Analysis: Eagles edge closer to safety despite flat performancepublished at 18:29 GMT 1 February
18:29 GMT 1 February
Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Palace enjoyed a historic campaign in 2024-25 by winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Uefa Conference League, but this term it has been a complete contrast.
And while they did not suffer a defeat at Nottingham Forest, drawing 1-1, and edged nine points clear of the bottom three, the manner of their performance was indicative of their current plight.
With wantaway French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta "not in the right place" to feature, Glasner's team had very little cutting edge throughout the encounter and also lacked the physical presence to alter the dynamic of the game in the second period.
They did not manage a single shot on target following Ismaila Sarr's penalty and Matz Sels' replacement in the Forest goal Angus Gunn was untested in his first domestic outing in nine months.
That the hosts managed to have more efforts on goal and more touches in the opposition box after the break was also a damning indictment of Palace's flat attacking display.
Kris: But for a moment of madness, which led to a penalty, Palace didn't look likely to score. Even with 10, we were comfortable and can take a lot of positives. Not convinced Ndoye was the right player to bring on, though - Awoniyi's power might have caused Palace more problems.
Andy: The only mistake Neco Williams has made all season. He's been outstanding and we all make mistakes. No criticism from me. MGW was on another level. I'm still not a Dyche fan for next season but we can take real heart and faith from that performance. Four points from the next two and we'll be OK.
Sean: It was a really good first half, both teams went for it, but it ended terribly with the penalty and red card. But the second half was as good as we've been, with Gibbs-White, Aina and several others giving us a genuine attacking threat. A point looks fair to both, and the nature of the battling draw something to build on.
Ben: A big opportunity missed considering Forest's dominance with 11 players, but you can't blame Williams - it was a purely instinctual reaction and we've all been there. Forest fans should take great optimism from the first-half performance and the willingness of players to dig in for the point. Definite signs of improvement. But, focus switches to the next two games, which will probably make or break our push for survival.
Palace fans
John: Glasner really has to go now. Another inept performance and named two goalies as subs when we have a much-lauded academy. Pino and Johnson very poor for a combined £50m-plus investment.
Sean: Against 10 men, we should really be looking to put three points on the board and some distance between ourselves and the bottom three. We seem to lack any sort of urgency, intelligence and touch as the ball gets into the opposition's half, which is a direct contrast to the side that was ripping teams to shreds only a few months back. I think we're going to get battered by the top teams as the season draws to a close and will be lucky to stay up.
Steve: Sadly, the second-half performance was predictable. It shone a very strong spotlight on Palace's lack of quality. To say they were ponderous would be an understatement. The hope is Wharton and Kamada will come back soon, and the new recruits can add something different. A marvellous opportunity to move further away from the relegation zone has been wasted.
Ron: Terrible performance. Slow in everything. Just awful. Plain to see they don't want to play for Glasner any more. He needs to go so new life can be put into the team. I'm sorry to be so negative but they need revitalising.
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Crystal Palace: What Glasner saidpublished at 17:00 GMT 1 February
17:00 GMT 1 February
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Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Mixed feelings today. We were down 1-0 after the first long throw-in they had but then the reaction was great. We did well but then we didn't create good chances. You could see the nerves. We wanted to stretch them and be patient. I'm really pleased with the first half; I think it was a great performance."
On if Jean-Philippe Mateta leaves: "Let's see. I expect either Mateta or someone else here as a striker and then it's building on the performance from today's first half."
On the transfer window: "I didn't want to talk about it today because my players deserved my full focus.
"Everybody is really working very hard, but it is so close to the end of the window, so it makes it more difficult. I always try to be positive, so I hope.
"Worst case, we sell Mateta and no-one comes in, then it's not a good window for Palace. He scored most of our goals and all the others. We created enough today but to convert them is where we are struggling. We need someone who converts."
Did you know?
Crystal Palace remain winless in their last nine Premier League games (D3 L6), their outright worst run under manager Oliver Glasner and longest overall since March 2023 (12 matches).
