Crystal Palace

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Any fan of a team outside the very wealthiest few knows the feeling well. You want your star players to play well but sometimes not too well.

Everton fans will be worried about Jarrad Branthwaite, but Crystal Palace fans will be petrified of losing their golden boys with Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze hitting top form and fitness just when all the top clubs are considering their next big investments.

Olise and Eze haven’t played together much recently due to injuries, but when they do they are close to unstoppable. Against West Ham they each had a goal and an assist.

Was Oliver Glasner tempted to haul them off after 30 minutes when they were already 4-0 up, just to keep them partially hidden from prying eyes. He knows that the vultures have spotted them and are circling. Players who score, create, excite, can go past defenders and can do all this in the Premier League, while working hard into the bargain, are gold dust. Enjoy them both while you can, Eagles fans.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra newsletter

Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise were the stars of Crystal Palace's 5-2 win over West Ham at the weekend.

Oliver Glasner and the Eagles supporters will be hoping that the forwards can recreate the performance against Newcastle United on Wednesday.

The victory over the Hammers was just the third time the pair have started together in the Premier League this year - and Palace have won all of those matches, against Sheffield United, Liverpool and the Hammers.

A lot of the talk after the game was about how long the club could hold on to the forwards, who are definitely destined for the top of the game.

Manchester City looked at Eze last summer but purchased Matheus Nunes from Wolves instead.

It would take a big fee to take one of the players from the club, with both valued at over £60m.

The Eagles would obviously keep both if they can but are accepting that this summer they may be tested with bids from sides in the Premier League's elite.

Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Crystal Palace host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Glasner confirmed Rob Holding has picked up a new injury and will miss Wednesday's match and said "it is something with his hamstring, so we don't know how long it will take".

• Having only just returned from injury, he said it is "frustrating" for Holding and added: "Sometimes it happens, especially if you are not used to team training or your body isn't used to it."

• On recent wins over Liverpool and West Ham: "We showed the players some clips - they did really well. We have to be focused and concentrated all of the time. We showed many, many positive things, and that's what we want to do again."

• He added: "Always play your game, because it makes it much more fun playing like we did for most of the minutes against West Ham - when we controlled the ball, when we had possession, when we moved the ball quickly, when we defended very aggressively and made a lot of pressure."

• On facing an in-form Magpies team: "We know what they want to do. It's again up to us to be ready and to be focused so we are not surprised by what they do, so that we can anticipate what they are doing."

• He added: "As important is what we are doing in our position - move the ball quickly, create chances and force them to defend very well."

• On if he had anticipated his side's recent improvement: "Yes, because we always saw the quality of the players. As soon as we arrived, from the first day, we could see their good working mentality and attitude."

• He said he is "a friend of VAR" but, after recent controversies, he added: "I'm a big friend of transparency. What we all want is clear decisions on the pitch, but if we have the opportunity to use the VAR, let's use it. It's a technical improvement we all decided to get."

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

• Crystal Palace are winless in their past five Premier League meetings with Newcastle United, failing to score in each of the past four.

• Having been unbeaten in Premier League games in London last season (W4 D3), Newcastle have lost three of their five in the capital so far this term. However, their one victory was in their last visit (1-0 at Fulham)

• Palace have lost six of their past nine midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Premier League games (W1 D2), with their only win in this run coming against Sheffield United in January.

• Following victories over Fulham and Tottenham, Newcastle are looking to win three consecutive Premier League games for the second time this season, previously doing so in September. Away from home, they have won three of their past five league games (L2), having won just one of their first 10 (D2 L7).

• When Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta have all started in the Premier League this season, the Eagles have won four of five games (L1), with an average of 2.4 points per game. In contrast, in the 28 games when those three have not all been in the XI, Palace have only won five times (D9 L14), averaging 0.9 points per game.

• Anthony Gordon has 10 goals and eight assists in the Premier League this season, though 83% of these have come in home games.

Crystal Palace are interested in Leicester City and Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, 27, on a free transfer this summer. (Talksport), external

Arsenal and Manchester United have joined the race to sign Crystal Palace and France winger Michael Olise, 22, but face competition from Chelsea, Manchester City and Juventus. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's gossip column

Sunday was a pivotal day for the entirety of Crystal Palace Football Club. In South London, Oliver Glasner delivered his most complete performance as coach, while down in Sussex, Laura Kaminski all but secured a league title and promotion to the WSL with a victory against Lewes.

Successful recruitment is the backbone of any organisation, and the club has made correct calls with both their leading figures.

