game, in a 2–1 loss. At the end of the 2000–01 season, he had made 22 appearances, scoring once in all competitions. In the 2001–02 season, Powell retained his first team place for the side despite being linked with a move away from the club. On 18 September 2001, he scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–2 draw against Bristol Rovers. Powell then captained Brentford for the first time in his career following the absence of Paul Evans, as the club lost 1–0 against Northampton Town. During a 0–0 draw against Chesterfield on 12 March 2002, he tore his hamstring early in the first half and was substituted as a result. Powell returned to the first team on 6 April 2002, in a 3–0 win over Huddersfield Town. On 1 May 2002, he scored his second goal of the season, in a 2–1 win over Huddersfield Town to help Brentford reach the Second Division play-off final at the Millennium Stadium, where they lost 2–0 to Stoke City. At the end of the 2001–02 season, Powell had made 48 appearances, scoring twice in all competitions. During his time at Brentford, Powell made 150 appearances and scored eight times in all competitions. Crystal Palace In the summer transfer window of 2002, it was expected that Powell would stay at Brentford for the 2002–03 season. However, in August, he signed for Crystal Palace for £400,000, having previously been targeted by Manager Trevor Francis. Powell made his Crystal Palace debut in the opening game of the season against Preston North End, starting and scoring the first goal, in a 2–1 win. From the start of the season, he established himself in the starting eleven. On 10 September 2002, Powell scored again in the first round of the League Cup, in a 2–1 win over Plymouth Argyle. Despite being sidelined on numerous occasions during the 2002–03 season, Powell went on to make 46 appearances, scoring twice in all competitions. In the 2003–04 season, Powell was initially an integral part of the team, but was subsequently plagued with injuries. Powell was also suspended when he received a second bookable offence, in a 1–1 draw against Derby County on 14 October 2003. While on the sidelines, Powell was close to joining Palace's Division One rivals, Reading, but the transfer move broke down, citing a failed medical, as well as, manager Iain Dowie's desire to