Dwight Gayle turns 37 today, offering Crystal Palace supporters the chance to revisit the moments that made the former Eagle such a memorable figure at Selhurst Park. Palace’s first major signing after promotion through the play-offs, Gayle scored 25 goals in 75 appearances for the club.
One of his most dramatic contributions came at Villa Park on Boxing Day. Introduced as a substitute, Gayle found himself one-on-one with Fabian Delph in added time before guiding a finish into the top corner beyond Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan. The goal earned Palace a vital victory and lifted the Eagles out of the relegation zone.
Gayle was also the star of Palace’s EFL Cup meeting with local rivals Charlton Athletic in September 2015. The Eagles claimed a 4-1 win at Selhurst Park, with the striker completing his hat-trick through two penalties and a powerful header from a corner.
Another defining moment arrived during the famous comeback known as Crystanbul. Palace trailed 3-0 before Damien Delaney reduced the deficit, after which Gayle scored twice. His first was a composed finish following Yannick Bolasie’s pass, while his second came in the 89th minute after Glenn Murray helped Scott Dann’s searching ball into his path.
Gayle’s final Palace goal also carried major significance. In his penultimate match for the club, he helped secure safety for another season at the end of the 2015/16 campaign. After equalising shortly after half-time, he completed his brace with an audacious 25-yard free-kick, which became the final goal scored at Selhurst Park that season and his last for Palace before his move to Newcastle United.
