Crystal Palace

Alex Pewter
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The scene at Selhurst Park was set.

March sunshine, a traditional Saturday at 3pm kick-off and two special guests in attendance, England manager Thomas Tuchel and legendary commentator Barry Davies.

So, of course, this would be the reminder that the beautiful game is not always so attractive.

Nonetheless, the home fans would walk away happy with the late 1-0 victory over Ipswich, after a performance that would have possibly brought defeat during the poor vein of form at the beginning of the season.

Most importantly, Oliver Glasner and his team now have a well-earned break, a trip to Marbella on the cards and three weeks of waiting until their next competitive fixture.

This run of form, second only to Liverpool over the past six, eight and even 10 Premier League games, has been a remarkable feat.

No Crystal Palace team has been on this many points in the Premier League era after 28 fixtures in the top flight. You must go back to Steve Coppell's team in the early 1990s to find a higher tally – before modern football and records began, allegedly.

The question now is where the team can set their sights.

There is an FA Cup quarter-final on the horizon while it is Fulham who stand between Palace and Wembley and also occupying 10th spot in the league table that Glasner may well be chasing next.

Meanwhile, once Jean-Philippe Mateta returns the squad, will have a clean bill of health, something that has been unheard of this season.

There are no expectations, of course. Palace fans are adept at not counting their chickens. Yet this has all the ingredients to be a special end to the season.

So for now, we can dare to dream a little.

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AC Milan are considering a summer move for Crystal Palace's England left-back Tyrick Mitchell, 25, as they prepare for the departure of France left-back Theo Hernandez, 27. (Teamtalk), external

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We asked for your views on Crystal Palace's Premier League game against Ipswich.

Here are some of your comments:

Palace fans

Craig: Hard fought Palace win. Ipswich were good, organised, showed strength and fought well. Palace must remember the intensity they can play with and win more second balls like they did against Villa. If they do, Wembley and an FA Cup semi awaits them. Keep up the hunger Palace. We missed Hughes and Mateta.

Jerry: An ugly win. We never got into any sort of rhythm today. Far too many loose passes. Ipswich probably deserved a share of the spoils, but there have been quite a few games this season where we have got less than we deserved. We'll take it.

Dave: We didn't match our three previous performances, but a win is a win. Ipswich performed quite well and in honesty deserved something from this game, which lacked much quality (Sarr's goal being the exception). Chris Richards was our MOTM.

Ipswich fans

Xavier: Such a good performance, so it's a shame we didn't get the win.

Tim: Great effort, but today actually sums up the whole season. It's a microcosm of 'so close, yet so far'. We don't have that killer instinct and can't defend for 90 minutes. We're simply not good enough yet.

Will: Ipswich Town will always struggle if they continue to rely heavily on Liam Delap, upfront. I really do not understand why Kieran McKenna does not use George Hirst more often – especially around the 70-minute mark.

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Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson won his second England cap in a Nations League game against Finland in October, during Lee Carsley's spell as interim boss.

The 27-year-old is hoping to be involved when Thomas Tuchel names his first England squad on Friday for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

"I have spoken [to Tuchel]," said Henderson, after Saturday's 1-0 win against Ipswich. "He texted me before the game. Obviously, that's nice to know that he is watching.

"All I can control is what I can control and that's my job for the team, the way the manager [Oliver Glasner] wants me to play and showing up in big moments, which I have been doing.

"I'm really enjoying it and it is the best football I've played in the last couple of years, because I played a lot.

"I'm delighted. I'm on autopilot now, so I've just got to keep on.

"He [Tuchel] said he'd be at the game and in the stands watching and just wished me all the best."

Manchester City are considering making a summer bid for 21-year-old Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton. (TBR Football), external

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Highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 3-1 Southampton

• Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa

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Oliver Glasner spoke to Premier League productions after Crystal Palace's victory against Ipswich: "It was an amazing goal from Ismaila Sarr and we took the win. We are really proud because it's a third win in a row in the Premier League. It's a tough thing for any team to do and these guys did it. It's a great statement."

"Sarr is really doing well and it was a great decision. We had two chances - both times the goalkeeper was on the grass and saved it. Then the third time, he chipped the ball and it was the right decision to give us the three points."

