Crystal Palace '100 percent' confident of winning FA Cup says Oliver Glasner
CONFIDENT: Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner gestures on the touchline during the Emirates FA Cup semi-final match at Wembley Stadium.
THE confident response from inside the Crystal Palace dressing room was that the FA Cup is within reach.
And after the clinical way in which they overwhelmed Aston Villa in the semi-final, few would argue Oliver Glasner’s side aren’t capable of winning the first major trophy in the south London club’s history.
Palace will head into the final as second favourites once again but the manner of Saturday’s win confirmed they have the ability to produce a performance capable of upsetting supposedly stronger opponents.
Glasner’s side may not have managed to break into the extended battle to claim a place in Europe next season but they have shown they are a team on the rise.
While clubs like Brighton, Brentford and more recently, Fulham and Nottingham Forest, have attracted praise for the way they have managed to lift themselves out of that clutch of sides forever fighting relegation, Palace have rarely grabbed attention.
During 11 successive seasons in the Premier League, the south London club has never finished higher than tenth, never lower that 15th and that record will almost certainly be maintained this year. Impressively consistent, even if they have endured uncomfortable spells nearer the foot of the table during many of those seasons, but rarely thrilling.
In some ways this term has followed a familiar path. Without a win in the opening eight Premier League games, Glasner’s side have improved steadily and when they suffered the shock of shipping ten goals in two games earlier this month, demonstrated commendable resilience to get back on track. There is the sense though, that this group of players are capable of much more.
Against Villa Jean-Philippe Mateta showed why has emerged as one of the division’s most dangerous strikers, even if he did manage to direct a second half penalty wide.
Eberechi Eze showcased his outstanding talent, particularly when he struck a superb first time shot past Emi Martinez for the 31st minute opening goal, and Ismaila Sarr produced two similarly emphatic finishes to complete the win.
Throw in an impressively mature performance from Adam Wharton in midfield, a resolute defensive display and two timely saves from keeper Dean Henderson and it was easy to understand Eze’s confident reaction to the win.
“We're 100% (confident of winning the trophy),” he said. “We have showed performances like this all the time, we're not worried or fearful of facing anyone. I trust us that we will put in the work and hopefully we can do it."
The final on May 17th, Palace's first since 2016 and only the club’s third appearance in the end of season showcase, marks their next challenge and a repeat of Saturday’s performance will only underline the fact that chairman Steve Parish is likely to face even bigger battles in the months ahead when players like Mateta, Eze, skipper Marc Guehi and Wharton are expected to attract interest.
Glasner’s impressive work has also not gone unnoticed and the manager has already been linked with RB Leipzig.
All that is to come and the challenge to Parish and the board will be to set out a vision that can convince his in demand players and manager their future remains at Selhurst Park. But there is little chance of Glasner and his players being distracted ahead of their Wembley return and the chance to make history.
For Unai Emery and his Villa players, the immediate task is very different. They must recover from a painful week that also saw them lose in the last minute at Manchester City and revive their challenge for a top five finish, starting with the home clash with Fulham next Saturday.
At Wembley there were worrying signs that the demands of a gruelling season might be catching up with Emery’s players and the manager will be anxious for an immediate response.
“We have had a lot of praise for last couple of seasons, now we will get criticism,” said John McGInn, the midfielder.
“We've got to take it on the chin, puff our chests out and try to stay together. It is easy for a day like this to disrupt and dismantle what we are building but we are building something special.
"Everyone within the club and outside the club can see that. The manager, the staff and the owners we've got, this club is set up and we'll be back here.
“At the moment it stings, but some days football comes and punches you in the face and today is one of those days.”
Henderson 7; Richards 7, Lacroix 7, Guehi 7; Munoz 7, Wharton 8 (Lerma 88,6), Kamada 7, Mitchell 7 (Chilwell 84,6); Sarr 8, Mateta 8 (Nketiah 78,6), Eze 9 (Hughes 84,6).
Martinez 6; Cash 6, Konsa 5, Torres 5, Digne 6 (Maatsen 61.6); Rogers 6 (Malen 78,6), Kamara 6 (Ramsey 68,6), Tielemans 5, McGinn 5 (Bailey 61,6); Asensio 5 (Barkley 69,6), Watkins 6.
Anthony Taylor 6
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