Glasner hails Palace's fitness as reason for improvement

Oliver Glasner claims the difference between Crystal Palace's poor start and subsequent improvement to their Premier League campaign is down to their fitness levels.

Palace won just one of their first 13 league games of this season but are now on a run of one defeat in 10 after Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marc Guehi helped them to a 2-0 win at Leicester City on Wednesday.

They are also unbeaten in their last six matches on the road (W3 D3), their longest such streak in the top-flight since February 1992.

Speaking after the game, Glasner explained how a difficult summer made it harder for the Eagles to hit the ground running.

He told TNT Sport: "We had 10 new players in the dressing room [over the summer], with 12 players having a maximum of 10 days of pre-season and four players signed on deadline day.

"We started training with this group in the middle of September, and then it takes time.

"Everything is now improving, especially with our defending. We are getting more consistent. It's understanding each other and also players got their fitness.

"Mateta was playing in the Olympics and had four days with us before the season. Everybody else had five or six weeks. It just took time."

GET IN THERE Three points, clean sheet #CPFC // #LEICRY

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 15, 2025

All six of Guehi's Premier League goals have come from set-piece situations (three from corners, three from free-kicks), whilst five of his six overall have come away from home.

The defender was delighted to contribute to the victory and also praised his fellow goalscorer.

"He [Mateta] has been fantastic. He trains first class every day. We've got a really good squad, and I'm so happy," he told TNT Sports.

"My goal wasn't actually planned, it was off the cuff. We practise set-pieces a lot, but that one was just instinctive. Eze has the quality to deliver."

Leicester started the contest strongly, with Jamie Vardy guilty of missing chances in the opening period.

He attempted six shots overall for Leicester but failed to score – he has only ever recorded more shots without finding the back of the net in a Premier League match once before (seven vs Southampton in January 2021).

But their boss Ruud van Nistelrooy rued his side's display after half-time when they conceded twice and summoned just 0.64 expected goals (xG).

He told TNT Sports: "I think the difference in performance from us was too big. We dropped our levels and Palace are lethal.

"The first chance is in and it took the momentum. I think we should have had the first goal to build on."

Some Leicester fans directed angry chants at the club's hierarchy, but Van Nistelrooy called for unity, with his side sitting 19th in the table.

He added: "In difficult times, we need to stay together. We need to think of the club and the team.

"In difficult times, you need to step up."