Crystal Palace

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On Wednesday evening, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner spoke to the media before tonight's Conference League game against Dynamo Kyiv at Motor Lublin Arena in Poland (kick-off 17:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no new injury concerns as "everybody is fit" and goalkeeper Walter Benitez "is back in the squad".

• Glasner acknowledged the tight turnaround Palace face for European games but insisted he will "always play the best available team" while resting players who need it.

• On squad rotation: "I know how we will line-up, but the players do not know – so let's see!"

• He said they will continue to manage Eddie Nketiah's minutes because he "missed the whole pre-season nearly" and they "won't risk an injury."

• On the use of long throw-ins: "We practise it as it is a chance to score a goal. The advantage over a free-kick is that there is no offside and you [opposition] have to defend a bigger space. We want to take advantage of it."

• He said they are "very confident and want to show that" in their first game in the group stage of the competition.

• On whether his prior knowledge of managing Eintracht Frankfurt in European competition will help Palace this season: "My past experience is not important. Of course, I always want to help and support the team as good as I can. I always try to give my experience and that is not just in football, but in my life. Nothing I did with Frankfurt will help us [against Dynamo Kyiv]. It is a new opposition, new stadium and new environment. But what can help us is how we approach the game."

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Almost every week the Premier League narrative is built around the big clubs, but not this time. Crystal Palace's phenomenal recent form has been unfairly overlooked to some degree but not now. Stopping the Liverpool juggernaut in its tracks is one thing, but this was no fluke. The three points were well deserved and could easily have been wrapped up in the first half at Selhurst Park by Oliver Glasner's side.

‌The recent Palace story is even bigger than that, they have a myriad of reasons to be applauded. They are the only unbeaten side in the Premier League and deserved to be sitting in second place on Sunday morning. They have done this while losing their two best players in the last year, Michael Olise to Bayern Munich and Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, though the £100m income from the pair would have come in handy with the rebuild. This could and maybe should have led to a precipitous fall, but it has not, well not yet anyway.

‌Is this just a lucky run of form against generally more average sides? Well winning the Community Shield against Liverpool along with their win on Saturday spoke volumes and they had already drawn away at Chelsea and could have easily won that one too.

‌At the end of last season, they drew away at Arsenal, Liverpool and won at the Tottenham Stadium, and that is before you come to the FA Cup win against the mighty Manchester City.

‌This is a golden time for Palace, maybe one of the best in the club's history. They deserve their position and they deserve their shot at European glory.

‌I just hope those extra games do not turn out to be their downfall. That looks like their biggest threat to continuing success just now.

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Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace are the only remaining unbeaten side in the Premier League - and their 18-game run without losing is the joint longest in their history.

Manager Oliver Glasner is deservedly taking many of the plaudits, but just how far can the Austrian take his side – and is this form sustainable?

There is some statistical evidence to suggest there could be even more to come from the Eagles.

Opta's prediction model, which simulates every single Premier League match 10,000 times, believes the south Londoners will finish fourth, rating their chances of Champions League qualification at 43%.

That figure may raise eyebrows, given it is significantly higher than the likes of Chelsea (22.6%), Newcastle (15.2%) and Tottenham (13.9%), but it underlines Palace's improvement under Glasner that they are even in the conversation.

The best league finish in Palace's history was third in 1990-91, under Steve Coppell, but they have never placed higher than 10th in a Premier League campaign.

However, their form in 2025 is certainly among the league's best.

Since 1 January, Palace's expected goals tally is 46.2, which ranks second. They have also been strong defensively, allowing their opponents an expected goals total of just 29.4. That gives them an overall expected goals difference of 18.6, a figure bettered only by Liverpool.

It may be worth bearing in mind, however, that the vast majority of their games in 2025 came with Eberechi Eze in the side.

The attacking midfielder joined Arsenal towards the end of the transfer window, and though replacement Yeremy Pino has made a good start to his Palace career, Eze's departure is still likely to have an impact.

