PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
On a cold night in South London, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace defeated the Red Devils 4-0.
Michael Olise’s masterclass inspired Crystal Palace to complete a first-ever Premier League double over Manchester United and inflict further misery on Erik ten Hag’s team.
Two fantastic efforts by Olise in the 12th and 66th minutes for Palace, with Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell also on target, made it four wins in five for Palace.
United’s shambolic defensive display this season has seen them concede 81 goals in all competitions, their most in a single campaign since 1976–77 (also 81).
Ten Hag’s team have faced over 680 shots in 35 games and have failed to keep a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League in 2024.
The Red Devils now have an away goal difference of -6.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner told BBC Sport: “I think the first-half performance wasn’t our top level. We gave them too many passes. It was an open game in the first half, but we were efficient.
“We didn’t give them any space in defense [after the break]. The second half was really good, but in the first half, we could do better. But the score was amazing.
“It was the fourth game in a row where the other team didn’t have 10 shots. This is what we want to do to control the game with a compact defensive shape.
“We know when we get our players in dangerous areas, they are able to score goals. We will always be very critical and look at what we can improve.”
According to Persecondnews, this is Crystal Palace’s biggest Premier League victory since beating Leeds United 5-1 in April 2023.
It is their biggest win at Selhurst Park in the league since April 2018, when they beat Leicester 5-0.
Despite the poor form United Ten Hag has vowed to fight on, he described the performance at Selhurst Park as “not good enough.”
He said: “You know that, especially when you come to the end. But still, we have nine points to play [for] and we have to fight for those nine points.
“I will keep fighting, and I prepared the team in the best way I could, and it was not good enough—by far not good enough. I have to take the responsibility for that, but I will find energy and prepare them for Sunday’s game.
“He’s my sounding board; he will be. At the end of the day, I have to do it with the players that are available.”
Manchester United have set a club record for the most defeats in a single Premier League season.
United sacked their manager after losing 12 matches in the two seasons (2013/14 and 2021/22). It doesn’t seem as though Erik ten Hag will be in the United dugout next season.
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