Move to accelerate Mateta departurepublished at 15:57 GMT 1 February
15:57 GMT 1 February
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Crystal Palace's Jorgen Strand Larsen deal is now expected to accelerate Jean-Philippe Mateta's move to AC Milan.
Mateta wants to leave Selhurst Park for the Italian side but Palace have been unwilling to let the 28-year-old France international go without a replacement.
But with Strand Larsen now set to join Palace, sources are indicating that Mateta's protracted move to the San Siro will now gather pace.
Palace are open to selling Mateta this month provided they recoup a fee of between £35 and £40m.
It remains to be seen whether Milan make a formal offer close to the fee Palace are looking for, with sources indicating the Serie A side want to pay closer to £30m plus add-ons.
Nottingham Forest had a £35m bid for Mateta rejected by Palace last weekend but the striker has made it clear he wants to join Milan.
There are three changes to the Crystal Palace side that lost 3-1 to Chelsea last time out.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is not in the squad after Glasner confirmed on Friday the forward is "not in the right place" to feature, Adam Wharton is suspended and Jaydee Canvot drops to the bench.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v Brentford" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Man City", for instance.
What needs to happen before transfer deadline?published at 09:05 GMT 1 February
09:05 GMT 1 February
It's transfer deadline day tomorrow, with the window closing at 19:00 GMT.
How would you assess Crystal Palace's window? Do you think any position needs more attention? If so, give us names of who should be brought in. And what about who needs to go?
Sutton's predictions: Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palacepublished at 08:01 GMT 1 February
08:01 GMT 1 February
Nottingham Forest 'Dyched' Brentford last week, and it really was a classic Sean Dyche performance.
They add new words to the Oxford English Dictionary every year and 'Dyched' should make it in for 2026.
'Dyched' means "well structured but dull" by the way - you can use it when a team is unadventurous but gets the job done.
I can see the same thing happening to Crystal Palace too.
Forest will move level on points with them if they win this. I hope I am wrong, but I do think Palace will end up in a relegation battle.
I do not like saying this about any manager, but they should sack Oliver Glasner - he is going at the end of the season anyway, and it feels like a lot of their players want away too.
Glasner has done a brilliant job, but the fact everyone knows he is going means they have to move on from him now - before things get worse. Being brutally honest, I do not see any upside to him staying on.
If he stays, they are going to end up getting sucked in by Leeds and West Ham, as well as Forest - although the way my predictions have been going this season, that probably means he will stay and steer them into Europe again.
Gossip: Mateta agrees AC Milan deal but final decision with Palacepublished at 07:24 GMT 1 February
07:24 GMT 1 February
Jean-Philippe Mateta has agreed a contract with AC Milan until 2030, but Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner will not let the striker leave unless they have a ready-made replacement. (Times - subscription), external
Mateta is waiting for permission to fly for a medical, but the final decision over any deal is with the Selhurst Park club. (Kaveh Solhekol), external
Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:01 GMT 31 January
13:01 GMT 31 January
Chris Adams BBC Sport journalist
Nottingham Forest's surprisingly comfortable win over Brentford last week means they have taken seven points from the last nine going into the visit of Crystal Palace on Saturday.
That 2-0 victory in west London marked the first time 17th-placed Forest have kept consecutive clean sheets in the league this season.
Top scorer Morgan Gibbs-White laid on the second for substitute Taiwo Awoniyi and the attacking midfielder continues to be a beacon of hope for Forest as they bid to stave off relegation.
Since his Forest debut in August 2022, Gibbs-White's 28 Premier League assists are the second-most by an English player in the competition after Arsenal's Bukayo Saka (33).
Lucca the size of him
One man he'll be hoping to help on to the scoresheet is recent arrival Lorenzo Lucca. The giant Italian striker, who is in line to make his debut after joining on loan from Napoli, reportedly measures 201cm (6ft 7in), which would make him the tallest outfield player currently in the English top flight, according to Premier League data.
