This - it seems - is the season of the set piece.
The Premier League debates are more about dead balls than ever before, with some sides enjoying immense success from corner kicks, throw ins or well-worked free-kicks.
What fine timing then for BBC Sport to launch a column with former manager Tony Pulis, a man who seemed to finely extract the fine margins from the game.
You can take in Tony's column on set pieces here
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views after Crystal Palace knocked Liverpool out of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 win at Anfield.
Here are some of your comments:
Crystal: It was an excellent performance. Professional and competitive. We can't be responsible for Liverpool's choice of inexperience in the squad. Palace have a small squad and still compete at all levels with three games a week on occasions.
Brian: 3-0 to Palace flattered Liverpool. Palace constantly ripped through their defence and controlled the opposition to having just one shot on target. Sure it was a makeshift Liverpool side but you can only play what's on the pitch and 3-0, against any team Liverpool can put together, is a good result.
Steve: Thoroughly deserved win against a weakened Liverpool side. Palace should have won by a bigger margin, but a win at Anfield is always something to treasure. Good to see Pino score his first goal, and Sarr with two well-taken goals. Let's hope this kickstarts another run of good results.
Stuart: Another clinical Palace game driven by Glasner's selection and working out of the opposition. Slot has a complete disregard for the cup and his own supporters by playing a B-team against Palace and with no back-up on the bench.
Image source, Getty ImagesCrystal Palace fans were in jubilant mood after their side secured a comprehensive 3-0 win against Liverpool at Anfield in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Thursday, Palace fan Dan Cook praised the team's professionalism and the control they showed after a shaky start.
"We are such a well-drilled team now and there is a real professionalism with the way we operate," he said.
"In the first 10 minutes or so, I actually thought Liverpool were going to cause us problems. But we got into our stride, and the first goal is always key, but the second, particularly, is what killed it off.
"From that point on, the second half is pretty much a formality, but you have to keep your clean sheet and remain professional, so it's a fantastic game for us."
Reflecting on recent setbacks, Cook highlighted how the result felt like a return to form after frustrating defeats by Everton and AEK Larnaca.
"If you look at the unbeaten run we had of 19 games, we ended up losing to Everton and even that, we led that game after 70 minutes and ended up conceding twice - the second of which came in stoppage time. Then we had the unexpected defeat against AEK Larnaca in the Conference League.
"So just to score two goals in the first half and get that off your back, it was a nice change of pace and then obviously to get the third and keep the clean sheet, it puts us in good spirits for this game against Brentford and if we can pick up three points there, then all of a sudden things are looking rosy in the garden once again."
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Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesAlthough Liverpool's starting 11 against Crystal Palace on Wednesday included 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha and 18-year-old midfielders Trey Nyoni and Kieran Morrison, the line-up also included seven full internationals.
Slot opted for three central defenders, with Scotland's Andy Robertson on the left, England's Joe Gomez in the middle and Japan's Wataru Endo on the right.
Both full-backs have also represented their country too, with left-back Milos Kerkez a regular for Hungary, while Calvin Ramsay has played for Scotland.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner felt it was "disrespectful" to suggest Liverpool had fielded a weakened team and believed his side deserved all the credit.
"It was Arne Slot's decision and we never care what other teams are doing," said the Eagles boss. "I've seen Joe Gomez play for England, win the Champions League, seen Wataru Endo I don't know how many games for Japan.
"I've seen Alexis Mac Allister, he won the World Cup as a starter, Kerkez moved for £40m, [Federico] Chiesa plays for the [Italy] national team, Ngumoha has shown he can score goals in the Premier League.
"It was still a good team and everyone is a member of the Liverpool squad. I was never good enough to be in the Liverpool squad. Maybe it was not the strongest team, but still a very good Liverpool side."
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesThe EFL has known since the revised format for the three European competitions was agreed by Uefa that their flagship cup competition was going to be affected.
It is why, for the past two seasons, the third round has had to be split over two weeks to prevent clubs in the Champions League and Europa League from playing each other.
Now, the secondary element of the changes has revealed itself.
The week allocated for the EFL Cup quarter-finals - beginning 15 December - is also the 'exclusive week' for the Conference League.
Following their victory at Liverpool, Crystal Palace now find themselves double-booked.
Uefa competitions take priority, so Palace's final Europa Conference League first phase game with Finnish side KuPS will go ahead on Thursday, 18 December, regardless.
But what happens to their EFL Cup quarter-final against Arsenal?
Aside from the allocated week and the week commencing 12 January, when the semi-final first leg is due to take place, Arsenal have a match in every midweek to the beginning of February. If they find themselves in the Champions League play-offs, they might not have one until April - after the final has been played.
This gives the EFL a massive headache.
Does it tell Palace they have to play twice in the same midweek - so Tuesday and Thursday? Does it try to squeeze it into the days just before Christmas, which would mean either Palace playing twice in three days or on Christmas Eve? Or does it have another plan?
