Crystal Palace claimed a huge victory in the Premier League, outclassing Brighton in a 3-1 victory on the south coast on a day full of shocks in the Premier League.
Ismaila Sarr stole the headlines with his two goals, giving Palace the perfect platform to build on as they leapfrog Leicester and Everton into 15th in the league and taking rivals Brighton down to 9th due to goal difference.
A result that will resonate with the fans as well as the players, it means that Crystal Palace are now only two points behind West Ham in 14th and seven away from the top half of the table.
Oliver Glasner spoke after the game about the result, its importance for the fans and what Palace need for the future.
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“A little Christmas gift”
Glasner spoke pre-match about the importance of a result against Brighton, the match that every Palace fan looks forward to the most. It’s a rivalry for the ages for the two clubs, if not for geography then certainly for their history.
To see the Austrian on the sidelines at full time with a smile growing that would make Jurgen Klopp proud, you could tell Glasner had done something special.
Palace have stuck with Glasner despite a turbulent start to the Premier League, and the Austrian was quick to thank the supporters who supported him and his side throughout stating, “The fans always supported us even when we had a bad start to the Premier League…”
”It’s a chance for us to give them a little back, it’s a little Christmas gift.”
The Eagles faith in the Austrian appears to have been repaid in the short term, with Palace only losing once in their last nine matches. The victory over nemesis Brighton, marked a successive away win after defeating Ipswich. Combined with victory against Tottenham and resolute draws against Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa, the hope for those at Selhurst Park is they may begin to start looking up.
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An unfinished product
Despite finally finding some sort of consistent form in the league, Crystal Palace still find themselves in a potential relegation fight this season. Their form will almost certainly have to improve in order to sneak into the top-half conversation.
The Eagles are now four points ahead of the relegation zone after today’s fixtures, with a win from any team below them putting the South London side in jeopardy going forward.
Glasner commented, “Averaging a point a game is not something to be satisfied with. We have work to do.”
That comment comes after Crystal Palace’s 16th point after 16 games, but neglects to focus on what has been a season of two halves so far.
The draws have been something of a constant in this campaign, but they’ve been coming a lot more often than the losses in this run as of recent times. The draws have also been coming against bigger opponents as well, and wins against sides like Brighton are proof enough that the long term solution should be sticking with Glasner.
This is an inspired and rejuvenated side, with players like Sarr and Munoz (who has now picked up his fifth yellow card of the season) stepping up for the team at a time where consistency is crucial.
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Glasner’s analysis
Brighton have been one of the surprises of the season so far, so it was a welcome surprise to see Palace show their strengths in a tough match.
It seemed like Oliver Glasner knew how to pick the Seagulls apart, with the only goal conceded coming courtesy of an unfortunate Marc Guehi own goal.
In the Austrian’s own words, “We were very direct into their half, we knew that very often they play man to man in the last line and with a very high line. We said ‘Okay, let’s go there, take the chances and take the opportunities.’ That’s what we did today.”
A very encouraging performance from the players may have helped, but it seems as if Glasner has laid out the blueprints to outplay Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
The Austrian manager will hope for more of the same away at Arsenal in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