As was the case against Brentford, if Forest are in front at the interval they will fancy their chances against struggling Palace; of the 28 times a Sean Dyche side has led at half-time in a top-flight away match, he has suffered just one defeat.
Eagles' nosedive
Crystal Palace's form has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks, even before head coach Oliver Glasner announced he will be leaving Selhurst Park when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Eagles, two places above Forest in 15th, are 11 games without a win in all competitions, eight of them in the league. Their form since mid-December makes for damning reading; they have won the fewest points, scored the fewest goals, lost the most games, and recorded the worst goal difference in the division since matchweek 16.
Former captain Marc Guehi is gone, top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta looks likely to follow, and midfielder Adam Wharton is suspended after his red card during last week's defeat by Chelsea. Saturday's prospects don't look much better for Palace fans.
Stick or twist with Oliver?
They haven't won in 11 previous Premier League meetings with Nottingham Forest, having drawn seven and lost four. It's both the most they've ever faced a side without winning and the most Forest have faced a side without losing in the competition.
The conversation around whether Glasner will see out the season is an increasingly loud one. This spell of eight league games without a victory is one of the worst in his managerial career, topped only by winless runs of 11 and 10 during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt.
'An exciting talent' - Palace complete Guessand signingpublished at 11:55 GMT 31 January
11:55 GMT 31 January
Image source, Getty Images
New Crystal Palace signing Evann Guessand says he has been "waiting for this moment for a very long time" after finalising his move from Aston Villa.
The 24-year-old has moved to Selhurst Park on loan until the end of the season, with the club having the option to make the transfer permanent.
The Ivory Coast international only joined Villa from Nice for £26m last summer, after scoring 12 goals and being named the Ligue 1 club's player of the season for the 2024-25 campaign as they finished fourth.
However, he has struggled to establish himself at Villa Park, starting just six Premier League games and scoring two goals in 21 appearances in all competitions.
"I'm really, really excited," he said on completing the move.
"I was waiting for this moment for a very long time, and I'm excited to play with my new teammates.
"I think, with the quality we have, we can achieve something."
Palace are currently 15th in the Premier League, eight points clear of relegation, but sold England defender Marc Guehi to Manchester City, while France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has told the club he wants to leave.
However, Eagles Chairman Steve Parish believes Guessand can be a welcome addition to Oliver Glasner's attack.
"Evann is an exciting talent who we are confident will flourish on the South London stage," he added.
"His arrival further bolsters our forward options, as we look to push on in the Premier League and in Europe in the second half of the season."
Glasner on Mateta, Guehi's replacement and and the 'negative consequence of success'published at 14:59 GMT 30 January
14:59 GMT 30 January
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Glasner confirmed Jean-Philippe Mateta will not be selected to face Nottingham Forest as "he is not in the place," but added, "It is nothing to do with the transfers".
The Palace boss said he has '"to protect" Mateta, who has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park. "We need every single player at their best and JP isn't at his best right now with all the noise that happens. He can't help the team and perform at his top level. We decided it is better not to play him," said Glasner.
The Eagles are yet to find a replacement for former captain Marc Guehi, but Glasner said the club are working "24 hours a day" to bring in new players. "I see the club working hard to get players in to replace Marc and, of course, we have to prepare if something happens with JP," added Glasner.
The Austrian manager also believes last season's FA Cup success has resulted in Palace players searching for "bigger clubs". He said: "This is maybe the negative consequence of success. Players want to leave and want to play for bigger clubs, bigger money, have their own future."
However, Glasner suggested Mateta's aims of playing for France at the 2026 World Cup could lead to him staying at the club. "He will be highly motivated because he has a big dream to play for France at the World Cup. Therefore, he needs to perform, and he needs to play better than he has played in the last few weeks. The individual goal for every player, they want to play for their country at the World Cup," said Glasner.
