A fast and imaginative player, Salako began his career at Crystal Palace in the mid 1980s, and was their regular left winger by the time they won promotion to the First Division in 1989. He was also in the side for the 1990 FA Cup Final, picking up a runners-up medal after they drew 3–3 with Manchester United before losing the replay 1–0. A year later, he helped Palace finish third in the league. Late in the 1990–91 season, he memorably scored twice for Palace in their 3–0 home win over Manchester United in the league.