Crystal Palace

Since his £30m move from Arsenal, Eddie Nketiah has yet to find the net, or provide an assist, in the Premier League for Crystal Palace.

Is playing in a more unfamiliar wider position - which last season were occupied by Eberechi Eza and Michael Olise, who left for Bayern Munich - getting the best out of him?

Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown tells The Football News Show that the Englishman's work ethic is impressive but he would be more suited to a central role.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

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In 30 previous Premier League meetings between Crystal Palace and Liverpool, 14 have been won by the away side (47%).

This is the highest away win ratio of any of the 109 fixtures to be played 30 or more times in history.

Newcastle United are likely to revisit their pursuit of England centre-back Marc Guehi in January, with the expectation that Crystal Palace will be willing to sell the 24-year-old. (Mail - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Interim England boss Lee Carsley has announced his squad for this month's Nations League games with Greece and Finland.

Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke is the headline inclusion, returning to international contention for the first time in seven years.

The 27-year-old has three goals in six appearances for Spurs since moving from Bournemouth in the summer.

Read the full story

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Crystal Palace's start to the season has been far from ideal.

The Eagles sit in the relegation zone after failing to pick up a win in any of their opening six Premier League matches.

They welcome top of the table Liverpool to Selhurst Park at the weekend and, with the contrasting way both teams are playing, a result looks unlikely.

There are many questions that manager Oliver Glasner must find answers to.

How does he get the best out of Eddie Nketiah and fit him into his 3-4-3 system? The striker has been played in the 'number 10' role that was occupied by Michael Olise.

Nketiah is sharp and has the technical ability to deal with what is being asked of him, but the strength of his game is finishing and to do that he needs to be in the box.

Glasner could tweak the system so Nketiah naturally lines up in partnership with Jean-Philippe Mateta and move Eberechi Eze into a central number 10 role.

The manager also needs to find a best position for Daichi Kamada. The midfielder has been moved about the side and has played in the forward positions as well as a deep lying midfielder role.

That shows the manager is not sure where he fits best in the team at the moment.

Supporters will not be expecting Palace to beat the Reds at the weekend but a positive performance to give them hope heading into the international break would be welcome.

Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, 20 , is high on Manchester City's list should they try to replace injured Spaniard Rodri, 28, in January. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Alex Pewter
Fan writer

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In a game billed as the 'not-quite John Textor derby', Crystal Palace's wantaway investor may no longer hold split allegiances over this fixture after a failed takeover bid on Merseyside.

At least he still has plenty in common with his current English club - neither can get the job done at Goodison Park.

It has been almost a decade to the week since a Neil Warnock-led team last won at that historic ground, 3-2 on that occasion, raising the question of why Palace fans would enter this match each season expecting something different. Fool me once, fool me 11 times, seemingly.

It is a true bogey team-like outcome to mystify statisticians. By contrast, Palace has managed an unlikely four victories on the red side of Liverpool in the time since.

With Ipswich's draw on Sunday dropping Oliver Glasner's team into the relegation zone, it only re-emphasised the importance carried into Saturday's match, cursed stadium or not.

The bare facts make for grim reading: this is the joint second-worst start to a campaign in 12 seasons, equalling that of Ian Holloway's freshly promoted squad. It only surpasses the 'Frank de Boer' year, which saw defeat in all six games.

While doubtful any fans would view the current situation as perilously as those other two, the team has yet to put two consecutive halves of decent football together in the league.

Unforced errors leading to turnovers and goals - not to take away from the Dwight McNeil finish this week - and a lack of chances created in open play in the team's base formation mean Glasner has a lot of work to do.

Should this fixture take place again next season, we can only hope that the Bramley Docks are a kinder host to Crystal Palace.

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

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

George: First half lacked quality. Second half was the opposite - intensity, desire and cutting edge going forwards from Ndiaye, McNeil, Harrison, DCL. Back four looked much more solid. Unsung hero was Young - kept Eze very quiet.

Stuart: Having been to all of Everton’s Premier League home games this season I think the manager’s main problem has been leaving substitutions either too late or targeting the wrong players apart from Saturday where, for once, Dyche got it right by replacing Lindstrom with Harrison at half time - it turned the game.

Magnus: Scrappy win but still a win. One soft goal for each team and a great strike by McNeil made the difference. Hope this together with the Friedkin takeover creates stability and confidence so that the players can play at the level they have previously shown they are capable of.

