With marauding right-back Daniel Muñoz having struck in back-to-back matches at Selhurst Park – putting both Newcastle United and Manchester City to the sword – it’s time to take another look at the Eagles’ full-backs with a penchant for finding the back of the net…
But perhaps it is no surprise – in 148 games for Belgian side Genk, the Colombian's previous club, Muñoz scored 19 goals and created 20 more for his teammates, building a reputation as a real threat down the right wing.
Those came in all shapes and sizes too: 11 headers, four right-footed and four-left footed efforts.
His last-gasp header against Newcastle – our November Goal of the Month winner – and crisp low effort against City demonstrated similar versatility in front of goal.
But which other Palace full-backs became synonymous with finding the back of the net?
Tyrick Mitchell chipped in from full-back against Manchester United back in May last year, his third goal for the club coming in a 4-0 thrashing.
Mitchell had previously scored against Burnley at Turf Moor last year, and his only other effort came more than two years ago against Aston Villa in a behind-closed-doors game.
“It’s a great feeling to score so I’m happy," Mitchell beamed after scoring at Turf Moor. "It’s always good to score. I don’t do it a lot, but it was a great goal!
Mitchell is not the only full-back in the current squad to get on the scoresheet.
In May 2023, Joel Ward scored the equaliser against Fulham, but his 351 Palace appearances have included some more vital strikes.
The most notable? The winner against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, thank you very much.
Nathaniel Clyne’s last goal for Palace came against Reading in 2009, his only goal for the club – but he got on the scoresheet for both Southampton and Liverpool during his time away from Selhurst Park.
As for others from our recent history?
Patrick van Aanholt was no stranger to a goal, scoring 14 times in his four years at the club.
His most notable came in the final minute at Old Trafford, as he completed a lightning-fast counter-attack to stun Manchester United and seal a famous victory for Roy Hodgson’s Eagles.
On the left-hand side before Van Aanholt came Danny Granville, who joined Palace in 2001 from Manchester City and scored nine league goals, including three during the 2003/04 promotion-winning season – not to mention plenty of assists.
But the finest display of goalscoring from a Crystal Palace full-back has to go to Danny Butterfield, whose perfect hat-trick in against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 2010 FA Cup fourth round replay – in just six minutes and 48 seconds – has gone down in folklore at Selhurst Park.
Muñoz’ goalscoring ability has caught the eye across the continent – now, can he continue to bring the same to South London?
Selhurst Park: strap in tight…
