The 2–1 away victory against Peterborough United on 10 November saw the club make its best start to a league season in 37 years. With the following home win against Derby County on 17 November, Palace extended its unbeaten run to 14 games, a run ended by the away defeat to Leeds United on 24 November. Palace managed to score in every single one of its first 18 matches of the 2012–13 Championship season, a feat unmatched in the division during the season.[6]
Despite a poor run towards the end of the season with only 1 win in their final 10 league games, Crystal Palace gained promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 8 years after beating Watford 1–0 in the 2013 Football League Championship play-off final at Wembley. The club's 2012–13 season was subject of an Amazon Prime Video five-part series, ‘When Eagles Dare’, documenting their promotion to the top flight via the Championship playoffs.[7]
In the League Cup, Palace beat Exeter City away, coming from behind to win 2–1, before losing to Preston North End, again away from home, in the second round. The third round of the FA Cup saw Palace entertain Stoke City, with a 0–0 home draw forcing a replay, though they ended up losing that game 4–1.
Updated to match(es) played on 4 May 2013. Source: BBC Sport Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
^Bolasie was born in Lyon, France, but also qualifies to represent England and DR Congo internationally and made his international debut for DR Congo in March 2013.
^Zaha was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, but was raised in England from the age of 4, and represented them at U-19 and U-21 level before making his international debut for England in November 2012. He would switch his international allegiance back to the Ivory Coast in November 2016 and made his international debut for the Ivory Coast in January 2017.
^Williams was born in Pembury, England, but also qualifies to represent Wales internationally through his father and represented them at U-17, U-19, and U-21 level before making his international debut for Wales in March 2013.
^Nimely was born in Monrovia, Liberia, but also qualifies to represent England internationally through his father and has represented them at U-20 level. He has since switched his international allegiance back to Liberia.
^Appiah was born in Thamesmead, England, but also qualifies to represent Ghana internationally and would make his international debut for Ghana in January 2015.
^Sekajja was born in Mulago, Uganda, but was raised in England and has represented them at U-16 level.
^Price was born in Bournemouth, England, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally and made his international debut for Wales in November 2005.