Greg: First half was awful and Lindstrom in particular was abysmal. I would have sacked Dyche at half time. Second half was better, well slightly but we're still inviting teams on. It puts unnecessary pressure on Pickford and the back four. Tarkowski looked a lot more like his old self probably because Branthwaite was back to bring a bit of calmness.

Crystal Palace fans

Paul: In attack we have been simply abysmal. Mateta only ever scores when it is put on a plate for him, still he often misses. Nketiah shouldn't be playing right wing, he provides zero width and should be playing as a striker. Eze today worried me, zero confidence and flair. Never understand why we let Edouard go, he was the scapegoat yet a great player. Lacroix only positive.

Gavin: Disappointing result. I am becoming concerned about selections. Lerma is not a defender and with Chalobah on bench, it did not make sense. Also Nketiah is a number nine - playing him out of position does not help. Kamada totally at sea. Glasner needs to get a grip of this situation.

Christopher: Very poor. I am not sure Glasner and I were watching the same game. Lack of ideas, poor defending and awful at defending set pieces - this is the story of our season so far. Liverpool next and I am very concerned that we’ll be in the bottom three this time next week - another tough season ahead.

Bernard: Glasner will be gone if we don't beat Liverpool. Spent money and he has made us worse. Flattered to deceive at the end of last season as he had nothing to lose. We were heading down anyway so he gained respect for those efforts. Seems lost and doesn't know his best team. Poor performances all round.

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven 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:

• Arsenal 4-2 Leicester

• Wolves 1-2 Liverpool

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Everton have lost just one of their last 20 Premier League matches against Crystal Palace (W10 D9), a 3-1 loss at Selhurst Park in December 2021. It is the first time that the Toffees have won a match after conceding the opening goal for the first time since October 2022, ending a 35-match streak in the process.

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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking to BBC Sport about today's loss: "Big disappointment, especially because I think we lost the game with mistakes.

"Over 70-75 minutes we controlled the game but you must be focused all game. It is a big strength of Everton's in set-plays. They do it well and we defended it most of the time really well. It was always the second phase. It is important to always keep your focus high.

"We tried everything, we changed the system, brought on all our offensive players. They defended with 10 players around their box so we didn't have a lot of space so it was difficult. Today we couldn't score the equaliser. If you concede two goals it's not so easy to get a point or to win."

On still waiting for a first league win this season: "We know it when we look at the table. Maybe it is a welcome back to reality. Maybe we were flying too high after a great finish to the season. The Premier League is a fight."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Everton’s performance, external

What did you make of Palace’s display?, external

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

Follow reaction and read the match report

Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

All kick-off times BST

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BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries:

• Arsenal v Leicester

• Wolves v Liverpool

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week six, he takes on Maximo Park singer Paul Smith, whose latest album, Stream Of Life, is out on Friday.

Everton host Palace at 15:00 on Saturday.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Crystal Palace are a very capable side on their day, but they have not been playing well enough recently.

Everton boss Sean Dyche definitely needs a good result, and I am slightly worried about the atmosphere at Goodison Park if it turns ugly for whatever reason, and how the players handle that.

I keep going for Everton home wins, and being wrong, so I am not making that mistake again. They keep taking the lead but it feels like they need to get Jarrad Branthwaite fit again if they are going to hold out.

I actually fancy Everton here but without Branthwaite at the back I am not so sure they have got a clean sheet in them and, on that basis, I am going to say Palace will get a point.

Smith's prediction: 1-1

Palace have looked bright on occasions without beating anyone, while Everton have gone in front in games and done well without seeing it out either - they have an attacking threat but they are fragile defensively and have completely crumbled in a couple of games.

Their confidence will be low, so I’d say Palace have a good chance of nicking a win, but then neither team have looked very convincing to me.

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 at Everton (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On who will and will not be in the squad: "Matheus Franca and Trevoh Chalobah are available, but Franca will not be in the squad after it was his first complete week with us. After almost six months, it would be unfair to him to be in the squad but he feels well and he has no problems. Trevoh will be with the squad, but we lost Chris Richards this week. He is not available for the next week as he has a hamstring injury. The other players are available. It’s Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad who can’t play, but the others had a good week."

• Glasner was happy about the numbers in training this week: "This was the first week I have had a complete squad in training. I have experienced a lot in football but never been in this situation with a first training week with a full squad at this stage in September. Against Manchester United we showed patterns that we don’t want to show. It is my job to be clear with the players and we used this first week together - we increased the training intensity, we increased what we demanded from the players. It gives us confidence that we can fight to get the results. We will need this at Goodison Park against a very physical and direct team."