"We now have three weeks without a game and it is important for us to use this time in the best way to make sure we are ready for the crunch time."

On winning without Jean-Philippe Mateta: "I don't think Mateta never won a game alone. He has always needed his team-mates. That was the same today. He gets the credit for scoring the goals but all the others help as well. They work hard, create chances and he finishes. Keeping a clean sheet is also important. It is always a team effort.

"I'm sure [Mateta] already saw [Sarr's celebration] and usually, he sends a text into the players' group. It's part of the great spirit in the group and everybody supports each other. It helps. We have a great group together between working hard and celebrating and always wishing the best for your team-mates. That's something I really appreciate and a basement for success."

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Ismaila Sarr's winning goal secured another important three points for the Eagles as they continue their run of good form.

The victory over Ipswich means it's the Eagles fourth in a row and they have lost just one of their previous 13 matches.

Sarr is having an excellent season for Palace and has now scored seven goals and registered three assists in 28 league games.

The Senegalese international was moved into a central striking role when Eddie Nketiah was withdrawn and his chipped winning goal was an excellent piece of skill.

Sarr then copied Jean-Philippe Mateta's trademark celebration by wheeling away and kicking the corner flag, to shouts of 'boom' from the Selhurst Park crowd.

The celebration has been seen many times in the last 12 months and Sarr did it in honour of Mateta who has been ruled out after having 25 stitches to a cut on his head following a challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

"I did it for [Jean-Philippe Mateta]. He is my guy. He is a good guy. But he is doing good." Sarr said.

Image source, PA Media

Only Liverpool (25) have won more Premier League points so far in 2025 than Crystal Palace (19 – W6 D1 L2).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Palace's performance

What did you make of Ipswich's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Nottingham Forest v Manchester City (12:30)

• Liverpool v Southampton - full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town

• Brighton v Fulham

• Brentford v Aston Villa (17:30) full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Everton (20:00)

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

The question is how Crystal Palace are going to cope without Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was injured in their FA Cup win over Millwall.

Mateta scored the winner when Palace beat Ipswich at Portman Road in December, but it is not just his goals that the Eagles will miss - it's his presence up front that has been so important for them too.

I am guessing Eddie Nketiah will lead their attack in his absence, and this is a big chance for him to shine.

There was heartbreak for Ipswich in the FA Cup, losing on penalties to Nottingham Forest, and now all they have to look forward to is a relegation fight.

The Tractor Boys have not won a league game this year, a run of eight games, so can they get something at Palace? I don't think so.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has revealed that "everybody is in touch" with Jean-Philippe Mateta, after he was carried off with a head injury during last Saturday's FA Cup win over Millwall.

The striker is set to miss Ipswich Town's visit to Selhurst Park on Saturday, but it is hoped he will be available after the international break - which runs from 17-25 March - as the Eagles head to Marbella for a warm-weather training camp.

When asked about how his team-mates have rallied around him in his pre-match news conference, Glasner said: "To be honest, it wasn't a big topic here in our training ground. Everybody had two days off and everybody is in touch with JP, messaging him.

"I think everyone could see how he was on the evening of that Millwall game. He had already announced that he was all good and everything was fine with him.

"That's how he is - he is such a lovely person - so everyone knows he is doing well and he will be back soon.

"I think his mother has come over from France and she is taking care of him, so he is in the best hands. When your mother looks after you, it is the best thing you can have. He has great support at home so we don't have to take care of him.

"When he goes with us to Marbella, he will also be in good hands and hopefully he will start training with us."

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Ipswich Town at Selhurst Park (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jean-Philippe Mateta is "doing well" after being carried off with a head injury in their FA Cup win over Millwall. He added: "He is at home and recovering well. He had no fractures or concussion and healing from the huge wound is going as we expected."

• He added that the striker will travel with the squad to Marbella next week for a warm-weather training camp but he will "be training individually". It is hoped that Mateta will be available to face Fulham, which is their first match back after the March international break.

• When asked if he supports the FA's push for goalkeeper Liam Roberts, he replied: "I neither support or don't support. It's their decision. For me, I know he has apologised to JP because he texted him. He knows he made a mistake, but he decided it in 0.1 second."

• Will Hughes is unavailable after picking up a two-match suspension for receiving 10 yellow cards this season.