Glasner, in press conferences, has been quick to emphasise the team over the individual, and the performance on Sunday reflected that.

Of course, the attacking trio of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta deserve the plaudits for their goalscoring and threat. Yet, it was built on a combative performance behind them.

Palace have been one of the final few bastions of a 'British' style of football in the Premier League. It's ironic, given Roy Hodgson's influence on and experience across the continent, but the team almost always lent on a back-four, with a classical interpretation of a centre half.

Injuries have enforced changes at the back. Having seen a central midfielder and a full-back fill in either side of Joachim Andersen in recent games, it redefines what now constitutes a Palace central defender.

Both Chris Richards and Nathaniel Clyne, operating as the wide centre-backs in a three, found themselves able to press into the opposition half aggressively, Richards' halfway line intervention directly leading to the second goal.

In turn, in possession, the underlapping of Clyne from that unfamiliar role, combined with the overlapping Daniel Munoz, turned a potential weakness into a strength down the right flank.

If Palace's head coach prefers to view the bigger picture with his squad, it's clear the fans are quickly learning and buying into the flexibility and nuances of his tactical system.

Alex Pewter, FYP podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

Monday, 22 April marks Earth Day - a day in the international calendar that provides the opportunity to reflect, make change and understand more about sustainability and the impacts of climate change.

Sport and football are not immune to these issues and there has been increasing awareness of their relationship to the environment over the past few years.

Football has a global footprint and, as it continues to grow, it has been subject to questions and criticism over some of the decisions that could hinder efforts in reducing its impact, including expanding Uefa cup competitions and the men's Fifa World Cup.

The effects of adverse weather related to climate change has been increasingly felt, with a study last year showing extreme weather has affected 40% of football players and spectators.

But, football and its fanbase also have an opportunity to be part of the solution, with clubs like Forest Green Rovers showing how the sport's environmental footprint can be reduced.

We have taken a look into some of the key things Crystal Palace are doing to become more sustainable:

• A 'Palace for the Planet' environmental policy is in place where the club's commitments and what has been done so far are set out.

• They have planted 111 trees at the club academy, with more planned.

• Solar panels are being installed at the academy in 2024 which will save nine tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent a year.

• The floodlights at Selhurst Park are 100% LED, concourse lighting is in the process of being all LED and new screens were installed that use less energy than the old panels.

• There is a partnership between the club and a train booking system that allows supporters to book train tickets that plants a tree for every booking at no extra cost to fans.

One important area all Premier League clubs can address to reduce their carbon footprint is their travel, as shown in BBC Sport research.

Why is this important?

Football For Future is a non-profit organisation working with stakeholders across football to create a more environmentally sustainable culture and founder Elliot Arthur-Worsop told BBC Sport: "Climate change will be the defining challenge of our generation, and the future of football will be affected too.

"We're already seeing the impacts, with more than 120,000 English grassroots games being called off annually, and major tournaments such as the World Cup and Afcon being moved because of extreme weather.

"Beyond the pitch, the climate crisis threatens livelihoods and global food and water security.

"With its unparalleled social influence, football has an opportunity to inspire global climate action, from micro-behaviours to essential policy change."

What would you like to see your club do more (or less) of to be greener?

Image source, Getty Images

Eberechi Eze has missed 10 Premier League games this season, just under a third of Crystal Palace’s matches, yet the 25-year-old has still created the most chances, performed the most dribbles and executed the most passes into the opposition box for his side.

The heir apparent to the Palace throne vacated following Wilfried Zaha’s departure last summer, Eze’s the main man in south London - and everybody knows it.

The talent is obvious, look no further than his performance against West Ham which was headlined by a spectacular overhead kick and a nutmeg assist, all to the backing track of "Eze’s on fire, your defence is petrified" being roared out of the Holmesdale Road stand.

However, Eze’s rise is more to do with perseverance. Rejected by Arsenal, Fulham, Reading, Millwall, Sunderland and Bristol City as a youngster, it was QPR who provided him with a first professional contract - faith which was later rewarded when he joined Crystal Palace in a £19.5m deal.

When I spoke to the attacker afterwards, he said the campaign "has been hard at times" because of its stop-start nature.

Eze admitted when the new manager Oliver Glasner arrived with a different system "it was a bit difficult to understand exactly what he wanted", but he added: "With each game we’re growing with our understanding and confidence."

