16th Apr 2024 • Written by Henry Swain

Player ratings as Crystal Palace reach PL International Cup final

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Crystal Palace win 4-2 against Everton to reach consecutive Premier League International Cup Finals

A Tuesday evening in April was the setting for Crystal Palace U21’s biggest game of the 2023/24 season. The young Eagles played hosts to Everton at Selhurst Park, as Darren Powell’s side bid to reach the final of the PL International Cup for the second consecutive season, in only their second appearance in the competition. 

Last season’s final saw Powell’s side fall to a narrow defeat at the hands of Jong PSV, conceding twice in extra time to lose 3-1. The same opponents would await Palace in the final if they were victorious against Everton. 

Palace's journey so far

Palace’s group stage journey saw them draw 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao, beat AS Monaco 3-1 and Benfica 2-1 as well as drawing 1-1 to Feyenoord. Those results were enough to qualify Powell’s side to the quarter-finals as one of the two best 3rd placed sides, where they eased past Wolverhampton Wanderers courtesy of a Danny Imray brace and a strike from Roshaun Mathurin. 

To qualify for the final, Palace would have to beat a side which held them to a 0-0 draw in a tightly contested game just over a week ago. Significant changes were made to the starting lineup, with Mathurin dropping out to make way for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who makes his return from injury. 

Match Report

Chances were few and far between for either side in the first half, with defender Sean Grehan departing the action early after he appeared to pull his hamstring in the 27th minute. A closely contested first forty-five minutes saw the score level as four minutes of added time were shown. Trialist Jemiah Umolu did excellently,  shrugging off a challenge before cutting the ball back to Franco Umeh who finished excellently. 

A double change was made by Darren Powell at halftime, with Kaden Rodney and Roshaun Mathurin replacing David Ozoh and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. Jemiah Umolu’s end to the first half transferred seamlessly to the start of the second and he added to his assist with a well taken finish to double Palace’s lead. Everton looked to get back into the game from nowhere when Jenson Metcalfe scored to make it 2-1. However, Palace upped the tempo and after starting the move from his own half, Danny Imray restored the two-goal lead in the 70th minute with an excellent finish from a tight angle.

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Again the visitors found themselves back in the game as Noah Watson sithed down the Everton forward, handing Metcalfe the chance to double his tally from the spot. The strike was converted in the 86th minute to set up a tense closing stage. As Eveton pushed for a late equaliser, Palace struck on the counter attack, Justin Devenny rounding off a fine move to make it 4-2. The referee called time to an entertaining matchup, Palace qualifying for the final of the Premier League International Cup final for the second season in a row. 

Player Ratings

Joe Whitworth (GK) © - 7.5
As always, Whitworth was strong when claiming crosses and distributed well throughout. However, it wasn’t until the final 20 minutes that Whitworth really earned his praise. He made a strong save down low to his right hand side in the 77th minute to keep the score at 3-1, following it up three minutes later with a full-stretch tip over the bar to turn the ball away from the top right corner. He got a hand on the penalty but was unable to prevent Metcalfe’s strike from finding the back of the net. 

Danny Imray - 8
Imray looked to be one of the biggest threats going forward for Powell’s side. He had a couple of good chances in the first half, the first a strong shot from the edge of the box which was blocked, the second and an effort from a tight angle which he dragged wide. His workrate is excellent, and he gets back with just as much desire and determination as he shows going forward. He restored the two goal lead in the 70th minute, starting the move from right back as he played Deveny in on goal. He then drove forward off the ball, underlapping his teammate to receive the ball from a narrow angle, slamming home an his effort to make it 3-1. 

Sean Grehan - 7
Grehan’s performance for his time on the pitch was excellent. He looked as if he was back to the level which earned him his loan move to Carlisle. He tackles with an immense level of aggression and not only wins the ball, but keeps the possession at his feet. His forward play is also strong, and he linked up well with Imray down the Palace right-hand side for the latter’s early chances. It was extremely disappointing to see him replaced after just 27 minutes, after it looked as though he felt a pull on his hamstring when standing up to an Everton forward. 

Craig Farquhar - 7
Farquhar once again didn’t stand out, which is certainly a compliment. He doesn’t make glaring errors, but he also doesn’t create the same chances as Jemide alongside him. He reads the game well and performs like a senior player, making good decisions, clearing the ball when he needs to and also winning crucial aerial duels. Another solid performance. 

Mofe Jemide - 7.5
Jemide demonstrated his ability purely by being picked to start in this game, his fourth start for Darren Powell’s side. His passing ability is second to none, and he delivered fast paced balls into midfield with pinpoint accuracy. His long passing also stood out, and he would’ve been merited with an assist had Umolu finished off an early chance, and again in the 41st minute when he found the trialist striker. Defensively, Jemide looks more than capable. He is physically imposing and challenges with force and aggression, winning the ball on multiple occasions and standing out amongst the Palace backline. 

