Crystal Palace’s disastrous second-half capitulation at Goodison Park on Thursday night could cost them at least £6million thanks to Premier League merit payments.
The Eagles coasted into half-time on Merseyside two goals to the good courtesy of strikes from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew but were slowly picked apart by Everton in the second period, going on to lose 3-2 as Frank Lampard’s side secured their top-flight survival. Michael Keane and Richarlison both scored to draw the Toffees level with 20 minutes to play before Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed home the winner late on, sparking a pitch invasion by supporters.
The defeat means Palace can no longer surpass their record Premier League points total of 49 and now leaves a top-half finish looking unlikely with the club dependent on other results going their way on the final day of the season. It also means Patrick Vieira and co could miss out on a huge cash windfall of at least £6million due to their league position.
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Prize money in the top flight is divided into equal shares for things like international TV rights and commercial revenue, though teams can earn more based on how high up the league table they finish. At one point on Thursday night, Palace had pushed themselves into tenth place. Had they managed to stay there past the final day of the season it would have pocketed them an estimated £24.2million.
But following their calamitous second half at Goodison Park, defeat has left them three places below in 13th, level on points with Aston Villa in 14th but marginally ahead on goal difference. If the Eagles remain in 13th come Sunday evening, they’ll be due to take home around £17.6million - £6.6million less than they could of have had from finishing tenth.
With 49 points, Leicester’s ninth-place spot is now mathematically unattainable, leaving tenth as the highest place available to Palace. They will only accomplish that by beating Manchester United on Sunday at Selhurst Park while also hoping fierce rivals Brighton lose to West Ham at the Amex Stadium. They’ll also need to hope Brentford (vs Leeds at home) and Newcastle (vs Burnley away) don’t pick up three points in their respective matches, as either team winning would mean a top-half finish is impossible.
Should Palace manage to climb towards the top ten but fall narrowly short, they’ll still pick up around £19.8million for a 12th-placed finish and roughly £22million for finishing 11th. Both sums could make a big difference for the club this summer, with the Eagles set for another busy transfer window of incomings and outcomings.