• Glasner was asked why Rob Holding was not included in a squad photo this week: "Rob is training with the under-21s. He will stay there and that's why he was not in the picture."

• The Palace manager explained why Adam Wharton has had four different midfield partners since the season started: "It's not to find the right mix - it’s about adjusting to what’s going on with players. Once, Will Hughes was a six we had Daichi Kamada at the beginning but then we needed him playing in the ten. It’s just a natural part. We have several options and we also decided to rotate a little bit when we had three games."

• On Everton: "They have a very clear style. They are very direct, very physical, Calvert Lewin as a target player and quick wingers. They are crossing the ball from everywhere and very threatening in set-plays. We know they have some weaknesses in their defence and will give you some space - but we have to neutralise their strengths and also use our opportunities to score goals."

All the key lines from Friday's Premier League news conferences, plus the rest of the day's football news

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There has been a lot of conversation this week about "dark arts" in football following the draw between Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday.

Realistically, everyone who has watched football for longer than one game has seen things they would perceive as "dark arts"; whether it is a player always going down winning free-kicks to take the sting out of the game, kicking the ball into row Z when there was no multi-ball system or time-wasting on goal-kicks.

These are things we see all the time but our perception of it is dependent on the context of a game. You always see some version of it somewhere, and you hope your team would be doing the same thing if in the same situation - because why should you do something that would benefit the opposition you are against?

It is the same as going down a bit more easily to win penalties - some people will say "this guy is a cheat", but then on the other side of their mouth, if it is something that could benefit them, they say "he has tried too hard to stay up, he needed to go down there".

You can have rulings, Ifab can get involved to change this and that, but there will always be a way to push the rules to their limits.

What we saw with Arsenal in that game, where David Raya sat down to get some treatment while the teams gathered, we have seen those moments before. It is not just new to Arsenal - other teams do it.

It is always based on certain moments. You do get more frustrated if it happens against you, but when you need to do it, you encourage people to do it. That is one of the beauties of football - the way you see things is always going to be down to perception, context and just whether you think it is benefiting you or not.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Phil Cartwright

Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi would jump at the chance to sign for Liverpool and not long-term admirers Newcastle United. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Jay Crame
Fan writer

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Losing two important players from a starting line-up is going to have an effect on any club, let alone Palace.

The decision to sell Michael Olise was always on the cards and seeing him flourish for Bayern Munich goes to show the talent he is. The problem is, how do you replace such a player?

A club of Palace's stature are never going to bring in a replacement of the same calibre. We knew this would be the case as soon as Olise's stock increased game by game.

As for Joachim Andersen, that was a surprise departure. However, selling a player of his age for the fee that was paid, it is understandable why it was enticing.

It became clear that it would be Andersen or Guehi leaving and however much fans may not like it, that was perhaps a no-brainer with the club not willing to match the wages Fulham were offering the Dane.

Replacing a centre-back that has formed an excellent partnership with Guehi was also going to be tough, but Palace do their homework. The problem is, it often takes players time to settle, particularly when arriving from leagues outside of the UK.

We were exceptionally lucky with Adam Wharton and Daniel Munoz in January as they both hit the ground running.

The new additions this summer will take time to adjust to the Premier League. But, they are deemed good enough by the club to have been brought in so patience is the key while they are integrated into the Oliver Glasner system.

Find more from Jay Crame at The Eagles Beak, external

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Crystal Palace finished last season in fine form but are winless in their first five games of the new Premier League campaign.

It has left Oliver Glasner's side sitting 16th in the table with three points - just two more than those in the relegation zone.

BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha feels the club are the "odd ones out" down that end of the table, so how are you feeling about the start the team have made, Eagles fans?

Make your selection here

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Crystal Palace are one of six teams yet to win in the Premier League this season - but is there are a concern they could be involved in a battle against relegation?

When you see the way they finished last season, you would say no, but then last season they finished with Michael Olise and Joachim Andersen being a big part of what they were doing. They are two key players who are not there any more.

They have brought in others and are trying to balance things out.

It is a bit of a concern, but you still believe they have the quality. It feels like one of those where when they get that first win, it might not guarantee a second one the week after, but the belief in themselves will be there again.

They do feel a bit different to the three promoted sides, for example, or to an Everton where there are bigger things weighing the club down beyond just the football itself.

Palace feel like the odd one out down there.

How are you feeling about the start? Make a choice over here

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Phil Cartwright