Top five players to play for both Crystal Palace & Manchester City

Both clubs are set to play in the FA Cup final today.

In the past few seasons, Crystal Palace have recorded some impressive outcomes against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City club. It includes notable draws at the Etihad in 2022 and, of course, December 2023, as well as away wins in 2018 and 2021.

The Eagles, earlier this season, pulled off one of the most spectacular late comebacks to earn a 2-2 draw in the North-West. They were the only team to prevent the Cityzens from scoring in 2021–2022.

Here are only five players who have recently made senior appearances for both teams. This is a dive into their history as we get warmed up for the FA Cup final match.

5. Danny Granville

Danny Granville, a London-born left-back who is currently pursuing a career as a coach, made his debut at Cambridge United in the mid-1990s. It led to moves to Chelsea, Leeds, and City. At City, he was initially on loan. He made more than 50 appearances, scored twice, and helped them earn promotion to the Premier League.

However, Granville lost favour and moved to Palace in 2001 after briefly going on loan to Norwich City. Granville even helped them get promoted to the top division in 2004 after spending six years in South London.

4. Sun Jihai

Terry Venables, the former Palace manager, famously became aware of Sun Jihai during China’s friendly match versus England. He then signed the centre-back.

Sun’s tenure with Crystal Palace was shorter than expected. He was called up before the conclusion of the 1998–1999 campaign, having played more than 20 games, to help Dalian fight for relegation.

After six years in the North-West, the defender finally returned to English football, joining City in February 2002. His efforts have earned him cult status among their supporters.

3. Carlo Nash

Goalie Carlo Nash took a unique path to becoming a professional football player. He played at Wembley during his first full season. He faced Clitheroe in the FA Vase final.

A few days later, he was signed by Crystal Palace. He had a second date with fate at Wembley as Palace earned promotion to the Premier League through the First Division play-offs. He became the first-choice towards the conclusion of the 1996–97 season.

In 2001, he joined Manchester City, where he contributed to City’s return to the Premier League with 25 appearances in the Cityzens’ First Division championship campaign.

2. Christopher ‘Kit’ Symons

During his 17-year professional football career, Wales international Symons played for just four clubs. He made over 100 league appearances for the first three clubs—Portsmouth, Manchester City, and Fulham.

After successfully leading the Eagles out of trouble once more during his tenure as caretaker manager in 2003, Symons was promoted to assistant manager. This happened when the team was promoted to the Premier League in 2004.

1. Michael Hughes

Michael Hughes was Palace’s cult hero. After making 32 appearances in the North-West, Hughes, an offensive midfielder, was discovered by City as a young player. There, he established himself and became a household name.

He had stints at Wimbledon and Birmingham before joining Palace in 2003. After four seasons as a devoted fan favourite, captaining the Eagles in the Premier League and making nearly 150 appearances for the south Londoners, the Northern Irishman’s tenure at Selhurst Park came to an end.

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