Football
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Alan Pardew: Premier League schedule for Europa participants 'not fair'

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew believes Europa League clubs should be given more time to recover for Premier League matches, claiming the current schedule is "not fair."

Palace host Everton on Saturday, knowing a win will see them leapfrog Roberto Martinez's side, who have endured a disappointing campaign so far.

Everton have won only two out of six matches following Europa League games this season and Pardew believes the tournament's schedule is a heavy burden to bear.

"You only have to look at the record of teams that have been in it," Pardew said.

"If you haven't got a Champions League-sized squad, that Thursday to Sunday [turnaround] isn't fair.

"I really and truly believe it should be Monday nights for Spurs and Everton and then we might have a chance of winning that trophy.

"Chelsea have won it because they came out of the Champions League and had the squad big enough to cope.

"It's a tough call for Spurs and Everton to try to win that trophy."

Pardew added: "Do I feel sorry for Roberto? One hundred percent I do, I'm genuinely saying that.

"When I was Newcastle manager it hurt. Travelling home on a Friday after a Thursday night game in Russia and Greece, and then to be expected to play on the Sunday -- it's not fair."

Tottenham and Everton have both made it through to the Europa League knockout stages but while Spurs have maintained a top-four challenge, the Toffees find themselves closer to the bottom three in terms of points than the table's top half.

"There are a lot of top teams who are wary of that Europa League because of that reason," Pardew continued.

"The intensity of the Premier League makes it more difficult to play Thursday and Sunday than a La Liga game or a Ligue 1 game in France.

"I've seen those games and they're not at the same intensity so the English clubs are at a particular disadvantage playing on the Sunday."

While a run of six games without a victory has seen Everton slide down the league, Palace have been sparked into life under Pardew, winning four out of four in all competitions under their new boss.

"It's a difficult agenda for them and we need to make it even more so on the pitch," Pardew said.

"They have some great players who are used to big games. If we win, it gives us a great platform for the rest of the season."

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