It will be fascinating to see how this unfolds.
Crystal Palace are considering making a move for 30-year-old Manchester City and Netherlands defender Nathan Ake next summer. (Teamtalk), external
Image source, PA MediaCrystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after a 3-0 win at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup:
"A good win today. It took us 15 minutes to be in the game - we did well, scored nice goals and controlled the game. I don't know how often this happens when you play the champion three times within three months, and you win three times. So, credit to the players."
On Liverpool's team: "We didn't know who they were going to play. Andy Robertson, Endo, Kerkez and Mac Allister. Mac Allister is a world champion and yes, a few young players. Rio Ngumoha has shown already he can score goals.
"In the first 15 minutes we didn't do well, we had the feeling we were still in the hotel beds. We played slowly into the game, we scored nice goals, the performance was OK, but it was not a great performance."
Only eight teams remain in the Carabao Cup and the draw for the quarter-finals has been made.
Holders Newcastle United, who beat Tottenham in their fourth-round tie on Wednesday, have been paired with Fulham in the last eight.
All four ties are scheduled to take place during week commencing 15 December.
Arsenal v Crystal Palace
Cardiff City v Chelsea
Manchester City v Brentford
Newcastle v Fulham
Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist at Anfield
Image source, PA MediaCrystal Palace have now beaten Liverpool three times in three months - having defeated Arne Slot's side on penalties in the Community Shield in August and then won 2-1 in the league at Selhurst Park last month.
The Eagles have never reached the final of this competition, losing in the semi-finals on four occasions, most recently in 2001 - although they had never won the FA Cup or Community Shield before and have picked up both in a six-month golden spell in the club's history.
After Ismaila Sarr's first-half double, they were happy to defend in numbers and let Liverpool have the majority of possession, with the hosts, despite noisy backing from their fans, not testing goalkeeper Walter Benitez in the second half.
Any hope the Liverpool supporters had of fighting back ended when Amara Nallo was sent off only 12 minutes after coming on for bringing down Justin Devenny.
The excellent Yeremy Pino then gave the scoreline a flattering feel with a third goal in the 88th minute as the Eagles fans joyfully mocked the hosts by chanting "can we play you every week?"
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Liverpool's performance
What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?
Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies
Arne Slot has rotated his Liverpool squad, with 10 changes from the side that began the 3-2 loss at Brentford at the weekend.
Milos Kerkez is the only one to stay in the team, which includes 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha and 18-year-old midfielders Trey Nyoni and Kieran Morrison.
Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman makes his first competitive start for the Reds following his summer move from Preston.
Captain Marc Guehi starts in defence for Crystal Palace, who have not changed their side as much as their opponents.
Walter Benitez is in goal in place of Dean Henderson, while Eddie Nketiah starts up front, with Jean-Philippe Mateta among the substitutes.
There are five Carabao Cup games on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Kick-off times 19:45 GMT unless stated
Arsenal v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2
Liverpool v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Swansea v Manchester City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3
Wolves v Chelsea
Newcastle v Tottenham (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Follow all of the action and reaction here
You can also listen to today's Radio 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Brighton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Crystal Palace", for instance.
Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup round of 16 game against Liverpool at Anfield (19:45 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Glasner confirmed defender Chris Richards will miss the trip to Anfield with "a little bit of an issue with his calf" but added that "all the others are fine and recovered well".
Asked if Richards' injury will keep him out of Saturday's visit of Brentford, Glasner said: "I don't think so at the moment, but we don't take any risks because Chris didn't play against AEK Larnaca – we rested him for that game – so it's not that his load is high. Let's see – I can't tell you more at the moment."
Glasner also confirmed Jaydee Canvot and Walter Benitez will start against Liverpool: "It's not a gift – they deserve it. Jaydee, I spoke to him and said I don't care about [his error against Larnaca last week], it's part of football. He won a lot of duels, and he's doing well in training. We trust him, and that's why he will start tomorrow in the back three. Walter is the same. He's doing so well in training, and he deserves to get some minutes as well."
Asked about the future of Marc Guehi, following links with Bayern Munich, Glasner said the defender "can play for every club in the world".
On Sunday's defeat to Arsenal: "The players showed at the Emirates that they are fit and they could try to get the equaliser until the final whistle, so it looks positive."
On Arne Slot's side and their recent form: "A little bit more question marks, we don't know which they are playing. Usually in the EFL Cup they would rotate quite a lot. They have a few doubts with injuries but the way they are playing won't really change."
Reflecting on Palace's form since the international break, Glasner said: "We have taken one point, that is fact. Not the best output but we didn't drop our performances compared to the games before. We watched the Arsenal game back and we gave them two finishes, two shots from open play over 100 minutes at the Emirates. Yes they were better than we were in set-pieces, that's why they won the game."
Follow all of Tuesday's Carabao Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Alex Pewter
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesOver four days, it was a pair of 1-0 defeats for Oliver Glasner and Crystal Palace - two identical scorelines, coming from differing performances. Curiously, the team appeared more comfortable away from home against the Premier League leaders than at home against the travelling team from Cyprus.
