Alan Pardew’s Iconic Celebration Lives On: Yohan Cabaye Remembers Working with the Former Crystal Palace Boss
According to an interview with FourFourTwo, Yohan Cabaye, the former Crystal Palace midfielder, has recalled his time working with Alan Pardew, the team’s manager during their 2016 FA Cup final appearance. Cabaye, who made 109 appearances for Crystal Palace, remembers the occasion vividly, including Pardew’s iconic celebration after Jason Puncheon’s goal in the 2016 FA Cup final.
The 2016 FA Cup final was a memorable match for many reasons. Although Crystal Palace ultimately lost 2-1 to Manchester United, Pardew’s celebration after Puncheon’s goal has become one of the most enduring images in football history. Cabaye, however, had no idea of Pardew’s iconic celebration until after the full-time whistle. As FourFourTwo reports, "Afterwards, the players saw the celebration. It was typical from the coach, the gaffer. When it mattered, he was always really focused, but when he had to express himself it was just how he would express it in the moment."
Cabaye played under Pardew at two clubs, including Newcastle United, before the manager was sacked at Selhurst Park in December 2016. During his time at Newcastle, Pardew often praised Cabaye, particularly during his impressive 2013/14 campaign, which saw him leave Newcastle to join French giants PSG. As quoted in FourFourTwo, Pardew once said, "I think it’s essential to be honest with a player and I’ve just been honest with him and he respects that. The bottom line is that the player is a true character and has that X-factor. And when you’re at the top