Justin Devenny - 7.5
Devenny was quieter than usual in this game, but similarly to Umeh he grew into the game as it progressed. His linkup play in midfield made for slick passing moves, dragging Everton players around the pitch and tiring them out. He showed his pace and class when Imray slipped him through, patiently waiting for the fullback to underlap and passing a perfectly weighted ball into his stride, Imray smashing home to restore Palace’s two goal lead in the 70th minute. That wasn’t enough for Devenny, who put himself on the scoresheet with a well taken finish in the 93rd minute, rounding off a brilliant counter attacking play. 

David Ozoh - 7
Ozoh showed his qualities in the forty-five minutes that he played, his energy levels aided Palace’s ball recovery and retention. His lack of match action showed with the speed at which he passed the ball, at times taking one too many touches when the ball needed to move slightly quicker. 

Jack Wells-Morrison - 7
Good workrate in midfield for 87 minutes before being replaced by Dylan Reid. His dribbling ability was the best part of his performance, carrying the ball forward well and beating opponents with quick touches round the corner. He also defended well, and led his side to a strong performance and one worthy of a place in the final.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi - 7
Great to see Jes back on the pitch in this game. He showed his level with his first touch, always looking to get forward and be positive. However, similarly to Ozoh he looked off the pace, wasn’t quite direct enough and didn’t manage to test the keeper in what was in fairness a tense first half. 

Jemiah Umolu (Trialist) - 8.5
Umolu has really impressed on his trial so far, his performances improving week on week. He missed a good chance to open the scoring in the 19th minute after meeting an excellent long through ball from Mofe Jemide, just dragging the effort wide. Umolu is proving to be a handful for defenders, his strength and pace creating openings for himself and teammates. He bounced back from the early miss as he held off the challenge of an Everton defender and passed across to Umeh who smashed in the opening goal. 

His positioning was excellent and on another night he would have scored a hatrick, but he would have to settle for just the one goal, coming just three minutes after the halftime break as he peeled off his marker and smashed a left footed effort into the roof of the net. Then, after winning an excellent late foul to run down the clock, he met a long range Mathurin pass, heading down to Devenny to finish first time and win the game. A goal and two assists in a cup semi-final, sign that lad up!

Franco Umeh - 9 - MOTM
It was a quiet first half for Umeh who didn’t get on the ball too much, however, he demonstrated his clinical edge when he was found in the box, smashing home a close range finish to open the scoring with his left foot. In the second half, his performance stepped to another level, linking up with Roshaun Mathurin excellently and causing all sorts of problems down the left hand side. He drilled a teasing low cross back to Umolu to return the forward’s first half assist, doubling Palace’s lead just three minutes into the second half. He ran himself into the ground and was replaced by Williams in the 83rd minute. 

Noah Watson (30th min sub) - 6
After a strong performance against Chelsea last time out, Watson had to settle for a place on the bench in this game. However, he was called upon early when Grehan went down injured, and for the most part put in a solid defensive shift. He put himself and his teammates under unnecessary pressure in the final moments as he dived in and wiped out the Everton forward, giving away a cheap penalty but also an easy way back into the game for the visitors. 

Kaden Rodney (Half-time sub) - 7
MOTM last time out against Chelsea, it was perhaps harsh to see Rodney dropped from the starting XI, albeit for the abnormally talented David Ozoh. Rodney’s energy added an element of control to the Palace midfield after he was introduced at halftime. He tracks back to cover and defend so well, which alleviates the pressure on his teammates. His fast passing also helped his side transition from defence to attack, triggering counter attacks which Everton struggled to defend against. 

Roshaun Mathurin (Half-time sub) - 8
It was unfortunate for Mathurin not to start this game, dropping out for Rak-Sakyi. However, he more than proved his worth after coming on at halftime, linking up with Umeh to devastating effect. The pace with which he carries the ball draws defenders out, allowing him to pop the ball around them and effectively walk through to the Everton goal. Chance after chance came down the Palace left, and ultimately it was that area of the pitch which was utilised to give Palace a two goal lead early in the second half. 

Vonnte Williams (83rd min sub) - 6
Replacing Franco Umeh, Williams was introduced for the closing stages of the game. He showed energy in the little time he played, as well as gamesmanship to waste some time and receive a booking for his troubles. 

Dylan Reid (87th min sub) - N/A

Man of the match - Franco Umeh

This was a tough decision, as Umolu, Mathurin and Imray all staked strong claims for the MOTM award in this game. However, Franco Umeh tormented the Everton right-back all second-half long. He took his goal with such confidence and precision, and delivered a perfectly weighted pull-back in the 48th minute for Palace to double the lead. Players like Umeh are a joy to watch. 

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