palace - Aug 23, 1986

It was a long journey up north for this first-day clash (a recurring theme), but at least the travelling fans got to see goals and three points. Wide man Phil Barber, full back Paul Brush and hotshot Ian Wright were all on target for the Eagles at Oakwell. Steve Coppell's squad was shaping up nicely as he led them to sixth place in Division Two.

8. The late win

Preston 1-2 Palace - Aug 10, 2002

Trevor Francis' Palace made the trek to Lancashire to face one of the sides fancied for promotion. Preston midfielder Eric Skora was sent off just after the interval and they got their noses in front through Ricardo Fuller despite being a man light. However, Darren Powell levelled the scores within seconds and young Eagles striker Steve Kabba came off the bench to notch the winner four minutes from time.

7. Comeback kings

Rotherham 2-3 Palace - Aug 11, 2001

Steve Bruce's men had a testing fixture at Millmoor in this season curtain-raiser against the First Division new boys and found themselves two goals down after just 33 minutes. But they restored parity with a Dougie Freedman penalty and Aki Riihilahti strike before Jamie Smith nabbed a rare goal for what turned out to be a thrilling victory.

6. Bogey team beaten

Shrewsbury 0-2 Palace - Aug 18, 1985

Shrewsbury were Palace's bogey side of the 80s and to this day, the Eagles have only beaten them once in the last 13 meetings. Goals from Barber and forward Andy Gray made sure of a rare maximum points against the Shrews at Gay Meadow. In Coppell's second season at the helm, the Selhurst Park club ended the campaign fifth in Division Two.

5. Scowcroft hat-trick

Southampton 1-4 Palace - Aug 11, 2007

Arguably Scowcroft's finest hour for Palace as he inspired the team to victory with a hat-trick in this Championship encounter. The centre forward scored twice in a minute on the half-hour mark before Saints pegged a goal back just before the break. Scowcoft completed his treble not long after that and Clinton Morrison added a fourth for Taylor's troops. Taylor was eventually sacked and replacement Neil Warnock led the Eagles to fifth and the play-offs.

4. Promotion heroes

Cardiff 0-4 Palace - Aug 10, 1968

This opening-day win got Bert Head's Palace off to a flyer as they ended up clinching promotion to the top flight for the first time ever. They made light work of the Welsh outfit at Ninian Park in this Division Two clash with defender David Payne, forward Cliff Jackson (2) and centre half Mel Blyth hitting the goals.

3. Red cards and Dougie treble

Burnley 2-3 Palace - Aug 9, 2003

This maiden game of the Division One season was packed full of drama with five goals and two red cards. Playing away for the fourth consecutive season, Palace scored first with an early Dougie Freedman penalty but then had Wayne Routledge sent off after 10 minutes. With the extra man, Burnley went 2-1 up but Freedman put his team in front with two more goals for his hat-trick. Although Shaun Derry then saw red, Iain Dowie's team held on and later that season were promoted via the play-offs.

2. Local bragging rights

Millwall 0-3 Palace - Aug 20, 1977

Palace had just come up from the Third Division under Terry Venables and recorded a brilliant victory over their arch rivals at the old Den. Centre back Ian Evans, winger Vince Hilaire and midfielder Nick Chatterton netted the glorious goals.

1. Lombardo magic

Everton 1-2 Palace - Aug 9, 1997

Palace had a winning start on their return to the Premier League at Goodison Park. Star summer signing Attilio Lombardo netted on his debut and Bruce Dyer added another from the spot after Lombardo was tripped in the area before Duncan Ferguson headed a Toffees consolation. The joy was short lived as Palace ended a tumultuous campaign bottom of the table but this game will be remembered for the landing of the Bald Eagle!