Crystal Palace’s recent performance highlights significant struggles at both ends of the pitch, particularly evident in their latest defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. Manager Oliver Glasner acknowledged the team’s difficulties, stating, “We created enough to score goals but miss all our chances and get punished by a corner, a set-play. We need to get this fixed.”
The statistics reflect Palace’s attacking woes. Although they have consistently created quality chances, the team has underperformed in converting them into goals. Based on expected goals metrics, they should have scored around 29 league goals this season; however, their actual tally stands at just 21, marking the largest underperformance in the league.
Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was the Premier League’s second highest scorer in 2025 with 17 goals, has only managed to score once in his last eight appearances, and that was a penalty. The absence of key players like Ismaila Sarr and Daniel Munoz on the right flank has been particularly detrimental, prompting the club to pursue a £35 million transfer for Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson to strengthen their attacking options.
Defensively, the Eagles have also faced challenges, especially with set-pieces. An alarming statistic shows that eight of the nine most recent goals they conceded in all competitions have come from set-piece situations, including corners, throw-ins, and direct free kicks. In the Premier League, a staggering 60% of the goals conceded by Palace have originated from set-pieces, the highest percentage in the division as of the latest matches.
Despite these challenges, there is hope for improvement. The management’s awareness of the issues and potential reinforcements could pave the way for a stronger performance in the coming matches. With a proactive approach, Palace can work to address these shortcomings on both attacking and defensive fronts.