CRYSTAL Palace have won many new fans this season - and can now count Jose Mourinho among them.
The Chelsea boss praised the Eagles during his pre-match press conference ahead of his team's clash with Norwich on Sunday.
Asked if he regretted his side's failure to beat Aston Villa, Sunderland and Palace, the Special One said: "I prefer to take Palace out of that triangle."
Talking about Chelsea's 1-0 Selhurst Park defeat in March, Mourinho continued: "Palace was a game, a real game. Of course, we missed chances, but I had that feeling of respect for football, for opponents."
He added: "I went to their dressing room after match, which is something I don't often do, I congratulated their players and team."
Palace can continue the love-in on Monday night by beating Liverpool - and potentially handing Chelsea a route back into the title race.
