Crystal Palace needed a late equaliser in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Charlton.
In hot conditions, Oliver Glasner's side trailed to a Chuks Aneke goal at the break.
But Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s superb 90th-minute goal saw the spoils shared in a fixture where fitness and playing minutes took centre focus.
Summer signings Chadi Riad and Daichi Kamada featured for the Eagles, with Kamada involved in creating the late leveller.
Image source, Getty ImagesIt seems inevitable a host of Premier League managers will point to fixture congestion in the months to come.
When injuries mount, or when time on the training ground is squeezed, coaches often reference the intense nature of the calendar.
But research conducted by the respected CIES Football Observatory has delivered data which shows clubs are - on average - not playing more competitive games than they have in the last couple of decades.
The CIES looked at 677 clubs across 40 leagues. In looking at a period from 2012 to 2024, its findings show in 2023-24, the average club played 42.4 competitive matches. In 2014-15 that figure was 42.6 and in 2020-21 it hit 43.9.
And if focus is placed on sides competing in the Champions League, data gathered between 2000 and 2024 also shows sides are not setting fixture records in the current game, as some managers may like to loosely imply.
In looking at the five major European Leagues, the CIES claim Champions League competitors played an average of 50.8 matches last season.
In 2020-21 they averaged 57.9 and in 2002-03 they contested 55.2.
Manchester United played in 52 competitive games last season, down from highs of 71 in 2020-21 and 66 in 2008-09.
Across all of the clubs analysed, only 4% played more than 60 games last season. In 2012-13, the figure stood at 5.1%.
While clubs may play added friendlies and - it would be fair to say - individual matches tend to be longer given increased injury time in the current game, the data shows that competitive fixture numbers are flat or have in most cases fallen, even if disgruntled managers say otherwise.
Arsenal look set to end their interest in England defender Marc Guehi with Crystal Palace demanding more than £70m for the 24-year-old. (Mirror, external)
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Arsenal are expecting further bids for 23-year-old midfielder Emile Smith Rowe after rejecting an offer from Fulham, with Crystal Palace also interested. (Evening Standard), external
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Image source, Getty ImagesThe football never stops.
Euro 2024 has barely finished but Premier League clubs have already started turning their attention to pre-season friendlies.
The games are spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Sligo and Crawley.
So who will your team face? And when and where are the matches?
Image source, PA MediaCrystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi was included in Opta's team of Euro 2024.
In what was his first ever appearance at a major international tournament, Guehi showed himself to be one of the most reliable defenders at Euro 2024. Indeed, the Palace man was one of the best developments throughout the tournament for England, and looks set to be a key part of their plans going forward.
Appearing in all but one of his team's seven games in the competition, no England player won more aerial duels (12) than the defender, while he also led the team for blocks (six).
Marc Guehi is wanted by Liverpool, who have begun negotiations to sign the 24-year-old Crystal Palace and England centre-back. (Fabrizio Romano, via GiveMeSport), external
But 20-year-old England midfielder Adam Wharton will turn down interest from Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to stay at Crystal Palace. (Sun), external
Image source, CPFCCrystal Palace have unveiled a new yellow away kit to be worn during the 2024-25 season.
The kit - titled 'Eagle Yellow' - is the first Palace strip to feature a simplified eagle-on-ball crest.
It also features an eagle within the yellow-and-blue design on the shirt.
The club said on the kit: "Eagle Yellow follows in a long tradition of yellow kits for the club over the years, with the colour first emerging in the 1960s and playing a part in some of the most memorable occasions in our history on the road."
Image source, CPFCCrystal Palace are determined not to sell winger Eberechi Eze to Manchester United or Tottenham. (Football Insider), external
Image source, Getty ImagesCrystal Palace signing Daichi Kamada says the chance to reunite with former manager Oliver Glasner was "one of the biggest reasons" for his move to Selhurst Park.
