Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace boss, Oliver Glasner has spoken about the rumour of a potential exit being on the cards. Glasner has stated he has the full interest of remaining in charge with the Selhurst Park side until the end of the season at the very least despite struggling times. There has been concern within the Palace support to whether Glasner was going to depart the club as Crystal Palace continue to slip down the league as they currently sit 15th in the league and have qualified into the final 16 of the UEFA Conference League where they will meet AEK Larnaca – the side who defeated them in the league phase. Following their win over Zrinjski Mostar, Glasner said: “I’ve had 100-per-cent assurance [of staying on],” he told TNT Sports after the game. “For me it’s always number one is the players, the players believing in me and the staff – and that’s the most important thing, otherwise you can pack your suitcase and go home. “They have a great togetherness in the group, the staff and it’s the same with the chairman and sporting director.” Glasner also feels some of his comments within the media may have been one of the reasons to the rumours of Glasner possibly departing. “Maybe I gave some interviews which were not really helpful, I have to admit but I always say what I am feeling and sometimes it’s positive, sometimes it’s not so positive. “That’s Oliver Glasner, and in the end we are in a very good position in the league and now it’s up to us with our fans to make a really good season of it.” Glasner feels belief within the players is the most important part while results create the awareness. “For me it’s always number one is the players, the players believing in me and the staff – and that’s the most important thing, otherwise you can pack your suitcase and go home. “They have a great togetherness in the group, the staff and it’s the same with the chairman and sporting director.”  

Crystal Palace star man Jean-Phillipe Mateta could have played his final game for the London side in their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea as a summer switch becomes a real possibility. Crystal Palace have came to realisation they may need to lower their asking price for Mateta to just £30million this summer with the striker now entering his final year at Selhurst Park which Palace may be forced into reducing the price tag to ensure he doesn’t depart for nothing. The Selhurst Park outfit already secured a replacement in the January window with Strand Larsen joining from relegation bound side Wolves as Manchester United are keeping tabs on the France International although Mateta is eyeing up a world cup spot on the plane with France although surgery may be required meaning a seat on the plane looks doubtful. Palace boss Oliver Glasner has issued an update which states his knee injury “not as bad as feared” which boosts a chance of a world cup call-up. Mateta hasn’t featured in a few weeks after picking up a knee injury against Chelsea which blocked a move to AC Milan in January for the 28-year-old after failing a medical in Italy. “I’m 100% convinced that JP will give his best when he wears the Eagles shirt again, and I think then he deserves the best support,” said the Palace boss. “I’m pretty sure our fans will support him in the best way, appreciating what he has done for Crystal Palace. “As long as a player is here, as long as a manager is here, as long as a staff member is here, then everybody can expect being 100% committed to Crystal Palace, and that is what JP (Jean-Phillipe Mateta) will show.” Mateta has spent six-years at Selhurst Park making 186 appearances in red and blue, netting 56 goals for Palace as a move away looks close.    

Macclesfield FC who were formed five years ago following administration host the holders, Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Third Round. A slow first 10 minutes with very limited chances in the attacking sense with the game seeming very even in the opening stages with a few stop-start moments. Good play between Uche and Pino and the Spanish winger finds his way through but only found the side netting in a chance he should really be doing better in. Edmondson had a free-kick whipped in but failed to find anyone as the cross was too far ahead and too low for anyone to latch on which was a very poor effort. Lacey had a big chance for the hosts, a nice struck ball on target but was ultimately a simple catch for Benitez but some good football by the non-league side by the hosts. Rodney had a wonderful ball in towards 16-year-old Drake-Thomas who just couldn’t get his head to the ball  keeping the game all square. Uche launched an effort after 28 minutes from outside the box and was just marginally over the bar. Palace starting to show control but unable to fire ahead. Duffy for Macclesfield with a darting run who unleashed an early cross but just couldn’t find the target and was defended well by the holders. Captain Darcy put sixth-tier Macclesfield ahead against the current holders, Crystal Palace. Duffy with a sensational cross into the box then there was Darcy who smashed his header past Benitez to fire the non-league side ahead against the Premier League outfit. Going into the second half, the visitors unleashed their more experienced players with trio Mitchell, Johnson and Hughes all being introduced as Palace look to defend the FA Cup. Edmondson had a chance after 58 minutes, switched onto his left and struck a low-driven strike but was a simple stop. Macclesfield doubled their advantage sending the crowd in mayhem. Macclesfield keep fighting with hunger, they unleash a strike which was initially blocked in which landed at Buckley-Ricketts who tapped it home with the outside of his foot as Benitez was left unable to even try and stop it. Palace did have their chances but was really struggling to test Dearnley in goals as they just couldn’t get the ball into the back of the net. Wharton smacked an effort from distance but an amazing save by the Macclesfield goalkeeper to keep their lead at 2-0. Palace found one back late on, Pino from a free-kick on the edge of the box which calmly rattled into the back of the net to give to Premier League side a life-line. Uche was grounded late on as they claimed for a late spot-kick but the referee was showing zero interest and let play resume. The full-time whistle went and the National League North side Macclesfield booked themselves a spot in the next round defeating the FA Cup holders, Crystal Palace who sit 144 places above the non-league side in a historic day for Macclesfield in their five year history following their administration when they were known as Macclesfield Town FC. Macclesfield FC: Dearnley (7), Fensome (7), Menayese (7), Heathcote (8), Lacey (8), Dawson (9), Kay (8), Buckley-Ricketts (8), Edmondson (8), Duffy (9), Mellor (8). Subsitutes: Botherwick-Jackson (7), Matheson (7), Dos Santos (7), Whitehead (7). Crystal Palace: Benitez (6), Richards (4), Geuhi (5), Canvot (6), Devenny (5), Sosa (6), Wharton (6), Rodney (6), Drakes-Thomas (7), Pino (5), Uche (6). Substitutes: Mitchell (6), Johnson (6), Hughes (6), Casey (5).