Football News Update: Crystal Palace Shines in Late Season Surge
In the closing stages of the 2022/23 Premier League season, Crystal Palace emerged as a surprise package, showcasing their prowess under the guidance of manager Oliver Glasner. The Eagles’ impressive run saw them collect more points than any other team except the flawless Manchester City over the final seven games.
Palace’s only blemish was a draw away to Fulham, but their impressive victories against the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle, West Ham, Manchester United, Wolves, and Aston Villa highlighted their transformation. The loss of attacking midfielder Michael Olise to Bayern Munich has been a disappointment for Palace fans, who are eager to see their team maintain this momentum.
A Rare Sense of Optimism
Despite being a mid-table fixture in the Premier League since their return in 2013/14, Crystal Palace have rarely finished outside the bottom half of the table. The club’s recent FA Cup runs have added some excitement, but a genuine sense of optimism has been rare. However, the team’s late-season surge suggests that this could be about to change.
“The performance of other teams in the latter stages of recent seasons provides a mixed picture on the carryover effect of strong finishes. While some clubs like West Ham and Brighton have built on their late-season form, others like Liverpool and Manchester United have struggled to maintain their momentum.”
A Sustainable Improvement?
The good news for Palace is that upwardly mobile teams emerging from the mid-table pack tend to see more sustainable improvements compared to entrenched top-six sides. Glasner’s delayed impact, with the team taking time to adapt to his tactics, could be an encouraging sign that the changes at Selhurst Park are taking root.
With the addition of new attacking options to compensate for Olise’s departure, Palace can approach the upcoming season with a belief that they have the quality to challenge the established order. While breaking into European contention may be a tall order, the Eagles will undoubtedly be one of the most intriguing teams to watch in the early stages of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
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