The 27-year-old attacking midfielder joined the club on a free transfer after his contract at Serie A side Lazio expired but he previously worked under Glasner at Eintracht Frankfurt.
"I think one of the biggest reasons for my move is the manager Oliver Glasner, that's for sure," he told the club website, external.
"Even when I was not getting enough game-time, he always got in touch with me and sent me many messages. I could sense his trust in me through these various exchanges.
"I'm not the type of person who communicates a lot with a manager but, since we were together in Frankfurt, I think I have been able to demonstrate what he wants me to do on the pitch.
"I think he is a great figure as a manager and I also respect him as a person.
"In addition, Crystal Palace have a lot of talented players and, since Glasner took over last season, the team has been achieving good results.
"The manager told me he wants to make history with the team, so I thought this project was a great fit for me. It would be fantastic to make history with Crystal Palace, which I think is the main reason for me to come here.
"In the Premier League, I think one of the team's main objectives is to qualify for next season's European cup competition and I hope I can contribute to that. The cup competitions will be a good chance to win a trophy for Crystal Palace too.
"I understand that the fans are incredibly passionate and wonderful supporters. I'm eager to play in front of them so that they can recognise my performance. I will appreciate their support."
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer England midfielder Izzy Christiansen has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about England's central defensive options:
"I thought it was quite difficult to figure out what England's formation actually was [against Switzerland]. I'm meant to be an expert.
"In our 5 Live build-up, we spoke a lot about a back three. It actually looked more like a back four, but Kieran Trippier - who we all know is one of Gareth Southgate's most-trusted players - was playing a really high full-back role.
"I do think it will be the same formation. I think we won't see any changes apart from Marc Guehi maybe coming back in because of how brilliant he was through the start of the tournament and the group stages.
"It will be a difficult decision for him to make. I'm big on rhythm and I would play [Ezri] Konsa based on rhythm and the feeling of playing in that last game against Switzerland, but I think Guehi will come in and that will be the only change.
"I'd love to see Luke Shaw out there, but I think the impact he can have off the bench is like an insurance policy for Gareth Southgate."
Ex-England defender Matthew Upson added: "I thought Ezri Konsa was excellent. We've had a brilliant show of centre-back play from two centre-halves in Marc Guehi and Konsa.
"They are relatively new into this scene and they have been a major plus point of this tournament in a position that probably everyone looked at and thought the options were not too great.
"It is a very strong position now and Guehi did enough in those early games. He played well enough under a lot of pressure - because the team was under a lot of pressure in the first couple of matches with how things were going.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see him back [against the Netherlands on Wednesday]."
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is set to reject a new contract offer with the club, with Arsenal and Manchester United ready to compete to sign the 23-year-old. (Sun), external
Everton are confident they have beaten Palace to the signing of 22-year-old forward Jaden Philogene after striking an agreement with Hull City. (Teamtalk), external
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We asked how you are feeling about Michael Olise's move to Bayern Munich and who you would like to see Crystal Palace bring in as the winger's replacement.
Here are some of your thoughts:
Pete: It has been an absolute joy watching Olise play for Palace. He will be sorely missed. We have to accept that whoever replaces him will be a downgrade. We have two in-house replacements in Matheus Franca and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, so I don't think you will see us sign anyone else as a direct replacement. The cash is likely to go towards the stadium development.
Rob: We can reflect on the end of last season when we rarely had all of our top-valued players in action, yet we were still superb as a team. At this stage in Palace's evolution, the extra cash from Olise is probably more important than keeping a player who wants to be elsewhere.
Elaine: He was too cheap. When you look at what players are being sold for nowadays, £50m is a steal. I don't know if we will ever be able to replace him, so Dougie Freedman has got his work cut out. I wish Michael all the best in his career, but he will be sorely missed.
Jamie: Olise is the first player Palace have sold since the transfer model shift in 2021. The plan is to buy young players for low fees and sell them on for a profit, but the club are yet to prove they can replace one of their young stars. It took five seasons to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, so fans will be hoping for a quick transfer they can get excited by.