The struggle to break down low blocks or to dominate when heavily in possession has been an underlying issue for this Palace team, as was the case on Thursday. It is a scenario that Glasner has not often faced, aside from the early rounds of cup competitions.
As a team that thrives in transition, there will be few match-ups in the Premier League where the team's base 3-4-2-1 setup is not effective, or at least competitive. Even in battles with similar styles, there are often opportunities to counter.
The question is whether fans should be concerned if the likes of AEK Larnaca can successfully defend and frustrate the "stronger" team on paper on occasion. Or, in fact, if it will be an issue that will dissipate should the team make it to the knockout stages of the Conference League, where the balance of play is likely to be more equal.
As a fresh element to the Palace fixture calendar, the Thursday games could act as a palate cleanser with victory, should the team find itself sandwiched between difficult league fixtures.
However, it is possible that losing the opening home fixture in that competition meant the loss to Arsenal only compounded the frustration that may otherwise not have been there.
This continues to be a season of discovery, one where Palace must raise their game to that of favourites in one competition, whilst continuing to play with an underdog spirit in the other. Luckily, there is still time for the team to adjust to that dual reality.
Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external
Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal teenager Dan Casey's move to Crystal Palace is now off.
The 18-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder, centre forward or wide attacker, was set to join the Eagles' under-21 setup.
However, no agreement has been able to be reached between the clubs over compensation.
Sources told BBC Sport that a deal was close and that there was the possibility of a a sell-on clause to be included.
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
Here are some of your comments:
Arsenal fans
Tino: Arsenal can be more clinical, particularly in the final third. Gyokeres can time his runs to score goals. When the dust settles, Arsenal will be scoring more goals in matches like these. In the second half, they appeared to be made of the right timber.
Gerry: Tough game from a good Palace team. Arsenal are missing some midfield creativity in the past couple of games, but it was a good, resilient performance in defence!
Robin: Efficient, if unspectacular - except for one piece of brilliance from Eze. This is what we needed today against a well-organised Palace defence. It could have been more, but you can't expect to win every game 4-0.
Alexi: Such a crucial win! Eze looked electric and smooth on the ball. These are the games that we would normally lose, but now with the squad that we have, we look unbeatable.
Crystal Palace fans
Pedro: Disappointing, but not surprising. This group of players have performed brilliantly, achieving more than any others. Going on "full gas" has left them tired and ragged. A temporary blip. We'll bounce back.
Al: Another game with only one shot on target. The bounce has gone out of the last two performances, and late substitutions did not help. The team is looking tired. Rotation needed - Nketiah for Mateta and Esse or Uche for Pino.
Steve: Arsenal were there for the taking but once again Palace were not clinical in the box. Sarr and Pino were distinctly average. Mateta ran and ran, but failed to hold the ball up. Wharton and Kamada spent a lot of time chasing shadows, and need to contribute with goals.
Pundits Danny Murphy and Theo Walcott join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Barcelona have tabled an offer in the region of 30m euros (£26.2m) for 29-year-old Colombia and Crystal Palace right-back Daniel Munoz. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Alex Howell
Football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesCrystal Palace are taking part in European competition for the first time this season and this result will add to the concern about how the squad will deal with the extra midweek games.
Arsenal are a challenge for anyone and the Palace players visibly tired as the match reached the latter stages.
Oliver Glasner will have to think how best to rotate his players while the fixture schedule for his team is so congested.
Palace are now without a win in four games in all competitions but it has still been a solid start for them in the Premier League this season, with 13 points from nine games.
Crystal Palace boss spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat away at Arsenal: "Of course there is disappointment about the result. But on the other side I'm pleased with most parts of the performance, especially in the first half. There are many parts of the game I really liked. In one situation we gave them too much. It was a silly foul because [Bukayo] Saka was running away from the goal.
"They [Arsenal] are very good defensively. When you play a team that wants to win the Premier League and Champions League you have to be at the top level.
"I told the players before we arrived 18 or 19 months ago that we lost 5-0 here. I love our ambition. We won the FA Cup and we play European football. The performance was good but we want to improve."
On Palace's hectic schedule after playing in Europe: "No, nothing to do with fatigue. The players are working so hard. Now we support them and encourage them. We accept it [the result] and we will work on our structure."
Palace defender Chris Richards spoke to Sky Sports: "It was a close game in all aspects. Arsenal are a really good team and deserved the win. I think everybody knows how Arsenal are defensively and we needed to take our chances.
"Set-pieces are probably their forte right now. But we went toe-to-toe with the best team in the league.
"We are still positive. We take today on the chin and we keep trying to improve."
Did you know?
Palace have lost back-to-back away Premier League matches – as many as they'd lost in their previous 18 away games combined (W9 D7 L2).
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Arsenal's performance
What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?
Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies
