Steve Parish made sure to point out that Crystal Palace winning the UEFA Conference League has put them where they belong. The Eagles claimed their first-ever European trophy with a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano.
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the winner, pouncing on a loose ball to fire into an empty net. The French forward’s goal came in the second half, in which Palace dominated.
Parish said before the game that the club had tasted success and wanted more. They might be looking to order a Europa League triumph next season under whoever replaces the iconic Oliver Glasner.
Steve Parish on Crystal Palace’s ‘amazing achievement’
Parish saved the club and has transformed the South London outfit into a European trophy-winning side. That’s thanks to his decision-making upstairs, appointing Glasner and sticking by him during the lows of this season.
The club’s chairman sent a message to UEFA after watching the Eagles prevail in Leipzig. He told TNT Sports:
“It’s incredible, it’s not really sunk in. An amazing achievement, the players, the staff. All the ups and downs we’ve had in the season. It’s just brilliant.”
He added:
“Getting into the Europa League where we deserve it just shows you sometimes the good guys win that’s what I think.”
Parish had obviously alluded to Palace being demoted from the Europa League ahead of the season. UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules meant the South Londoners were placed in the third-tier competition.
That largely came because of Nottingham Forest who went to UEFA with a complaint about Parish’s club. They took the Eagles’ place in the Europa League but crashed out in the semi-finals to winners Aston Villa.
“It means everything”
Joel Ward, on punditry duties for TNT, asked Parish about the journey after saving the club and delivering European glory:
“You were a massive part of it Joel, we wouldn’t be here without players like you. Just surviving in the Premier League is difficult but to win an FA Cup, to win a Community Shield, but to then win a European Cup at the first time of asking is just an incredible achievement.”
He added:
“It means everything. When I bought the club I wasn’t even sure we’d even come and play in Europe let alone win a trophy. It’s absolutely incredible and it’s all of our dreams come true.”
Parish suggested Palace will only be targeting greater success after getting a taste of it. The chairman wants to use it as a springboard and continue growing the club, including working hard in the summer.