To add to Glasner's worries, he said Palace will travel to the City Ground "with 13 outfield players, plus Kaden Rodney from our academy" and that "no new player will be in the matchday squad".
Strand Larsen and domino dealspublished at 10:43 GMT 30 January
10:43 GMT 30 January
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
If the Jorgen Strand Larsen move to Crystal Palace falls through, it could have an impact on Jean-Philippe Mateta's anticipated exit from Selhurst Park before Monday's transfer deadline.
The 28-year-old France forward has told Palace he wants to leave this month, with the Eagles increasingly open to sanctioning his departure.
Nottingham Forest have already seen a £35m offer rejected by Palace and are set to accelerate their efforts to sign Mateta in the coming days - while Juventus and AC Milan are among other clubs to have shown a concrete interest in the striker.
Mateta is understood to want to play Champions League football, but is open to a move to the City Ground.
Palace want a replacement before sanctioning Mateta's exit - and are set to sign versatile attacker Evann Guessand on loan from Aston Villa.
However, it is unclear whether the Eagles want a new recognised centre-forward through the door before allowing Mateta to leave.
'Worthy replacement' or 'ridiculous'? Mixed views on Strand Larsen dealpublished at 17:27 GMT 29 January
17:27 GMT 29 January
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We asked for your views on the agreed deal in principle worth in the region of £50m to sign Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, and what it could mean for Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Here are some of your comments:
Joe: To sell Mateta and sign Strand Larsen is great business. In terms of chances created, Wolves and Palace are miles apart, which highlights Mateta's lack of cutting edge. We have to hope that JSL can pick up from last season and do the business Mateta couldn't.
Bob: Not sure what to think anymore. The Palace are in free fall, winless in 11 games, with our best players being sold and leaving. Glasner is on his way out too, and yet we are going to buy an out-of-form Wolves striker for £50 million? Can it get any worse? I bet it can...
Maureen: If Mateta wants to leave, that's OK. Players should want to be at the club. It's a short career, and if he wants to earn more elsewhere... Thanks, JP. Strand Larsen? Absolutely ridiculous money. He'll probably freeze under the pressure.
Mike: Mateta has reached his peak with Palace and recognises that it's time to move on. All fans will thank him and wish him well. If the club can realise £30/40 million for him, it will be very good business. Strand Larsen will be a worthy replacement.
Sam: Breaking our transfer record twice in the window for players already in the Premier League looks desperate compared to more measured investments we could've made in the summer. If this just clears the way for Mateta to leave, then we'll have lost money to stay still. Hope I'm wrong
Palace closing in on Villa striker Guessandpublished at 14:21 GMT 29 January
14:21 GMT 29 January
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Crystal Palace are close to the loan signing of Aston Villa forward Evann Guessand.
The Eagles, who looked at signing the 24-year-old last summer, are set to take Guessand until the end of the season in a deal that will give them an option to buy.
Guessand has scored twice in 26 Villa appearances - both in the Europa League - having struggled to establish himself in his favoured central striker position.
The £18.25m arrival of Tammy Abraham from Besiktas this week also leaves him as likely third choice behind the new signing and Ollie Watkins.
And although the Ivory Coast international has been happy to fight for his place at Villa Park, he is expected to leave.
Guessand has made just six Premier League starts since joining Villa from Nice for £26m last August.
Deal in principle agreed for Strand Larsen - have your saypublished at 13:37 GMT 29 January
13:37 GMT 29 January
Image source, Getty Images
Crystal Palace have agreed a deal in principle worth in the region of £50m to sign Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Palace broke their club record with a £35m move for Wales forward Brennan Johnson earlier this month but Strand Larsen's arrival would surpass that deal.
The Norway international scored 14 Premier League goals for the Old Gold last season, but has found the net just once for the bottom side this campaign.
The pursuit of the 25-year-old raises further uncertainty over Jean-Philippe Mateta's future at Selhurst Park heading into the final days of the window.
Image source, Getty Images
