Playing games for Palace, Glenn Murray

Article by e-Crystal Palace Correspondent Darryl Murdoch

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 arrived at Selhurst Park around 3pm yesterday, genuinely excited that Palace could get something in a game against the defending (I use that term very loosely!) Premier League Champions Manchester United. Half an hour later, my excitement levels went through the roof, Glenn Murray was starting the game – his first start since the Play off Semi Final against Brighton back in May, where he suffered a horrific knee injury that meant he had to watch from the sidelines as his team mates won at Wembley – although he did get to sit on the hallowed turf during the celebrations as I, along with thirty thousand other Palace fans belted out “Scoring goals for Palace, Glenn Murray” - and take on the best in the Premier League. But now, after a fleeting substitute appearance in the win over West Brom, Murray was back, against the team who he scored the winner against the last time the two sides met.

I can't tell you how delighted I was to see Glenn's name on the team sheet. I've rated Glenn ever since we signed him. Even during his first season, where the aforementioned winner at Old Trafford was a beacon of light – alongside his goal in the famous win at the AMEX against his old club, in what was overall, a disappointing season. Murray often found himself cutting a lonely and frustrated figure as Palace's form tailed off dramatically towards the end of the season, winning just 3 of the last 20 league games.

It's hard to believe that Glenn started last season in competition for a starting place with Jermaine Easter, but that was the reality of it – Murray was by no means the first name on Dougie Freedman's team sheet. A first minute goal on his return at home to Sheffield Wednesday was a great start and Murray never looked back, hitting 31 goals, 30 in the league as Palace qualified for, and ultimately won the Play-offs and secured promotion.

Back in March, I wrote an article for Five Year Plan Fanzine (@FYPFanzine) comparing Glenn to past Palace hitmen – give it a read if you have time here.

It was a cruel blow that befell Murray back in May as he went down inside the penalty area with no one near him, the fact it was against Brighon, Murray's old team made it all the more cruel for a player in the form of his life. The fact that Palace managed to win the Play-offs without him, their top scorer was not only amazing for the club but also must have helped focus Glenn's mind on his recovery – every footballer wants to test themselves against the best, and now Glenn has that chance.

Given time, Palace fans will be able to belt out the words “Scoring goals for Palace, Glenn Murray” to the tune of “Let it Be” by the Beatles once more, but for the time being I'm just glad to be able to say that Glenn Murray is playing games for Palace.

The HF Display

I couldn't publish an article about yesterday's game without mention of the fantastic pre-match display organised by the Holmesdale Fanatics. A lot has been said this week about the HF this week and will continue to be sad, but they really are the heartbeat of our support and should be applauded for commitment to making Selhurst Park a fortress.

Some images of the display from my followers on Twitter:

Picture One – From Rob Mauger (@TheMurgler) who watched the game live on TV in Australia.

Picture Two – From Peter Chantrey (@Peteeechan) from the Arthur

Picture Three - From Mark (@CPFCfan70) from block J of the Main Stand

Some amazing images of an amazing display, I am sure you will agree.

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