Crystal Palace

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We asked for your thoughts after Crystal Palace drew at Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Here are some of your comments:

Steve: A fighting performance from Palace and what a goal from Mateta! I felt the team deserved a draw. I'm so pleased for them, as they approach a huge game at the weekend. They need to stop conceding so easily though because Ollie Watkins and others will punish them on Saturday. Tighten up, take their chances and the FA Cup final beckons.

Mark: They worked their socks off to grab a point at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal were not on their A game, but we can only perform against what is in front of us. Bring on the Villa.

Andy: A great performance with plenty of encouragement for Saturday's semi-final. No real negatives from the game, however you can see that Eddie Nketiah is lacking confidence which I believe is mainly due to game time. He creates space for the team with good runs but he needs to find the goals that he had at Arsenal. I'm confident he will though. Keep it going boys.

Milt: A brave and courageous performance from Crystal Palace against mighty Arsenal.

Rich: One of the most enjoyable performances for a while with two brilliant goals. The whole team were disciplined. We kept our shape, attacked when we had the chance and were really unlucky to only get a draw in the end. Apart from the two goals, we kept Arsenal to half chances. Eberechi Eze stepped up, Ismaila Sarr and Mateta looked great, a special mention for Daichi Kamada who was excellent, and Justin Devenny was great support defensively for Daniel Munoz. Are we hitting some form again? I hope so!

Ben: Much more like it from Palace. There was great energy to fashion several chances against a good Arsenal side. Our attack looked dangerous and our defensive shape was much-improved after recent thrashings. Overall, a massive boost ahead of the semi-final - bring it on!

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Crystal Palace's focus is now on a cup semi-final with Aston Villa the opposition at Wembley on Saturday.

The Eagles are safe in 12th position in the Premier League and their hopes of a path into Europe rest on winning the FA Cup.

Oliver Glasner was unlikely to change the 3-4-2-1 formation that has brought Palace some excellent results this season, though he did leave top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta on the bench.

The Eagles defended poorly at times in the first half but did have opportunities to take all three points, which would have meant Liverpool wrapping up the title.

Justin Devenny and Ismaila Sarr both had good chances in the second half with close-range headers, but neither caused Arsenal keeper Davud Raya problems.

Palace will need to defend better than at Emirates Stadium if they are to reach the FA Cup final - but Glasner will surely be pleased with the goals his side scored.

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Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta spoke to BBC Sport about his goal that rescued a point against Arsenal: "When I started on the bench, I could see he [David Raya] was very high up the pitch. So I knew if I won the ball, I could try, so I did and scored. It is one of the best goals of my career. I thought it hit the crossbar but thankfully it was in!"

On the trip to Wembley to play Aston Villa on Saturday: "We can go in with confidence and hopefully we will win the semi-final. It is a very big game for the fans, for everybody and I can't wait to play.

On his own form: "I am very happy. Hopefully I will score more goals. Fourteen goals is good but I hope for much more."

Did you know?

• Since Oliver Glasner's first Premier League game in charge of Crystal Palace, only Alexander Isak (32), Erling Haaland (31) and Mohamed Salah (30) have more Premier League goals than Jean-Philippe Mateta (27).

• Eberechi Eze netted his 30th Premier League goal for the Eagles, becoming the fourth player to reach that tally after Wilfried Zaha (68), Jean-Philippe Mateta (38) and Christian Benteke (35).

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Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner spoke to Sky Sports after Wednesday's draw at Arsenal: "Excellent. Credit to the players. The reaction [to recent results] was amazing. I'm proud of what the players showed.

"We scored amazing goals. I watched many Arsenal games and I can't remember a team with as many clear chances as we had.

"We want to show our identity and personality. It's important to keep this energy and confidence for the semi-final on Saturday.

"It was not our goal to decide the title - it was our goal to win the game. I think a draw is a very good result. More important is the performance. We are back on track. That's what we needed."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Arsenal's performance

What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?

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

A lot depends on Mikel Arteta's team selection here and how he manages the minutes for Arsenal's players, but he went strong against Ipswich at the weekend and, even when it was 11 versus 11, that wasn't a contest.

The Gunners have got the weekend off before they face Paris St-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, so I think Arteta will go pretty strong again here.

Crystal Palace had to play the second half with 10 men against Bournemouth on Saturday but still held on for a point, which was important after they had taken a couple of wallopings from Manchester City and Newcastle.

The Eagles conceded five goals last time they faced Arsenal, at Selhurst Park before Christmas, and it is tough to see them getting anything out of this game.

I don't see Arsenal doing as much damage this time, but it should still be a comfortable win for them.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Make your own prediction here, external

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game at Arsenal (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Ben Chilwell may miss Wednesday's game through sickness but otherwise everyone else is fit and available.

• On whether he will rest key players for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa at Wembley: "We have to look at what's best and which players are in the best shape. It doesn't mean we will make 10 changes tomorrow, but maybe two or three."

• He said that is "not because we value the Saturday game more" than the trip to Emirates Stadium but because they "need to be physically fit and mentally fit to be competitive".