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As well as coping without Eze this season, Palace will also have to adapt to the challenges of European football.

The Eagles have already played two qualifying games in the Conference League and play the first of six matches in the league phase on Thursday, taking on Dynamo Kyiv in Poland.

The additional workload could take a toll on the Eagles' relatively shallow squad, though it is also a huge opportunity for the club.

Opta's prediction model rates the South Londoners as the outstanding side in the competition, giving them a 53.5% chance of lifting the trophy, well clear of second favourites and two-time runners-up Fiorentina.

Glasner has already won European silverware, lifting the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022. Winning back-to-back trophies with Palace – who had not won a major competition before his arrival – would be a truly remarkable achievement and would cement his place as one of Europe's most in-demand managers.

Tottenha are among the potential destinations for 25-year-old Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi. (CaughtOffside), external

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"He has got to be our next manager".

That's what plenty of clubs will be thinking about Oliver Glasner, says former Premier League striker Chris Sutton.

After beating Premier League leaders Liverpool on Saturday, Glasner's Crystal Palace are now the only team yet to taste defeat in the top flight this season.

With three wins and three draws, they find themselves third in the table, one point behind Arsenal and three behind defending champions Liverpool.

"Crystal Palace's squad is too thin [to mount a title challenge], but you look at their starting XI and it is superb," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"Oliver Glasner did an interview I saw recently where he said there is too much onus on systems and not enough on habits. He was talking about his system, and he has his system, but he goes in, assesses the players that he has and then it is about getting the best out of that group.

"That is what he has done at Crystal Palace, and they are so good at what they do. We talk about them finishing high up in the table, which they may well do if they keep everybody fit and keep Guehi in January.

"That is where they lack, but if you compare them to say Manchester United at this moment in time - and there is a lot of talk about Ruben Amorim and his system - how many of those United players would get into this Crystal Palace team?"

Despite his recent success, Palace boss Glasner's future at the club is still uncertain, with less than 12 months remaining on his current contract.

"Oliver Glasner, with respect to Crystal Palace, he will have a shelf-life there. He can only take them so far in many respects," Sutton added.

"We have spoken about their lack of squad depth, and I do think that is an issue. If anything happens to Mateta or one of their centre-backs then I do think that changes the dynamics of the team.

"So, it is phenomenal what he has achieved there and the way they are playing, but eventually they will start dipping again and he has to get out at the right time.

"I am positive there will be a lot of clubs out there thinking 'he has got to be our next manager'."

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Alex Pewter
Fan writer

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Awards in football are not handed out in September - well, at least before the Ballon d'Or was brought forward. That technicality aside, Oliver Glasner and Crystal Palace, despite the plaudits this weekend, are well aware their work is far from done.

Having matched a club record of 18 games unbeaten, Palace have also earned 12 points from the opening six matches - a return not seen in the top flight since the days of Steve Coppell at the start of the 1990s.

If not for a free-kick ruled out against Chelsea and the goalkeeping heroics of Sunderland's Robin Roefs two weekends ago, it could have been more - but Palace fans know not to be greedy.

At the heart of this initial success, much like that which ended the past two seasons, has been the quality of coaching and player development under Glasner. The staff are maximising the talents available to them, while being patient with players as they reach that level.

It is fitting that one of the standout performers was Daichi Kamada in midfield, and the match-winner against Liverpool was Eddie Nketiah - two players in a very different situation 12 months ago.

Thursday is another milestone for the club. A first league phase match against Dynamo Kyiv, a name synonymous with European football - the most successful team in both Ukrainian and the Soviet-era leagues, and twice Cup Winners Cup winners.

Glasner is going to have to lean on his broader squad to manage the additional workload of Conference League games - because as promising as the start has been, it is where the team finishes in May that counts.

The exciting aspect for Palace fans is that the team have not even hit their attacking stride yet.

