Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards confirmed the club were targeting both the Premier League and the Conference League after returning to action with strong wins in both competitions.
After almost a month between matches, Crystal Palace returned to action on Thursday against Fiorentina in the Conference League quarter-final first leg.
Winning 3-0 thanks to goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta, Tyrick Mitchell and Ismaila Sarr, it was the perfect way to return to action.
But, with Premier League survival all but secure and reaching the European places for next year by virtue of their league position unlikely, many wondered how Palace would approach their league fixture with Newcastle.
Five changes to the starting lineup, with both centre midfielders and the whole front three from the clash with Fiorentina rested, suggested the Conference League was the priority.
But with Palace trailing 1-0, Oliver Glasner made positive changes and the Eagles were able to come back to win 2-1 with Mateta bagging both goals from off the bench.
It now gives Palace a platform to build off in the league and defender Chirs Richards told Premier League Productions that the plan was always to attack both the league and Europe.
He said: “The gaffer had a conversation with us about if we wanted to focus on one or the other, we all agreed that we wanted to go for both.
“We have a second leg [against Fiorentina] and then hopefully a semi-final afterwards. But again, we also want to climb up the table.
“We want to give our best performance every time we step out on the pitch. That's exactly what we're going to do.”
Selhurst Park was treated to two fantastic performances that have effectively seen Palace put one foot in the Conference League semi-finals and an opportunity of a strong Premier League finish.
Richards praised the fans for guiding the team home, while he cited Mateta’s last-minute penalty as a way to make the win ‘a bit more fun.’
Chris Richards insists the club are targeting both the Premier League and the Conference League for the rest of the season. Image Credit: Reuters.“It was amazing, it was bouncing,” Richards added.
“JP to step up and take the penalty… and bury it! Again, it was amazing. I think you heard the stadium, it was jumping today.
“With the great atmosphere, we wanted to reward the fans with two wins. I'm glad we were able to do that – and leapfrog Newcastle in the table!
“We knew that Newcastle are a very high-intensity team. We wanted to find their gaps.
“They were pressing man-to-man and we tried to find a few in behind. But, even keeping the ball and trying to find pockets, we did well as well.
“I think the game that we had here on Thursday helped us for a game like today, because they [Fiorentina] also played man-to-man.
“We’re very happy with the win, and I think when you can score in the last minute, I think it also makes it a bit more fun.”