What isn't clicking for Palace at Selhurst Park?published at 12:25 GMT 25 February
12:25 GMT 25 February
Alex Pewter Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
There is an old cliche about 2-0 leads and the dangers of complacency that come with them. Clearly Oliver Glasner and his team are not aware of this.
The 2-0 victory on Saturday against Fulham was the fourth successive away win by that margin in the Premier League.
This team's efficiency when not playing at Selhurst Park has been stellar. Over the past eight away games, Palace topped the league in points gained - six wins, two draws, and zero defeats - while only conceding three times.
Glasner's issue is that, despite the club-record-breaking nature of this away run, the home form - at least in terms of results - is not living up to that lofty standard. The past eight fixtures at home have yielded only one victory against the worst team in the division and six points in total.
So, what is not clicking for the team at Selhurst Park?
Is it simply that the team is aptly suited to playing more of a counter-attacking style, where the opposition is more likely to play with a higher line? Or is this all a statistical anomaly that is likely to even out?
For fans of expected goals (xG) as a rough guide, the attacking numbers are reasonably even home or away over this eight-game sample.
In attack, Palace averaged 1.52 xG at home and 1.59 xG away per game. The team has been more wasteful at Selhurst, underperforming their xG total by 3.12, according to Opta.
However, the difference defensively is stark from home to away. Thanks partly to Arsenal's 5-1 win in December, the team is -5.41 xG versus goals conceded.
They are vastly overperforming on the road, +6.37 against the chances conceded. The team has also been very good at preventing those chances from getting on target, and Dean Henderson has 'prevented' 2.86 goals for those that have.
It is a riddle for Glasner and co to solve, perhaps. Yet, it would seem that the bad luck at home should eventually swing around – something the larger section of the fanbase in attendance for those games will be desperate for.
Sutton's predictions: Crystal Palace v Aston Villapublished at 08:53 GMT 25 February
08:53 GMT 25 February
It looks like fifth place will get you into the Champions League next season and that is the most interesting race at the top now the title is pretty much done and dusted.
Half of the Premier League will feel they have a chance of making it and Aston Villa are definitely one of those sides in the hunt.
I am not sure Villa will pick up three points here, though.
Crystal Palace don't score many goals at home - just 12 in 13 league games this season - and they don't win that many there either, just two so far in fact.
But at the same time, Villa are not great on the road - they have only won once away in the Premier League since the middle of October.
I don't like to mention it but I was exactly right about Villa beating Chelsea 2-1 at the weekend, and I feel like they are a much easier team to predict than Palace are.
People are getting excited about what Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio will do in Unai Emery's side but I think this is a tough game for Villa, especially with the form Jean-Philippe Mateta is in for Palace.
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa: Did you know?published at 08:09 GMT 25 February
08:09 GMT 25 February
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Crystal Palace have won five of their past six Premier League home games against Aston Villa and beat them 5-0 at Selhurst Park last season.
The reverse fixture in November finished 2-2 – Villa have beaten the Eagles at least once in the past seven top-flight campaigns in which they have met.
Glasner on Wharton's return, Munoz and facing Emery's Villapublished at 14:49 GMT 24 February
14:49 GMT 24 February
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Selhurst Park (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Glasner hinted that midfielder Adam Wharton, who recently returned from a three-month injury lay-off, could make his first league start since a 1-0 win against Tottenham last October.
He said: "We have to think about what's best for the Aston Villa game, how they play and finding the perfect fit. And also, maybe some players are a little fatigued. Adam is doing well, doing fine, and there's a possibility that he starts the game."
The Palace boss, who oversaw a 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, said: "After winning, the mood is good. Everybody is feeling well. Players are fit with no injuries, so it's all good."
He said the formation he employs at Palace works mainly because he has a very attacking right wing-back in Daniel Munoz, who scored his third league goal of the season in the derby victory at Craven Cottage at the weekend.
On setting a club record by winning four consecutive away league games, Glasner said: "Every single win was deserved. It's not that we were lucky at all. The players did well. It was great commitment from them to get the results." But he warned his players that the focus should be on performance rather than past results when they face a "great challenge" against Aston Villa.
Palace have six victories and four draws in their 13 away games but have only won twice at Selhurst Park. Asked why they have failed to replicate their away form at home, Glasner added: "We would lead the league table if we also win every game at home. It is the Premier League. Every game is decided by two or three chances."
On facing Villa, the Austrian said: "They play with a clear structure in and out of possession and are very threatening on set-pieces, like they did in the win against Chelsea." He described Villa as a "high-quality team" but believes his side have skills to create chances and score goals against them.
