Crystal Palace Under‑21s will host Chelsea on Friday night in a Premier League 2 quarter‑final at Sutton’s VBS Community Stadium after Darren Powell’s youngsters powered into the playoffs with a seven‑match unbeaten run. Striker Ademola Ola‑Adebomi tops the squad charts with 16 goals, while midfielder Hindolo Mustapha has eight assists—both among the league’s top five. Palace secured a top‑eight berth by defeating Brighton 3‑1, marking consecutive knockout qualifications for an academy granted Category One status only five years ago. Tickets sold out in two hours, forcing officials to open extra seating.
Powell has prepared a high press designed to disrupt Chelsea’s possession build‑up, citing February’s 4‑2 league win as a blueprint. First‑team fringe pair David Ozoh and Victor Aboh drop down for minutes, though left‑back Noah Watson is out with ankle damage. Glasner has already integrated academy graduates Zach Marsh and Danny Imray into FA Cup sessions, and scouts from League One clubs will attend. Victory would trigger a semi‑final trip to Manchester United or West Ham, underscoring the academy’s rapid rise and reinforcing Palace’s reputation as a pathway to senior football.