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How many Manchester United players would get into the Crystal Palace team?

That was the question asked by former Premier League striker Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club because both clubs play the same formation, but Palace are getting the results.

"They are well-drilled at Palace," answered The Observer's Rory Smith. "And what is impressive is how quickly Oliver Glasner managed that.

"He has been able to do it consistently too, even though their players change because they do have to trade.

"They lost Michael Olise last summer and Eberechi Eze this summer yet Glasner does not seem to bat an eyelid. That is a really modern way of managing because he accepts things change around him.

"Sometimes those changes can be challenging and he has put his foot down, like saying they shouldn't be selling their captain, but none of that detracts from the work he does.

"The fact they are 18 games unbeaten is genuinely astonishing and the fact they are third in the Premier League after the summer they had, is extraordinary.

"You have to stress what a brilliant job Glasner has done."

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We asked for your views on how Crystal Palace can balance European football with their fine start to the Premier League season.

Here are some of your comments:

Gary: I think the Conference League is winnable for us. Glasner's attitude is to win every game. I don't think he will let our league form slip. We'll need a couple more signings in January as the squad is still a little thin. We have the ability to finish in the top eight at least. I'm sure Glasner will make sure we can finish high as possible.

Steve: I am concerned that our squad is just not big enough and we don't have the back up players to cover injuries that will occur with more games to play.

Sean: I have been a Palace fan for 45 years - winning the FA Cup and Community Shield still haven't sunk in properly yet - let alone schooling Liverpool and sitting third in the table (even if it is early doors). I have never seen us play so well as a team - and just hope that the manager's 'yes we can' mentality starts to rub off onto the chairman (and board) - then maybe 'yes, we will!'

Kevin: Our squad it too thin to mount a challenge on the Conference League and continue our great start in the Premier League. The most likely scenario is we will fall between too stalls as Glasner says he always plays his strongest team for all games. Too much strain on players will cause multiple soft tissue injuries and our depleted team will not be as successful.

Al: Despite Uefa acting against Palace, we are determined to enjoy our first proper European adventure. The media can say what they like but Palace are playing in Europe and we are not going to be quiet either. Clubs and countries will witness and hear the fans' passion and clubs will know they have played a top side. Bring it on.

Adrian: If anyone can navigate Europe as well as keeping our unbeaten Premier League title push alive it is 'Lord Glasner'.

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Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace may have been demoted from the Europa League last month but they're riding high in other continent-related tables, and are currently on the longest unbeaten run of any club in Europe's top five leagues.

Their streak of 18 matches without defeat is at least twice as long as that of giants Barcelona and Bayern Munich, who are next best in the rankings.

The run includes two wins and a draw against Liverpool, an FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, and draws at both Arsenal and Chelsea.

It's an incredible turnaround by a team that lost five of their first eight top-flight games last season, only registering their first league win at the end of October.

Only Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City have won more Premier League points than Palace in 2025, while the Eagles' defence have conceded just three goals in their opening six league matches this season, even though four of those six games have come against teams who finished in the top seven in 2024-25.

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Former Premier League forward Wayne Rooney says Crystal Palace's recent successes are not only down to manager Oliver Glasner, but the club staying true to their values.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Manchester United's record goalscorer said he has met Glasner on multiple occasions and describes him as a "genuine person".

"I don't think it's just down to him," Rooney said. "Over the past 10 years, Crystal Palace have recruited really well. They're bringing players in who are hungry, with desire, who've got something to gain and got something to look forward to and fight.

"They're bringing players from the streets. In the past 10 years, Palace remind me of a street football club. I don't think they've gone away from their values. I think that's really important and special.

"What they've got now is a manager who knows how to win, and knows how to win trophies. He's done it in different countries. He's done it in England now with the FA Cup.

"It's going to be very difficult for Palace to keep him."

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Andy Stevenson
Final Score reporter

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The noise from Selhurst Park will still be ringing in the ears of the Liverpool players even as they step out into the notoriously intimidating Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Turkey on Tuesday night.