Glasner was full of praise for Villa counterpart Unai Emery. He said: "It's big credit to their manager. He is a great manager. Wherever he has managed, you could see how he wants to play and he has been quite successful. Villa are eighth now, but maybe they expected a little bit more. They would want to be in the Champions League positions and it will be important for them to win at Selhurst to reduce the gap to the top four."
Will: Probably the worst performance of the season - just after one of our best. This lack of consistency is going to get us nowhere. We need to be better for Wolves.
PJ: Shockingly poor. Hard to imagine it was the same starting XI as played against Nottingham Forest as we were utterly bereft of ideas. Too ponderous and predictable. Palace completely dominated in every sense but especially tactically. Marco Silva is far too slow to identify when our tactics are not working. It needed changing after 20, not 80 minutes. When will our players realise that trying to complete 95 passes in an attempt to score is futile?
John: We were so poor that I struggle to remember a single purposeful attempt at scoring. Palace outplayed and outclassed us completely. Too many failing to put in a shift. Too many big price tags? Many Fulham fans must have thought we were going somewhere at last. The upcoming games are ominous: Wolves (who've thrashed us already); Manchester United in the cup, Brighton, Tottenham and Arsenal.
Andrew: As good as Fulham were last week, they were dreadful here. No answer to Palace's pressing and nobody willing to shoot.
Palace fans
Gary: Another great away day. Eberechi Eze was more like his old self. Great goal by Daniel Munoz - and by Jean-Philippe Mateta. Such a shame it was just offside. Every player was fantastic. We need to start winning at home, starting against Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Steve: I thought this was our best performance of the season. Not sure what Oliver Glasner is putting in Will Hughes's coffee but what a season he is having - man of the match for me.
Roger: A convincing victory. The result was never in doubt. Huge contrast to the home game against Fulham earlier in the season. This squad are capable of a strong finish to the season.
Jackb: Probably one of best performances of the season. Everyone on the pitch was great. I'm loving our away form. We just need to really click at home now and who knows what can happen this season?
'Unsung Hughes shapes victory'published at 08:26 GMT 24 February
08:26 GMT 24 February
Chris Latchem Final Score reporter
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It must be tough being Will Hughes. So often he turns out full-blooded, lung-busting, pit-bull performances for Crystal Palace and, every week when he tunes in to Match of the Day, all his mates share around the praise.
I guess that is the nature of playing for one of 'the other 14'.
If Palace score goals, inevitably the highlights focus on Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze. If it is a defensive showing, captain Marc Guehi often gets the glow.
On Saturday, Hughes shaped the game against Fulham - and therefore the victory.
He crunched into tackles to set the tone, was key in transition to send the stars flying forward - and when Palace eased off the boil as they closed in on a fourth straight Premier League away win, he rollicked his team-mates to up their intensity.
Without him, the win would have been nowhere near as comfortable.
While he might not feature in many highlight reels, he was given the ultimate honour by those who recognise exactly what he serves up week in, week out.
The travelling Palace fans chanted his name as he was given a well-earned rest late into the game.
Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace: Daniel Munoz continues to impress for Eaglespublished at 19:07 GMT 22 February
19:07 GMT 22 February
Adwaidh Rajan BBC Sport journalist
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With the goal that sealed their 2-0 victory at Fulham on Saturday, Daniel Munoz continued his fine form in both defence and attack for Crystal Palace, who are aiming back-to-back top-half finishes in the Premier League this season.
It was the Colombia international's third goal involvement in four league matches, having bagged assists for Oliver Glasner's side in the defeat to Brentford and the 2-0 win at Manchester United.
Munoz, who also scored his first Premier League goal in a last-gasp 1-1 draw against Newcastle United in November, was also on the scoresheet in a 2-2 draw against champions Manchester City.
Glasner's arrival at Selhurst Park has greatly helped the 28-year-old wing-back, who joined from Genk in the 2024 January transfer window.
Except for the visit to Brighton when he was suspended for accumulating five yellow cards, he has played every minute for the Eagles in the league starting with 21 October's 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
While Tyrick Mitchell and Ben Chilwell are set to battle for the left wing-back role at the club for the remainder of the season, there is no doubt it will be the Colombian who will be assigned those duties along Palace's opposite wing for the foreseeable future.
Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace: Key statspublished at 17:41 GMT 22 February
17:41 GMT 22 February
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Crystal Palace have won four consecutive top-flight away games for the first time. It is also the first time the Eagles have ever won four consecutive away league games without conceding.
No team have kept more away clean sheets in the Premier League this season than the Eagles (6 - level with Liverpool). Six is their second most in a single campaign in the competition, after 1994-95 (7).
'A great performance and result'published at 17:27 GMT 22 February
17:27 GMT 22 February
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Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, talking to BBC Match of the Day: "All of the credit goes to the players again, they worked so hard for this win and they were very disciplined. We didn't give them clear chances.
