Fourth within the desk, high quality everywhere in the pitch and a prime supervisor – Crystal Palace are having fun with their best-ever Premier League marketing campaign.
Marc Guehi’s late header secured a decent 2-1 victory away at Fulham on Sunday, shifting the Eagles up into the Champions League locations.
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A yield of 26 factors from their 15 opening matches is their highest tally at this level in a Premier League season and makes them severe contenders for a spot in Europe’s prime competitors subsequent yr.
Eddie Nketiah, who opened the scoring at Craven Cottage on his fiftieth look for the membership, mentioned “the sky is the restrict” if his facet proceed this wealthy vein of type whereas supervisor Oliver Glasner was fast to reward his staff.
“I may point out many gamers however it was an enormous staff effort – that makes me very proud,” he mentioned.
“That is why we’re the place we’re.”
However that reward comes only one week after for his or her lack of summer time funding following a 2-1 dwelling defeat by Manchester United.
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Together with his contract operating out on the finish of the season and uncertainty over the way forward for vital gamers like Guehi and Adam Wharton, considerations stay behind the scenes at Selhurst Park.
Will Palace’s house owners have the ability to preserve maintain of the supervisor that has introduced them such success? And may Palace preserve this stage to really make this a particular season in south London?
‘Biggest supervisor in Palace historical past’
Glasner joined Palace in February 2024 following profitable stints at Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt.
The 51-year-old has since guided Palace to back-to-back file factors totals within the Premier League and led them to a primary main trophy once they triumphed over Manchester Metropolis within the FA Cup final season.
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That led to a primary ever look in a significant European competitors – though it was downgraded from Europa League to Europa Convention League due to multi-club possession guidelines – whereas additionally they beat league winners Liverpool to win the Group Protect.
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher mentioned on Sky Sports activities: “We’re watching the perfect supervisor and the perfect staff in Crystal Palace’s historical past.
“These supporters couldn’t have dreamed what would occur to their soccer membership when that man got here in.”
Selhurst Park has develop into one of many hardest locations for groups to play with Palace unbeaten there within the league this season till defeat by United final weekend.
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On the highway, their type is arguably even higher.
Since Glasner’s first recreation in cost in March 2024, solely Arsenal (65), Liverpool (57) and Manchester Metropolis (55) have received extra Premier League factors away from dwelling than Crystal Palace (52).
However the defeat by United prompted Glasner to as he steered the club-record £60m introduced in by the sale of Eberechi Eze this summer time has not been reinvested within the squad.
His facet have misplaced all 4 league matches they’ve performed after a midweek European match this season, suggesting squad depth and juggling the elevated schedule calls for has been an issue.
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And Glasner was fast to level it out, saying the membership had “thrown away” the prospect to play a fair higher season by not spending in the summertime.
“When he will get a consequence he would not like, he isn’t shy in being outspoken in regards to the board or the sporting director,” mentioned Carragher.
“They most likely need to take it on the chin as a result of he’s the best supervisor of their historical past.”
‘Squad not sufficiently big’ to handle schedule
It’s clear Glasner is an bold supervisor.
It’s maybe additionally clear that he feels he’s being held again by a scarcity of depth within the squad whereas he’ll hope his feedback spark a flurry of January switch window motion.
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Glasner’s contract is ready to run out in June and the ambitions of the membership and the supervisor might want to align shortly if the success they’re presently having fun with is to proceed.
“There’s an enormous speaking level round Glasner himself along with his contract,” former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given advised BBC Sport.
“In the event you’re a director you are making an attempt to tie him down. The job he is executed is phenomenal – profitable the FA Cup and Charity Protect and getting Palace into Europe. You could not ask for any extra.
“He was indignant and upset after the United recreation as he felt he wasn’t backed in the summertime. It will likely be fascinating to see what occurs in January and the summer time and in the event that they again him.”
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Guehi’s contract runs out on the finish of the season and curiosity from Liverpool within the England defender, who was near a transfer away from Palace this summer time, is barely going to accentuate given their defensive troubles.
Prolific playmaker Wharton is a person in demand with a number of golf equipment fascinated by his companies.
In the meantime, gifted gamers like Ismaila Sarr, who’s presently injured however will quickly be heading to Afcon, and Jean-Philippe Mateta will definitely have goals of enjoying Champions League soccer.
“The squad’s not sufficiently big to relaxation gamers and it places extra pressure on the Premier League video games. High six can be an unbelievable season however huge golf equipment will probably be making an attempt to do the identical,” Given added.
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This Palace squad is likely to be of their best interval ever however they’re additionally getting ready to doubtlessly disbanding with the opportunity of a stellar marketing campaign being derailed.