• On the big week ahead: "We're looking forward to the 'Champions League week' - playing the semi-finalists and quarter-finalists within the space of three days. It's our 'Champions League week'!"

Follow all of Tuesday's football news

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Arsenal have won their past five Premier League games against Crystal Palace, netting five goals in both of the past two.

Having been unbeaten in four Premier League away games against Arsenal between 2019 and 2021 (won one, drawn three), Palace have lost their two league visits to Emirates Stadium by an aggregate score of 9-1.

However, under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's worst month for Premier League points per game at the Emirates is in April (18 in 12 games - 1.5 points per game), losing more games in that month (four) than in any other.

Alex Pewter
Fan writer

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This week has the potential to be historic or heart-breaking.

As I have alluded to on multiple occasions across multiple seasons, this club has an emotional attachment to the FA Cup. It is an unfulfilled dream to lift that trophy, one not unique to the team from Selhurst Park.

There's a black-and-white photograph of Southampton's 1976 FA winners hanging on the wall in the press room at St Mary's that I spotted at the match at the start of this month. It may be nondescript to many who pass it, but it has meaning to Palace fans, not just because Mel Blyth is recognisable among their number.

That year was the first major cup run and FA semi-final for the club, during which Crystal Palace seemed like a team of destiny. Ultimately they fell short to the eventual winners from Hampshire, a step away from Wembley.

For Southampton, that is their greatest success. For Palace, it is one that got away.

The morning before the quarter-final at Fulham, I spoke to a fellow supporter, who recounted travelling to each of those matches with his father. A cup run to spark a lifetime addiction, witnessing a journey to the team's first semi-final, now of five.

For others, the 1990 run to the final holds a similar sentiment, with Ian Wright's heroics against Manchester United being that unfulfilled moment. To a younger generation still, it is the three minutes where Jason Puncheon's goal led the 2016 final.

This week, there was a temptation to write about the team's recent defensive frailty and how the 0-0 draw with 10 men against Bournemouth impacted our thinking before the midweek game at Arsenal.

However, this is the week leading into the FA Cup semi-final, the round where it feels like you are finally at the dance, whether you believe in neutral venues or the Wembley spectacle.

Local fans, expatriates, and international fans alike will congregate in north-west London for a chance to compete for the big prize in May. Regular service can resume next week, but for now, it is all about Aston Villa on Saturday, regardless of the odds.

Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external

Chris Wise
BBC MOTD commentator

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Speaking to Oliver Glasner for BBC MOTD after the goalless draw with Bournemouth, I got the sense that he is very much looking forward to the week ahead for Crystal Palace. There was even a little smile that appeared on his face when the words 'FA Cup semi final' were mentioned.

But beforehand, it's Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on the Wednesday night, then Wembley on the Saturday. Less than 72 hours between those two games for Palace.

Glasner is not one for rotation. He tends to play the strongest side available, even if it stretches some of his squad to their capacity. That's what makes this week so interesting though. Palace would be foolish not to put most - if not all - their eggs in the FA Cup basket. The potential to finally get their hands on that trophy has scarcely felt as real as it does in 2025.

So what does Glasner do for the Arsenal game? Make wholesale changes? Tinker slightly? Trust that three days is enough for his squad to fully recover? He said after the game at the weekend that they will not be going to the Emirates 'waving the white flag'.

I think most Palace fans would accept if Glasner's team selection looked a little 'different' against Arsenal. The more pressing question is whether that's something Glasner himself would accept.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Crystal Palace fans

Rob: After a sluggish first half, we were ironically better with only 10 players in the second. Dug in and defended well while occasionally threatening in attack. The players clearly have the FA Cup semi-final on their minds - a definite drop in intensity in the league recently.

Trevor: A hard-fought point and a clean sheet is a big improvement. It might have been more if it hadn't been for ridiculous refereeing errors, but there wasn't enough ambition up front even in the first half. We need to up our game for the next couple of games or our season will fizzle out all too quickly. VAR needs to look at two yellows. No complaints for the two reds against Brighton but both of the yellows Richards received today were ridiculous and both Alex Scott and Tyler Adams should have had two yellows each.

Paul: Not sure how a game like this ended up with so many cards? Not really any bad fouls as such and a very harsh red for Richards. Good point and a much-needed clean sheet.

Bournemouth fans

Merlin: Disappointed that we couldn't snatch a win as they played with 10 men for 45 minutes. However we're still in a Europe position and we will be fighting for that Conference League spot. There is still hope!

Patrick: We've lost our mojo. I'd like to see more deep crosses into the box and more shots at goal from outside the box. It's boring and frustrating to watch. Come on lads we're better than this.

Matthew: An absolute non-event, other than the sending off and flurry of cards. The referee was far too trigger-happy early on. I feel we would have coped better against 11, -t least that would have given us the opportunities to counter that we thrive on. We can bounce back by securing the double over Manchester United.

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Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, speaking to BBC MOTD: "I was absolutely pleased with this point especially the way the game was going and conceding 10 goals in the previous two games. To have to play for 50 minutes with one player less, it's a great clean sheet."

