Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 23.
Team analysis: Crystal Palace
After their first eight Premier League matches, Palace were winless, finding themselves unexpectedly entrenched in the relegation zone and staring at potentially a long, challenging campaign ahead.
Now, they are feeling considerably more comfortable.
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Oliver Glasner's side have lost only twice since late October and have clicked into gear as they now sit in 12th place on a healthy 27 points.
That is more than they managed at this stage in any of the previous three seasons, so could a late run towards European football be on the cards?
Even the prospect of that would bring great excitement to Palace supporters, who have seen their side finish between 10th and 15th in each of their last 11 campaigns.
A finish inside the top 10 is certainly achievable providing Palace maintain their recent form. Indeed, over the past nine matches, their points total of 18 is the fifth-best in the division.
Form in past nine matches*
| Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
| Nott'm Forest | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 19 |
| Arsenal | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 19 |
| Bournemouth | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 19 |
| C Palace | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 18 |
| Aston Villa | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 17 |
| Liverpool | 9 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 16 |
*before Matchweek 23
Stable team selections
While there has been a rotating cast of central midfielders used by Glasner, and star man Eberechi Eze has missed four league matches, one of Palace’s great strengths is their continuity.
Their goalkeeper, four members of their back five, and two of their three principal attackers, have been virtual ever-presents since the Eagles claimed their first win of 2024/25 against Tottenham Hotspur on 27 October.
Palace players - most matches and minutes since 27 Oct 2024
| Player | Matches | Mins |
| Dean Henderson | 14 | 1,260 |
|---|---|---|
| Maxence Lacroix | 14 | 1,260 |
| Tyrick Mitchell | 14 | 1,244 |
| Jean-Philippe Mateta | 14 | 1,201 |
| Ismaila Sarr | 14 | 1,195 |
| Marc Guehi | 13 | 1,170 |
| Daniel Munoz | 13 | 1,169 |
The availability of these seven players has helped Glasner to foster stronger connections on the pitch.
The familiarity they share has improved the team's cohesion and organisation, with and without the ball.
What is the Eagles’ super power?
Palace’s greatest strength is how awkward they are to play against.
They do not press high, but once opponents get into the middle third, Glasner places a heavy emphasis on congesting space right across the pitch.
Whether it is forwards dropping in, the wing-backs getting tight, or simply central midfielders working tirelessly to apply pressure, the Eagles are relentlessly enthusiastic out of possession.
Palace's stats 24/25
| Total | PL rank | |
| Pressures | 4,998 | 1st |
|---|---|---|
| Pressures in middle third | 3,354 | 1st |
| Pressures resulting in turnovers | 669 | 1st |
| Pressures resulting in middle-third turnovers | 289 | 1st |
| Duels won | 1,149 | =1st |
| Ball recoveries | 1,016 | 2nd |
Inside that crucial middle third, Palace are far and away the most industrious of all 20 Premier League sides this season, making 22 more pressures in that zone per match than second-ranked AFC Bournemouth.
It is Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth side and Palace who are the only teams to have made 1,000+ ball recoveries so far this season too.
Glasner’s men are also the division’s top-ranked team when it comes to winning turnovers.
Upcoming opponents Brentford are a combative outfit themselves under Thomas Frank, but they will not be the aggressors in this Sunday afternoon contest.
Mateta in magnificent form
Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta is enjoying a rich vein of form, scoring four goals in his last three matches.
The 6ft 4in forward was sensational last time out in the league, inspiring a 2-0 win at West Ham United.
He scored a fabulous goal, running on to Eze’s pass to finish the attack with confidence. Seeing the space, and arcing his run brilliantly to beat the offside trap, Mateta never looked like missing.
The 27-year-old was full of purposeful running at the London Stadium and drew the two fouls from Konstantinos Mavropanos that got the West Ham defender sent off for two yellow cards.
In addition, Mateta played two exquisite through-balls for Eddie Nketiah in the same match, with one of them drawing the foul which earned them a penalty that he converted.
It was one of the most dominant, rounded centre-forward performances this season.
Does Mateta deserve more praise?
Since Glasner was appointed as manager almost a year ago, Mateta has scored 21 goals in 35 Premier League appearances.
Only three top-flight players have scored more often in that same period.
Most PL goals since 24 Feb 2024
| Player | Goals |
| Erling Haaland (MCI) | 27 |
|---|---|
| Alexander Isak (NEW) | 26 |
| Cole Palmer (NEW) | 26 |
| Jean-Philippe Mateta (CRY) | 21 |
| Mohamed Salah (LIV) | 21 |
So, does Mateta get the credit he deserves? I don’t believe so, as goals are not his only strong suit.
The Eagles striker is a tireless presser, he holds the ball up superbly, wins a lot of aerial duels and flick-ons, and is always on the move, looking to run in behind defenders too.
It is little wonder Mateta is a nailed-on starter at Selhurst Park, having exceeded his Expected Goals (xG) by 5.2 goals since Glasner arrived.
Who else is shining brightly?
Ismaila Sarr has been excellent as a narrow attacking midfielder in Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 shape.
The Senegalese star is exceptionally quick, on and off the ball, and his runs from deep have been difficult for defenders to contain.
His terrific solo goal at home to Arsenal encapsulates what he offers the side in that role.
Sarr spotted and surged into a pocket of space, where he received a pass before carrying the ball into the danger zone.
With William Saliba hesitant, Sarr found the bottom corner with aplomb.
Sarr's goal v Arsenal
This was one of three ball carries that ended with him scoring, a tally that is only matched by team-mate Mateta, Chelsea's Cole Palmer and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.
Goal-ending ball carries 24/25
| Player | Goals | Shots |
| Salah (LIV) | 3 | 24 |
|---|---|---|
| Palmer (CHE) | 3 | 23 |
| Sarr (CRY) | 3 | 13 |
| Mateta (CRY) | 3 | 11 |
Palace wing-backs Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell have also kicked on this season.
Snappy without the ball, they win a stack of turnovers in advanced areas and are also quick to take responsibility when Palace break forward at speed, creating 51 chances between them from open play.
Ranked first and second at Selhurst Park in this department, they have collectively eased the load on Eze, who used to provide the bulk of their creative spark.
When you compare them with the rest of the defenders across the division. Munoz and Mitchell are truly outstanding contributors in and out of possession.
PL defenders comparison 24/25
| Turnovers from pressures in final third | Chances created in open play | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Munoz (CRY) | 25 | Alexander-Arnold (LIV) | 32 |
| Mitchell (CRY) | 19 | Robinson (FUL) | 31 |
| Wan-Bissaka (WHU) | 15 | Munoz (CRY) | 26 |
| Porro (TOT) | 15 | Mitchell (CRY) | 25 |
| Udogie (TOT) | 14 | Porro (TOT) | 24 |
Brentford, who beat Palace 2-1 on the opening weekend, can be sure to expect a tough examination when they travel across the capital for the return fixture.
Palace are settled, happy, and comfortable in what they do, and consequently, they are moving up the table.
Even if European football may be beyond them this season, Palace finally look ready to finish inside the top 10.
