This Crystal Palace duo reached 10,000 minutes of playing together during the 3-0 win over Arsenal
BY ANDREW MCSTEEN
While the 39th minute of the Crystal Palace vs Arsenal match on Monday night may not appear to be significant – Croydon’s Emile Smith Rowe was flagged offside for the visitors as they succumbed to a 3-0 loss – it was significant for the Eagles’ pair of Marc Guehi and Conor Gallagher.
After the pair had played together for the England senior team against Switzerland last month, it was their 139th match together, with 9,961 minutes shared on the pitch across 11 teams, including every England age group since U17 level.
That 3-0 win against Arsenal was their 85th win, and it saw them rack up their 10,000th minute playing together.
“This is just a nice [piece of] history in the game, that two players who started together at a young age now play together in the national team. This is wonderful, this is fantastic,” said Palace manager Patrick Vieira to the South London Press when asked about this rare stat.
“I don’t have in my mind any players who started like that and play the high level together, no, but they’re always together, close to each other and are really supporting each other. They know each other really, really well.
“They’re not playing in the same position, so I can’t compare them, but they’re eating together – they always are together. So when you see one without the other one, you just ask him: ‘where is he?’ joked the Palace boss.
Palace fans will be hoping that continues next season, with Gallagher’s current loan from parent club Chelsea finishing next month.
PICTURE: ROB AVIS
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