The atmosphere around Selhurst Park was electric. For the first time in their history, Crystal Palace had made it into the League Cup Final, thanks to a brace from January signing, Ola Toivonen.
Tickets had sold out in a matter of seconds and the Selhurst faithful were fervently awaiting the month of March for their trip to Wembley. However, the players still had to concentrate on a string of important league matches before their big day in North London.
February
The first was the FA Cup Fourth Round Replay against Cardiff. Following the 0-0 draw at the Cardiff City Stadium, the Eagles were unable to translate their League Cup form into FA Cup success as they crashed out 1-0. Of all people, it was former midfielder, Stuart O’Keefe, who curled it past debutant, Itumeleng Khune to clinch the victory for the Bluebirds.
Apart from a 2-1 defeat at bottom of the league Bournemouth, Palace had a largely successful month.
Toivonen grabbed another brace against Watford before Chamakh and a late goal from Lee Chung-Yong were enough to beat Southampton 2-1.
An impressive 2-2 draw at Old Trafford followed thanks to goals from Crystal Palace’s Welsh contingent, Joe Ledley and Jonny Williams.
The last game of the month was a 1-0 home win against Newcastle. Crystal Palace dominated proceedings and a long range effort from Virgil Van Dijk was the only time that the home side managed to find a way past the worst defence in the league.
Their solid Februart form left the club in 7th place at the end of the month and a date with destiny at Wembley loomed for the South London side.
League Cup Final
The day was finally upon us. 90,000 football fans poured down Wembley Way for an all London League Cup final between Chelsea and Crystal Palace. Chelsea were firm favourites as their counterparts were suffering from several injuries, including top-scorer, Charlie Austin and right-backs, Martin Kelly and Joel Ward, meaning that Jack Hunt made a rare start in such a crucial game.
Chelsea had the chance to defend their title for the first time in their history, but unlike Pardew, Mourinho chose to field a mixed team with Eden Hazard, Willian and Gary Cahill, the only regulars to have made the starting line-up.
Crystal Palace kicked off the 2016 League Cup Final but it was the Blues that started significantly stronger, dominating from the off and they had the first meaningful chance just twelve minutes in.
Willian picked up the ball deep into Palace territory and his early cross found Salomón Rondón on the volley but Khune made an instinctive diving save to deny him.
The Brazilian, who had been continually terrorising Muniesa in the first half an hour, was at it again, this time driving down the right flank and delivering a dangerous cross that deceived everyone except for Van Dijk, who just managed to scramble back and head the ball off the line.
His clearance only found Eden Hazard and the Belgian jinked past Jedinak and Muniesa before cutting it back to Rondón, who’s thunderous shot crashed off Khune’s left-hand post and out to safety.
Rondón finally found the net in the 40th minute, only for it to be ruled offside. The Venezuelan was adjudged to have moved too early following Hazard’s penetrating through ball.
Palace headed into the break, very fortunate not to be behind. Chelsea kicked off the second half with as much dominance as the first and had another good chance shortly after the restart.
Academy starlet, Jay DaSilva’s floating cross was headed back across goal to John Obi Mikel but his weak effort failed to test the South African goalkeeper.
Despite all of Chelsea’s pressure, it was Palace who took the lead.
A sublime through ball from Jonny Williams found Yannick Bolasie in acres of space on the left wing. His cross was cleared only as far as substitute Zaha, who’s first touch of the match found Toivonen, surrounded by three Chelsea shirts and as he tried to take the ball down, Cole DaSilva clumsily brought down the theatrical Swede, convincing Kevin Friend to controversially point to the spot.
The 15-year-old was visibly distraught as the Chelsea players furiously gathered round the referee.
However, captain Mile Jedinak, perfectly unfazed by the commotion and still yet to miss a penalty for the Eagles, confidently stepped up and struck the penalty, hard and true down the middle to put Crystal Palace 1-0 up in the final.
An onslaught was to follow on the Palace goal as Mourinho threw on Oscar in an attempt to desperately pull a goal back.
Rondón, who’d squandered the majority of Chelsea’s best chances, created yet another opportunity after brilliantly taking the ball past Van Dijk and then Scott Dann but this time, he blasted the ball over the bar.
Jedinak had the chance to extend Palace’s lead but his he free-kick landed just wide. Minutes later though, Chelsea counter-attacked through Eden Hazard but his blistering run and shot was well saved by Khune.
With time running out, Chelsea threw everything forward and forged out their best chance of the match.
Cuadrado cut inside the left and struck the post. The ball bounced off and landed in the path of Rondón and with the goal gaping, the Venezuelan looked destined to finally score until out of nowhere came a heroic block from defensive talisman, Scott Dann, to ensure that the Eagles won their first ever League Cup title.
Virgil Van Dijk’s stellar defensive performance alongside Dann, earnt him man of the match, whilst a lot of praise was reserved for the performances of keeper Itumeleng Khune and winger Bolasie.
With a cup competition and European football in the bag, It was looking like one of the club’s most successful year in their history.
