Bert Head saw his Crystal Palace side finish off the 1970 – 1975 season in an improved 18th position finish, although they were still finding life difficult in the top flight. The eagles enjoyed a fine run in the League cup that saw the side reach the quarter finals of the cup competition, only suffering defeat against Manchester United in the last eight of the competition. Palace survived in the top flight once again during the 1971 – 1972 campaign as they finished it off in 20th position; however, they suffered relegation a year later, finishing off the campaign in 21st position. Malcolm Allison took charge at Palace and his first full season during the 1973 – 1974 campaign; however he could not prevent the slum form progressing as they finished off the season in 20th position, in turn suffering a back to back relegation, this time in to the third division.
Allison saw his Palace side improve as a team during the 1974 – 1975 campaign as they finished it off in fifth position. They crashed out of the domestic cup competitions in the second round as they suffered defeat against Plymouth Argyle and Bristol City.