Crystal Palace
Glasner Urges Amorim to Back 3-4-3 as Palace and United Head Into Sunday Clash
Glasner backs 3-4-3; Palace two points clear, United have high xG and new attacking signings. £200m.
Oliver Glasner has publicly backed Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 and offered practical praise ahead of Sunday’s meeting between Crystal Palace and Manchester United. Palace sit two points ahead of United going into the fixture, and Glasner used his experience with a similar setup to highlight the system’s strengths.
Glasner pointed to United’s attacking output and recent changes when explaining his view. “It’s really funny talking about the 3-4-3 system, and I think United have the highest xG in the Premier League for scoring goals,” he said. He added that United have altered their personnel up front and invested heavily: “Their team has changed. Especially in attack. They needed more goals and they invested £200 million ($264.5 million), buying three players up front. Also, now they have players who can play very intense like [Bryan] Mbeumo.
“For me, it’s impressive to see. We compared it [their last meeting] to where they are now. I think their work rate is much higher than it was last year and then they get the reward.”
Glasner also stressed that the formation can be balanced defensively as well as productive in attack. “We’re playing the same system. So it looks like it’s a good attacking system. Also, as we show it, you can have a very good defensive structure with it.
“So it’s all about what you do with the system and how fluid you are in attack and how creative you are. I’m really looking forward to the game.”
Amorim was forthright in his assessment of Palace this season and accepted that their approach has been more effective. “We play in a different way,” he explained. “You can understand that by data. It is hard to explain everything. They are a different club and they are doing things better than us. That is quite simple.
“You don’t say that all 4-3-3 teams play in the same way. We play in a different moment, we defend in a different space, we attack in a different way. They are just doing things better than us.
“I played against [Glasner] in Frankfurt with Sporting, so I know the players. I take inspiration from everyone. When I take two weeks for an international break, I watch all the managers and try to take all the inspiration I can.
“I have six years as a professional manager, so I am always trying to learn.”
Chelsea
Estêvão and João Pedro Shine as Chelsea Beat Crystal Palace 3-1
Estêvão and João Pedro starred as Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 3-1, moving Chelsea up to fourth place
Chelsea produced a controlled away performance to beat Crystal Palace 3-1, a win that moves them up to fourth in the Premier League and extends Liam Rosenior’s strong start with four victories from five matches in charge.
The game could have swung early after Jean-Philippe Mateta broke in, only for Robert Sánchez to make a huge save to deny him. That intervention proved decisive as Chelsea gradually took control and punished a rare defensive slip from Palace’s teenager Jaydee Canvot. Estêvão seized on the backpass, used a blistering turn to leave Tyrick Mitchell and finished beyond Dean Henderson to open the scoring.
Estêvão was influential again after the break, clipping a pass behind the Palace defence for João Pedro to cut inside Adam Wharton and drive his finish through Henderson. The third came from the spot after Reece James’ cross was only partially kept out by Henderson and VAR ruled a handball by Canvot. With Cole Palmer absent through injury, Enzo Fernández stepped up and converted the penalty.
Adam Wharton was later sent off for a second bookable offence after fouling Moisés Caicedo, leaving Palace to chase the game with ten men. Oliver Glasner’s side did pull a late consolation when Chris Richards headed home, but it was no more than a finish to a match Chelsea had settled.
Key ratings (out of 10):
GK: Robert Sánchez 8.3 — his early save set the tone. RB: Reece James 7.1 — returned to right back and provided quality delivery while looking unscathed ahead of Wednesday’s pivotal trip to Naples. RM: Estêvão 8.3 — a game-changing display, creating and finishing chances. ST: João Pedro 8.3 — caused constant problems for Palace. CB: Benoît Badiashile 7.8 and Trevoh Chalobah 7.2 performed solidly at the back. CM: Andrey Santos 7.5 offered tidy protection in midfield.