He appears to now be in full flow under Glasner, with seven goal involvements in his past eight games (five goals and two assists). Six goals in his final 10 appearances of last season resulted in Eze being called up to the England senior squad for the first time, with Gareth Southgate admitting he is a player all the coaching staff have "liked for a long time".

Having not been available for the past two international breaks, he could again be set for a late charge for a seat on the plane to Germany.

When I asked if Euro 2024 was his target, Palace's softly spoken number 10 replied: "That's out of my control. I just want to keep playing football, enjoying each game, playing as freely as I did today. That's the main thing and, whatever happens, it’s in God’s hands."

We asked for your views on Crystal Palace's 5-2 win over West Ham on Sunday.

Here are some of your answers:

Crystal Palace fans

Mark: Absolutely amazing. Two great wins in a row have given me a lot more confidence for next season. We should have won 5-0. If Olise and Eze had been fit all season we would easily be top 10.

Paul: If that’s a peek into the future under Glasner, then wow!

Peter: Different story when Olise and Eze start. Mateta showing that he's a decent player despite the naysayers. The new manager has realised that. Ward and Ayew are bench at best.

Tresbon: This Palace starting XI posed better teams problems and this feeble, tired West Ham outfit simply melted under the onslaught. Marc Guehi slides back in but where do Lerma and eventually Doucoure go? Not room for both alongside an astonishing Wharton - he has so much time on the ball. Problem for Palace is the second string - Championship players.

West Ham United fans

Alan: Time is running out for David Moyes .This defeat is one of a succession of poor performances. We are too negative, our bench is non-existent and our youngsters are never given a chance. It's time for change.

Mario: I don't think I can put it in to words. Yes we had Europe on Thursday but come on. Not good enough, squad too small, some players need to question their commitment and the manager - enough said. Lots of good things last three years, lots of very bad things. Time for a change.

Bruce: Just how much longer is this farce with Moyes going on? We are now getting thrashed against average teams. Board must wake up to the fact he is out of his depth. Act before this once great club becomes picture of ridicule.

Mark: Another capitulation after an outstanding European game in midweek. One week we can challenge the best, the following week we would find it hard to beat a Championship side. Same old West Ham.

Image source, Getty Images

Oliver Glasner was able to field his full-strength attacking trio of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta in the Eagles' 5-2 win over West Ham United.

Because of injuries and suspensions, Crystal Palace have only been able to play with all three of their preferred forwards in five games this season - winning four of those games and suffering just one loss.

The Eagles have played a further 28 games with at least one of the trio missing - winning just five of those games and suffering 14 defeats.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy praised Palace's "outstanding" attacking line and analysed Eze's performance on Match of the Day 2: "You could pick any of the three, but Eze was on a different planet in this game. He hasn't played a lot this season but, when he is fit, he is as good as I have seen.

"He is a Champions League player - I'm sorry, Palace fans. He will not be there next season. This is an unbelievable talent [we are talking about].

"He has got great physical strength, is calm on the ball, is technically really good, can go both ways, can play wide left or wide right and he can play as a midfielder - where Roy Hodgson played him at times.

"He is just a super confident and talented player.

"They [West Ham] couldn't handle him. He can make goals, he can score goals and he can go by people. Everything about his game is there, if he can keep himself physically right and focused on his football.

"There are going to be so many clubs after him because he can do the lot. A wonderful, wonderful player."

Catch up on Match of the Day 2 here

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch highlights of Saturday's games here.

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentaries in full:

Everton v Nottingham Forest

Fulham v Liverpool

Crystal Palace could join the chase for 23-year-old Club Bruges and Nigeria midfielder Raphael Onyedika. (Sun), external

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

• Crystal Palace’s 5-2 over West Ham was their joint-biggest win in a top-flight London derby (sixth by three goals), and the first time they’ve ever scored five goals against fellow London opposition in the top-flight.

• Both of Crystal Palace’s victories by three goals in the Premier League this season have come under Oliver Glasner (3-0 v Burnley and 5-2 v West Ham). Prior to his arrival, the Eagles had only won one of their previous 71 games in the competition by three or more goals (5-1 v Leeds in April 2023).

• West Ham have only won four of their 21 games across all competitions in 2024 (D8 L9). They have the fifth-lowest win percentage of any Premier League team this year (19%), behind only Burnley (13.3%), Sheffield United (13.3%), Nottingham Forest (15.8%) and Everton (18.8%).

• In what was his 693rd game as a manager in the Premier League, this was the earliest a David Moyes side had ever been 4-0 down in a game in the competition (31st minute – Crystal Palace 4-0 West Ham).