On Chris Richards' red card: "For me it's how you lead the game and consistency. It's either two red cards - one for Chris Richards and one for Alex Scott. Or it's no red cards at all. When you don't show a second yellow for Scott, you don't show a second yellow for Richards. This is what I felt and everyone felt in the stadium. But you have to deal with the situation and it was a great team effort in the game."

On facing Arsenal on Wednesday and then an FA Cup semi-final next weekend: "I didn't think about the Arsenal game until now. It's clear Chris Richards will not be available [against Arsenal] but we will be ready. It's not the easiest game away but we will go there like always - don't present them with three points waving the white flag. We'll have a competitive team at the Emirates and three days later at Wembley."

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

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Crystal Palace's hopes of responding to recent heavy defeats at Manchester City and Newcastle were dealt a blow when defender Chris Richards was sent off for a second bookable offence in first-half stoppage time.

The Eagles were incensed at the decision, particularly as referee Sam Barratt had opted against dismissing Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott for a similar infringement a mere 10 minutes earlier.

Scott's half-time substitution suggests Cherries boss Andoni Iraola also felt the former Bristol City player was a little fortunate to still be on the pitch.

Palace manager Oliver Glasner had watched his side concede 10 goals in their past two games, but they restricted Bournemouth to half-chances in a resolute defensive showing after the break.

They were not without their chances at the other end either. Maxence Lacroix was inches away from getting on the end of Will Hughes' teasing free-kick five minutes after half-time, while Ilia Zabarnyi sent an attempted clearance over his own crossbar from a corner.

Evanilson steered a header narrowly wide from Adam Smith's cross, but that was the closest the visitors came to a breakthrough as Palace held on for a hard-fought point.

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Only Arsenal (five) have received more red cards in the Premier League this season than Crystal Palace (four) while it is the Eagles' joint-most sending offs across a single campaign in the competition (alongside 2014-15).

Were you at the game or following elsewhere?

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance

What did you make of Bournemouth's display?

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

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

• Brentford v Brighton

• Crystal Palace v Bournemouth

• Everton v Manchester City

• West Ham v Southampton

• Aston Villa v Newcastle (17:30 BST)

All kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

I was at St James' Park on Wednesday and Newcastle were brilliant in their 5-0 win over Crystal Palace, especially on the break.

The Eagles should really have levelled after going 1-0 down, but Eberechi Eze made a mess of his penalty and the game was over by half-time.

It has been a bad week for Palace, who also conceded five goals against Manchester City on Saturday, and how can I back them after they have shipped 10 goals in two games?

I am not exactly convinced by Bournemouth either, though. They ended a poor run by beating Fulham on Monday but they have looked a little tired of late, and don't have as much firepower as Newcastle or Manchester City.

My concern about Palace is how passive they looked against the Magpies. They need a response to that poor performance, and I think we might get one from them at Selhurst Park. Surely Eze can't play as badly again.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Bournemouth (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Glasner has confirmed that all the players are fit and available for selection ahead of the visit from Bournemouth.

• On having momentum: "The approach will be the same. We will go tomorrow and try to win the game against Bournemouth but having huge respect for their performances."

• Glasner stated that his side isn't "pleased" after conceding 10 goals in two games but insisted that they were praised not too long ago for having six consecutive clean sheets. He did admit that they made mistakes but isn't looking to "make a drama of it".

• The Palace boss was asked if losing 5-2 and 5-0 in consecutive games has shaken his belief, replying: "No, I think we are realistic. City and Newcastle have much more (resources) than we have but this is what we know. Over the season we're not competitors with these teams. But with the others around us - Brentford, Bournemouth, Fulham, Brighton - and there are two huge teams behind us, Manchester United and Tottenham, it shows the strength of the Premier League, and of our players. We still have a big chance to play the best season in Crystal Palace's history."

• Glasner was asked about his messaging to his players after the results and said: "It always has to be authentic. I can never show them something that doesn't happen. But we had good moments, and I showed them. It's how I work. When you have many wins, then you can be critical because they have a lot of confidence. Then when you lose a game you be more positive because they are down. It's being supportive and showing them they don't have to lose their belief."

• On Munoz signing a new deal: "No surprise for me. Daniel has had a great impact since he arrived. His availability, mentality and quality is so important for us and that is why I am really delighted the club did everything to extend his contract."

• Glasner praised the "amazing job" Andoni Iraola is doing at Bournemouth, stating the Cherries are direct and play with "a lot of confidence".

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

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Defender Daniel Munoz has extended his contract with Crystal Palace until the summer of 2028.

The 28-year-old signed from Belgian side Genk in January 2024 and has quickly established himself as a key figure in Oliver Glasner's side, making 54 appearances and registering six goals and 10 assists.

Palace Chairman Steve Parish said: "This is fantastic news for Crystal Palace. Daniel is the epitome of an excellent professional, giving his all in every match and training session.

"He has made a great impact since arriving in south London last year, and I am delighted that he has chosen to commit his future to the club."

Colombia international Munoz added: "From day one, I felt the energy on the field at Selhurst Park - now, it's my home."