Substitutes included Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap. Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Josh Acheampong, Alejandro Garnacho and Marc Guiu were unused.
Chelsea
Cole Palmer Omitted from Chelsea Squad to Crystal Palace with Persistent Thigh Tightness
Cole Palmer missed Chelsea’s trip to Crystal Palace with thigh tightness, Rosenior called it ‘minor’
Cole Palmer was left out of Chelsea’s squad for the trip to Crystal Palace after a thigh problem that has continued to trouble him this month.
The forward did not make the side that secured a scratchy Champions League win over Pafos in midweek. Liam Rosenior downplayed that omission as nothing more than precautionary to combat a “minor” issue, and earlier suggested Palmer had “a really good chance” of playing at Selhurst Park. That did not materialise.
Starting XI: Robert Sánchez; Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoît Badiashile, Marc Cucurella; Andrey Santos, Moisés Caicedo; Estêvão, Enzo Fernández, Pedro Neto; João Pedro.
Substitutes: Teddy Sharman-Lowe (GK), Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Jorrel Hato, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Marc Guiu.
Rosenior explained that Palmer has been carrying the same problem since last weekend, saying the player suffered from “a little bit of tightness in his thigh” during the win over Brentford. Palmer played the full 90 minutes against the Bees and converted a late penalty, celebrating with a modest gesture.
Speculation about Palmer’s mood was addressed by Rosenior, who described him as “very, very happy to be here” and sought to dismiss rumours of homesickness. The coach added context on the player’s recent performances: “There was frustration in the Brentford game—not because he isn’t happy here, but because he couldn’t perform at the level he wants to for the club,” and confirmed that Palmer has been “in pain” while playing.
Palmer was visible in training during the build-up to the Palace match, which suggests the problem is not serious enough to rule him out long term. With a Champions League tie against Napoli scheduled for next Wednesday, there is an expectation within the club that he will be available for that crucial fixture, per BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella.
Arsenal
Sunday Premier League Preview: Stakes High for Arsenal as London and Midlands Tests Await
Arsenal must beat Manchester United to restore a seven-point lead; Sunday also features key clashes.
Manchester City’s Saturday victory set up a pivotal Sunday in the Premier League. Arsenal know they must beat Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium to re-establish a seven-point advantage at the top. That match carries weight after Manchester United’s collective performance in last week’s derby and Bruno Fernandes’s praised role in a 2-0 win.
There is also a London derby when Crystal Palace host Chelsea, and Brentford welcome Nottingham Forest. Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea ended a run without a league win with a 2–0 victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge, bringing his tally to three wins from four in charge. That run would be impressive for any Chelsea manager, but recent form in midweek suggests the Blues could struggle at Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace remain in a tailspin. Steve Parish did not give into Oliver Glasner’s apparent wish to get the boot last weekend, so Glasner will occupy the home dugout as Palace seek their first league win since Dec. 7.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1–1 Chelsea
Brentford’s season under Keith Andrews has exceeded early expectations. After a defeat at the City Ground in Gameweek 1, Andrews has guided the Bees to a campaign that looks set to better their best under Thomas Frank, when they finished ninth in 2022–23. Brentford sit seventh and have accumulated 24 points from 11 games at the Gtech, the fourth-best home record in the division. Nottingham Forest suffered an away Europa League defeat in Braga on Thursday, and that European slog may influence Sunday’s clash.
Prediction: Brentford 3–1 Nottingham Forest
The reverse fixture between Newcastle United and Aston Villa earlier in the season was uneventful, but Sunday’s meeting on Tyneside has potential. Aston Villa’s home loss to Everton increased pressure within the camp; Unai Emery’s post-match interview depicted a manager “on the brink and not one who’s distinctly overachieved.” Villa did win at Fenerbahçe on Thursday, while Newcastle cruised past PSV Eindhoven. The Magpies are inconsistent away but difficult to break down at home.
Prediction: Newcastle 3–2 Aston Villa
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