The combination of the forward-thinking, innovative football played by Oliver Glasner's team and the incredible atmosphere created by the Eagles' fans is an intoxicating mix, which Liverpool could not cope with.

Crystal Palace are not FA Cup holders by accident. They are not third in the Premier League by accident. No Eze, no problem it seems. They are the real deal.

Glasner has his team playing in a system all of his players seem to a) understand and b) enjoy. Jean-Philippe Mateta just one of a number of players transformed under the Austrian.

It is almost impossible to say this without sounding patronising, but isn't it refreshing to see the likes of Palace and Bournemouth (and Nottingham Forest last year) attacking the Premier League and making a big impact on the established hierarchy?

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After a fantastic first six games of their Premier League season, after which they sit third and remain the only unbeaten team in the division, Crystal Palace's first ever European group/league phase gets underway this week.

Oliver Glasner's side are now unbeaten in their last 18 competitive games stretching back to last season, have won the FA Cup and Community Shield in this period, and appear to have adapted admirably to the loss of talisman Eberechi Eze to Arsenal.

But now the inevitable questions over how Palace can balance Europe and domestic football with a relatively thin squad, many of whom are not used to playing twice in a week and the travel that entails, will be asked.

While the Conference League provides the excitement of fun away days and fevered nights under the lights at Selhurst Park, it does not quite provide the glamour or reward of the Europa or Champions League and could clip the wings of a team flying so high in the Premier League.

Palace fans, we want to know how you're feeling before this European adventure really kicks into gear.

Are you thrilled by a genuine chance to go deep into and potentially win a European competition? Or would you actually rather you could just focus on the Premier League and the promise of a historic campaign?

Let us know your thoughts here.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

Here are some of your replies:

Palace fans

Steve: That was the best performance I've seen from Palace. It could have been 5-0 at half-time and when Liverpool made big changes, we still managed them. I have to keep pinching myself because this isn't what we are used to, but I rather like it.

Andy: The master tactician Glasner set the team up perfectly! Every player knew their role and executed. When Liverpool scored the team didn't lie down, they got back up and took the game! You've got to be happy to be a Palace fan!

Stephen: I'm speechless. It was a display of pure brilliance. We could've had six or seven goals and we deserved the win. If we could play like that every week then I'm convinced we could win the title. It's just a dream at the moment, but can it become reality?

Michael: This is the best Palace team ever. They seem unbeatable, nobody knows how to beat this well-drilled Oliver Glasner system. Long may it continue. We are living the dream.

Liverpool fans

Harry: In the first half, it honestly looked like we didn't know how to play football. We couldn't win the ball in vital areas, we were dispossessed 75% of the time when trying to find the last ball, we made sloppy mistakes and were tragic in defence. In the second half, we picked up the pace slightly but again were dispossessed and gave away chances/fouls when there was no need. I certainly think Slot needs to change something up behind closed doors.

Carl: It seems like we do not have a real plan or sense of urgency. We should've lost this game by many more goals. I still do not understand Slot's selection process, it seems based on money equals results but it does not work. Arne, please start the seasoned players who have requisite composure and skill.

Tim: An abysmal first half, we were not switched on from the off. The constant mixing of new team players seems to mean a lack of cohesion. Some of the new signings need to step up, Isak included.

Carlo: We aren't looking like champions at all. The first half was lethargic and disorganised. The second half was chaotic and again disorganised. The multi-million pound players are not really up to the task. Champions? Not in my book.

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Crystal Palace are the only team in the Premier League that remain unbeaten and sit third in the table behind Arsenal and Liverpool.

Selhurst Park is their fortress and not even the reigning champions could leave with any points.

"Liverpool were not great and could not keep possession of the ball, but Palace were really, really good," said former top-flight goalkeeper David James on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast.

