Crystal Palace enter the top 4 of the Premier League under Glasner.
Crystal Palace beat Fulham 2-1 thanks to a header from Marc Guehi, reaching 26 points after 15 matches and climbing to fourth place. Oliver Glasner's impact is clear, but squad depth remains a concern.
Crystal Palace climbed to fourth place in the Premier League after a 2-1 victory over Fulham, bringing their total points to 26 after 15 matches. Marc Guehi's decisive header not only secured three points but also marked a historic breakthrough under manager Oliver Glasner – the highest points total the team has ever achieved in a season.
The crucial moment
Marc Guehi's header was the turning point. In a race where every point is precious, deciding the game in such a disciplined manner is a testament to the progress in Palace's organization under Glasner. Three points against Fulham put them in the Champions League qualification spots – a position unprecedented in the club's Premier League history.
Glasner shaped Palace
Oliver Glasner joined Palace in February 2024, following successes at Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt. Since then, the team has achieved record points totals in the early part of the season and won the FA Cup against Manchester City last season. Palace made their first appearance in European competition, but had to play in the Europa Conference League instead of the Europa League due to regulations regarding multi-club ownership.
At Selhurst Park, Palace are considered very difficult to beat and only lost their unbeaten run when they lost to Manchester United. Their away record is even more impressive with 52 points, second only to Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
Warnings from the coach
Glasner wasn't just talking about victory. After last week's defeat to Manchester United, he frankly pointed out the void left in the squad following the summer transfer window – where the £60 million earned from the sale of Eberechi Eze wasn't reinvested. The consequences are clear: Palace have lost all four of their European matches this season.
The message for January is therefore clear: reinforcements are needed to maintain a high level of competition, especially as the packed schedule continues to challenge a squad lacking depth.
Voices from the experts
Expert Jamie Carragher commented: “We are witnessing the greatest manager and team in Crystal Palace history.” This praise underscores Glasner’s immediate impact on elevating the team.
The uncertainties behind success
Beyond short-term goals, the long-term future is questionable. Glasner's contract expires at the end of this season. The interest from big clubs in key players – particularly Liverpool with Marc Guehi – and the uncertainty surrounding Adam Wharton could affect internal stability. With a thin squad, any disruption will have a ripple effect on form and rotation.
Impact on the race and what to expect.
Fourth place opens up the prospect of Champions League qualification. However, maintaining that momentum will depend on two variables: retaining the manager and key players, and strengthening the squad in the upcoming transfer window. Otherwise, Palace risk running out of steam as the season enters its most demanding phase.
Selected numbers
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Current location | Wednesday |
| Total score | 26 points |
| Number of matches | 15 matches |
| Recent results | Beat Fulham 2-1 |
| The decisive goal | Marc Guehi (header) |
| Performance after European matches | Lost 4 matches |
| Home ground | Unbeaten until the defeat against Manchester United |
| Guest house | 52 points, behind only Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City. |
Palace have bounced back at the right time. The question now is how far they can go, with the biggest challenge lying in the team's consistency and the upcoming transfer decisions.