• The players "will need to perform at their best" to beat relegation-threatened Ipswich, but they have shown "a lot of confidence" in training this week.

• Kieran McKenna has formed "a very good" Ipswich team that are "very aggressive and very organised". He added: "They are fighting for survival in the Premier League. They know they need some points, and the games are getting less and less."

• On his manager of the month nomination, he said: "I don't care about these things. My medal from the Europa League is somewhere next to my bed - I haven't seen it since I got it! Everything we achieve, we achieve as a team. As a manager, you are nothing without your players. So everything I achieve as a person, I have to give 100% of it to the players. It is their credit."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Crystal Palace forward Jean-Phillipe Mateta could emerge as a summer transfer target for Manchester United.

United head coach Ruben Amorim has already said he will have to sell before he buys this summer.

However, yet again after the 1-1 Europa League draw with Real Sociedad, Amorim admitted goalscoring was a huge problem for his team.

Mateta could be the answer. The 27-year-old has scored 15 goals for Palace so far this season and while the France forward could propel the Eagles to an historic first FA Cup triumph, he is ambitious and hoping to be part of France's 2026 World Cup squad. A move to United might help that.

Rasmus Hojlund drew another blank in Spain. The 22-year-old has not scored since December and it would be a surprise if Amorim did not try and reinforce his striking options this summer. Mateta appears to fit the right profile.

Mateta, whose contract expires in 2027, is currently sidelined after having 25 stitches inserted in the wound created by a red card challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the FA Cup at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

However, he is expected to be on the club's short break to Marbella and could return for the FA Cup sixth round tie at Fulham on 29 March.

Manchester United are considering a summer move for Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta. (Sun - subscription required), external

West Ham are among the clubs looking to sign Southampton's England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, 23, this summer. (Football Insider), external

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As Thomas Tuchel approaches his first England squad, I'm wondering who may make an appearance from the slightly less obvious candidates.

It could be too soon for this England squad, but I would go for Ben Chilwell hoping that with more minutes and with the relationship he has with Tuchel he could be an answer.

The Champions League season he had under Tuchel at Chelsea was his best. He speaks about it personally and what an impact it had on him.

I think the left-back position has been a bit a of a struggle for England in recent years so if Tuchel can get the very best out of Chilwell again it is an opportunity.

It's a controversial one, people will probably fire daggers, but I'm ready for it. If Chilwell can get back playing regularly it is a position he can command. He's not that old, only 28, so it's not like he is past his best. He definitely isn't at all.

He just needs a good run of games. His time at Chelsea towards the end was not great. I saw him in the FA Cup at the weekend against Millwall and he looks happier.

When you can get someone playing regularly, looking happy - and he has that prior relationship with Tuchel - then they are an asset.

I would put him ahead of Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly in terms of maturity. Whether this squad has come too soon I don't know but I would like to see it. He has international experience as well.

Maturity and know-how in the backline is so important and I think Chilwell has that. Defensively we've been quite light so he is my pick.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield

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Loan winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has more than played his part in an excellent season so far for Sheffield United.

The 22-year-old has spent the majority of his time on the right of an attacking midfield three in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which Blades boss Chris Wilder introduced last summer when Rak-Sakyi arrived from Crystal Palace.

His pace and trickery has been exciting to watch out wide but it's been in and around the penalty area that he's made his eight goal contributions.

Rak-Sakyi's six goals have all been scored inside the box, showing a mixture of quick feet, good movement, good awareness, composure and a ruthlessness when faced with a one-on-one situation.

His two assists both set up Tyrese Campbell, with the two summer signings developing a good relationship alongside Callum O'Hare and Gus Hamer.

Rak-Sakyi still has work to do to establish himself as a consistent, 90-minute player. There have been halves of football where he's been ineffective, but these have been few and far between. Excellent team displays against Middlesbrough and Leeds United recently have seen Rak-Sakyi really stand out.

The winger has only completed one full game in the Championship, and he missed six matches over Christmas and into the New Year with a muscle injury.

Rak-Sakyi has started 19 league matches, usually playing 60-70 minutes, and his eight sub appearances have often been as an impact player at the same point in a game, as Chris Wilder rotates his attacking options.