"They have this feeling around them this season that is like they don't care what people think because they are just going to do their thing.

"Liverpool were putting all of this pressure on and they got the equaliser late on but Palace knew they might still get a chance to win it.

"They deserved to. They are a side that know they are good enough and they are proving they are more than good enough at the moment."

Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer also looked at why Crystal Palace's players being comfortable in their system helped them beat Liverpool on Match of the Day.

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Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday’s Premier League fixtures.

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And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Sunderland

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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Crystal Palace fans may have had their tongues firmly in cheeks when they chanted "we're going to win the league" - but Oliver Glasner's side fully deserved their victory against Liverpool.

They may have lost star forward Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, but they still possess quality and ran Liverpool ragged at regular intervals.

Only the formidable one-man barrier of Alisson and the woodwork spared the champions first-half humiliation and somehow kept the deficit at just one goal.

Glasner's emerging side have now gone 18 games unbeaten, playing with the confidence that winning the FA Cup has given them, as well as the knowledge their outstanding leader is once again proving his managerial pedigree.

Palace possess strength through the spine of their side - from Henderson in goal, captain Marc Guehi in defence, Adam Wharton in midfield and a thrilling attack in which striker Mateta may be erratic, but a constant danger.

How Liverpool must wish Marc Guehi's deadline day move had not fallen through and that they had his steadying influence at the back for them, where they have looked vulnerable all season and Ibrahima Konate endured a nightmare.

Palace are unbeaten after six league games and this performance demonstrated why they deserve that lofty status.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner spoke to BBC Match of the Day after the late victory against Liverpool: "We deserved the win. We played an amazing first half and we had a deserved lead. They deserved an equaliser but I'm delighted at the reaction of our team to overcome the pressure of Liverpool.

"Every player is so important. All of the substitutes came on to help us win the game. I'm really proud of the performance. We talk about our personality, we always go for the win.

"Everybody who is close to Crystal Palace got their reward this afternoon. The fans will have a great Saturday evening, as will the whole club.

"The players showed so much confidence. We made so many runs, the quality of the passes, the runs into the box, it was all excellent.

"We will analyse the game and take in all of this positivity. I said to the players to enjoy this evening, it is the best recovery. You have to enjoy these moments, otherwise you have to ask why you are doing it."

Centre-forward Eddie Nketiah also spoke to Sky Sports after scoring the late winner to seal all three points: "I just tried to stay calm, I got a good first touch and a nice finish."

On the full-time scenes: "That's what our fans are known for and it shows the togetherness of the group. We always keep believing, there was still time to play. The manager said to stay calm, told us that we would get another situation and thankfully we did.

"There aren't many teams who can create that many chances against Liverpool, so it's a thoroughly deserved three points.

"We are just taking it one game at a time. We have a really good group, so we will keep pushing and try to bring more success to the fans."

Did you know?

• Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last 18 games in all competitions (W8 D10). This is their joint-longest ever unbeaten run as a Football League club - also 18 games from February to August 1969.

• Timed at 96:59, Eddie Nketiah recorded both the latest winning goal on record scored by Crystal Palace in the Premier League and the latest winner conceded by Liverpool in the competition (since 2006-07).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Palace's performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Oliver Glasner makes one change to his Crystal Palace side that beat West Ham United 2-1 last weekend. Adam Wharton returns in midfield in place of Will Hughes, who drops to the bench.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi (c), Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Pino, Mitchell, Sarr, Mateta

Substitutes: Matthews, Lerma, Nketiah, Uche, Clyne, Hughes, Canvot, Sosa, Devenny

Arne Slot rotated his Liverpool squad in the midweek League Cup win against Southampton, so is able to name a similar team to the one that beat Everton in the Merseyside derby last weekend.

There are two changes though, as Florian Wirtz replaces Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak is handed a first Premier League start for his new club, with Hugo Ekitike suspended after his sending off in midweek.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Isak, Salah

Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Frimpong, Ngumoha