"We were very compacted and waited for the chances. We defended as a team - it was a great performance and result.
"We don't know the reason for winning more away than at home. It is the same approach. I think it is important that we don't always talk about winning at home. Whenever we're talking we are speaking about increasing our chances of winning and it is the same approach at home. That is the only thing we do.
"If we think 'we have to win, we have to win' you're not thinking about what you're doing on the pitch. You're not disciplined, we know we can score goals all over the pitch and we can be very tough to play against - especially when we defend like we did today."
Sutton's predictions: Fulham v Crystal Palacepublished at 11:23 GMT 22 February
11:23 GMT 22 February
I find both these teams impossible to predict so, let's face it, anything could happen here.
Crystal Palace lost to Everton last week but actually played pretty well.
I talked about how Fulham have struggled at home recently but then they went and beat Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage.
My instinct tells me to go for a draw but I actually think Fulham will make it back-to-back home wins - so Palace will probably end up taking the points.
Glasner on Eze fitness, Fulham's Traore and home recordpublished at 15:17 GMT 21 February
15:17 GMT 21 February
Sean Byrne BBC Sport researcher
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Fulham (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On Eberechi Eze's return: "It was a good week for him personally, and he's getting better and better with his foot. I think he's ready to start."
Glasner confirmed the rest of the team news was "the same as last week": "All players are fit, everyone trained the whole week. It's good."
When asked how his side would handle Fulham winger Adama Traore, he said: "Both Tyrick Mitchell and Ben Chilwell have the quality to defend Adama Traore. Even with his pace and power, then he crosses, and then we have to defend the box against Raul Jimenez, Emile Smith Rowe... So it's not just him. It's a team effort."
Glasner celebrated one year with the club on Wednesday, but he said: "I had no time to reflect on Wednesday. Wednesday is always a busy day preparing for the weekend. There was a lot to do this week and, to be honest, I'm always looking to the next game, which is more important than the anniversary."
On his side having a better record away than at home, he said: "We talked about it with the players. I remember when I joined it was an issue that Crystal Palace always conceded late goals. I said OK, let's not talk about it because then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, and this is the same. Our approach is always the same, but it does look like we make more mistakes at home."
Gossip: Chelsea want to re-sign £70m-rated Guehi published at 07:49 GMT 20 February
07:49 GMT 20 February
Chelsea are determined to beat off competition from Premier League rivals to sign Crystal Palace's £70m-rated England defender Marc Guehi. The 24-year-old joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021. (Mirror, external)
Leicester City and Crystal Palace are watching Midtjylland and Guinea-Bissau forward Franculino Dju, 20, who came through Benfica's academy. (Bold - in Danish, external)
Glasner 'a massive upgrade' but 'stymied by middling recruitment'published at 13:42 GMT 19 February
13:42 GMT 19 February
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We asked for your views on Oliver Glasner's first year at Selhurst Park.
We wanted to know your favourite moments and what you would like to see him achieve in his next year at the club.
Here are some of your comments:
Michael: A breath of fresh air compared with the turgid displays during Roy Hodgson final era. It has been a delight to watch fast-flowing, attacking football under Glasner, and to see younger players get a chance and visibly improve. I wish we could be more aggressive and clinical - we don't score enough given the chances we get - but that's not his fault. The board needs to continue backing Glasner. He has obviously got the players and fans behind him. I hope we can replicate how we performed at the end of last season and win something.
Matt: He is a massive upgrade on any of the managers we have had since promotion. He has us in a clear style of play. After losing Michael Olise in the summer, questions were raised but he has answered them. If - and it is a big if - we back him in the summer, a comfortable top-10 finish and even maybe pushing for Europe would be nice. But, as always, 17th is fine as well!
Sam: In general, this has been a very positive year. Glasner has helped raise our ambitions and he clearly wants to fight for every match. His changes during matches are generally far more effective than any manager we have had for years. It is a shame this season has been affected by middling recruitment and unfortunate injuries, but we are still in with a shout of a top-half finish. A cup win would take the club to the next level!
Tom: I have been very happy with Glasner's management of the team. Our away form has been phenomenal under him, but there is definite room for improvement when it comes to playing at home. I think we will improve next season in this respect. If we strengthen in the summer, I think we will have a very good squad.
Stephen: He is without doubt one the best managers I've seen at Crystal Palace. His progress has clearly been stymied by late signings, causing a poor start to this season and a failure to properly replace Olise. The team is still inconsistent as a result, and it must be incredibly frustrating for him. There are constant rumours about Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton and others being sold, which must be very unsettling. He is certainly a manager who could take us to Europe, but he needs to be properly backed to do so, otherwise I can see him leaving for a club where he will be.