• With a goal and assist today, Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise is the youngest player to have been directly involved in 10+ goals in each of the last two Premier League campaigns (22y 131d – 13 in 2022-23 and 11 in 2023-24).

• Michail Antonio made his 250th Premier League appearance for West Ham, becoming just the third player to reach this milestone for them in the competition, after Mark Noble (414) and Aaron Cresswell (291).

Crystal Palace hit four goals in the first 31 minutes as they thrashed sorry West Ham at Selhurst Park.

Michael Olise opened the scoring when he rose highest to convert Joachim Andersen's lofted ball into the box.

Eberechi Eze then netted a superb bicycle kick from close range and Emerson Palmieri turned into his own net under pressure from Daniel Munoz for Palace's third of the afternoon.

Olise turned provider, squaring the ball across goal for Jean-Philippe Mateta to sidefoot home.

Michail Antonio got in behind his man and poked past home goalkeeper Dean Henderson for a Hammers consolation towards the end of the first half.

But Oliver Glasner's side continued to dominate after the break and Mateta scored again for his ninth league goal of the campaign in an excellent performance from the Eagles.

Tyrick Mitchell scored a late own goal, firing back towards goal without looking and Henderson was unable to stop it finding the back of the net as West Ham cut the deficit to three goals.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Palace fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Hammers fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are four Premier League games on Sunday, and we will bring you every moment.

All times are in BST

Listen to BBC radio commentaries of all games and follow live text updates here

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

For this weekend's games, he takes on singer-songwriter and Arsenal fan Sam Tompkins.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Who saw Crystal Palace beating Liverpool? Not me.

It is going to take until next season for Eagles boss Oliver Glasner to really make his mark, but a result like that is a good start.

I don't think it is a huge coincidence that the Eagles put in that performance when they had Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise in the team together. They carry much more of a threat with both of them fit, and it changes my whole way of thinking when I am predicting Palace games.

Palace have a classy player in midfield too in Adam Wharton - I saw enough of him at my old club Blackburn to be impressed and I love the way he knits things together so effortlessly.

Wharton is not the fastest but the first three yards are in his head and he just sees things quicker than most people. He can still improve some aspects of his game but he has only just turned 20 and looks like a shrewd piece of business by the Eagles.

As for West Ham, well they have got an uphill struggle to stay in the Europa League on Thursday, and they have got a fight on their hands to qualify for Europe again next season.

There is the danger the Hammers' season could fizzle out, although I don't think it will.

Sam's prediction: 2-1

I've got to back Palace here. My girlfriend's mum is a huge Palace supporter and if I don't say they will win, I will never be allowed back in the family home. They have also just beaten Liverpool so their morale should quite high.

Read the rest of their predictions here

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner says Joachim Andersen is an integral part of his squad, ahead of the Eagles' Premier League match against West Ham on Sunday.

Andersen has been a mainstay of the Palace backline this season and has attracted interest from teams in the Premier League and Europe alike.

"I could see it from the first day that he is a fantastic player," said Glasner of the Denmark international.

"I think he feels good on the pitch, because otherwise you can't perform like he did at Liverpool. This gives him confidence.

"It's also difficult for him sometimes, because it was the first time [Nathaniel] Clyney played right of him and then, left, it was Marc Guehi for a long time of the season, then it was Chris Richards, now it's Jefferson Lerma, but Jeff Lerma will be out, so we have to find another player to play there.

"But this is also one of his biggest strengths, his leadership. He organises our defence, and also when we have the ball, in building up he's very confident in passing, and not just passing across or back, he's passing breaking lines. This helps us in the game.

"It's a team game, but he's a very important part of the team."

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is pleased to have the chance to stand opposite West Ham boss David Moyes once again, when the Eagles host the Hammers on Sunday (15:00 BST).

Glasner last faced Moyes when Eintracht Frankfurt defeated West Ham in the semi-finals of the 2022 Europa League.

"[He’s been] brilliant," said the Austrian in his news conference on Friday.

"They were in the quarter-finals of the Europa League this season. They won the Conference League last season. The season before, they were in the semi-finals of the Europa League. I don't know their exact [league] positions in the last years, but yes, it's a very good team and he's a very experienced manager.

"We had two very tough games against them when I was manager of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League. Of course, I have very good memories because we won both games. But it was two years ago and one different team.

"For us [Palace], it's important to look at what we want to do, to perform at our best level and to win the game. This is what we were talking about – and also not talking about winning, but talking about what we have to do, what we want to do. This was the headline of the whole week."