Football: History Lesson

Liverpool's visit to Selhurst Park today may cause Steve Coppell, Crystal Palace's manager, to reflect on the 1989-90 season, when he first took the club into the top flight.

Palace's matches against Liverpool eight years ago reflected their progress that season. In September they were thrashed 9-0 at Anfield in what was John Aldridge's last match for Liverpool. Only three Liverpool outfield players - David Burrows, Ronnie Whelan and Alan Hansen - failed to score.

Four months later Palace, their defence reinforced by buying Nigel Martyn and Andy Thorn, restricted Liverpool to a 2-0 win at Selhurst. Finally, when the teams met in April in their FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park, Palace won 4-3 after extra time on arguably the greatest day in the club's history.