Clifford: We probably could have got more for him, but without the release clause he would never have signed for us. We got him for less than he was worth from Reading, so it probably evens out. He is a fantastic player and he will only get better. I trust Dougie to get a decent and cheaper replacement to develop, but we already have Eze, Kamada, Franca and Ayew for two spots.
Image source, Getty ImagesCrystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has been named in the France squad for this summer's Olympics in Paris.
Boss Thierry Henry has included the 27-year-old as one of three overage players.
A former France Under-21 international, Mateta had not represented his country since 2019 before his selection in the provisional squad for the Games.
France play the United States in their opening match on 24 July and also face Guinea and New Zealand in the group stage.
Winger Michael Olise joined Bayern Munich for about £50m over the weekend.
Olise, who has spent three seasons with Crystal Palace, scored 10 goals in 19 Premier League appearances as Oliver Glasner's side finished 10th in the table last season.
How are you feeling about losing him? Are you happy with the fee? And who could Glasner bring in as his replacement?
Image source, Getty ImagesJean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise warmed up for the Olympics in style as the France Under-23 team ran out 4-1 winners against Paraguay in Bayonne.
The Crystal Palace pair continued their fine form from the end of the season as, after France fell behind early on, Olise set up Mateta to level the scores with his first goal for his country in five years.
After Olise was substituted at half-time, Mateta's second goal put France in front before the hosts scored twice more to round off the win.
France kick off their quest for Olympic glory on Wednesday, 24 July against United States.
Image source, Getty ImagesMatheus Franca is grateful for how warmly he has been received at Selhurst Park, despite an injury-disrupted first season with Crystal Palace.
The Brazilian managed just 10 Premier League appearances but showed glimpses of his talent when fit and says the supporters have been a constant encouragement.
"They associate samba with Brazilians - they really like it," Franca told Brazilian media outlet Globo Esporte, external and reported on the club website, external. "When I got there, there was a samba parade during my presentation. It was really cool.
“In every game, when they [the fans] start 'nanana', I already know it's my song and it gives me an extra boost. I think it's really cool and important when the fans create new songs. I really liked it and felt embraced by the fans' affection."
Coming to England has been a steep learning curve for the 20-year-old who conceded settling in had been difficult.
"The biggest challenge, without a doubt, was the language and communication," he said. "I took English classes, but when I got there it was very different. Adapting to the language and culture was very difficult, but now I'm used to it.
"My family, my parents and my wife were very important to me. They gave me a lot of love so that I could perform at my best on the field.
"I have learned a lot there, with the intensity and change of pace, which are completely different there. Whether it is passing or marking, everything is very different. I had to adapt, and I am improving."
"One of mine and my family's big dreams was to play in England. I've already been able to provide assists, I've been the star of a match, and I want to score my first goal in the Premier League.
"These are small dreams that I'm going to make come true and there are also big dreams that I'll think about later on. Let's take it step by step."
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa's Ezri Konsa says Marc Guehi has played "a key part" in England's Euro 2024 journey so far.
The Crystal Palace centre-back has started every game of the tournament, alongside Manchester City's John Stones and has been praised for his displays.
His maturity at just 23 years old has resulted in him being called 'Uncle Marc' by his England teammates because he "strolls around like an uncle" in camp.
"He is so mature for his age," Konsa said, "and he strolls around like an uncle. We have been really impressed by his performances. They have been outstanding."
However, if the Three Lions are to progress to the semi-final, they will have to do it without Guehi. He is serving a one-match suspension after receiving two yellow cards and will miss the quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday.
Konsa said he “wasn’t aware until after the game” that Guehi would be suspended for the next match, but is "comfortable and confident" that he can step up in his absence if picked by Gareth Southgate.
Real Madrid want 23-year-old Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, with Barcelona and Juventus also keeping tabs on him. (Sun, external)
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