Oliver Glasner delivered HONEST verdict amid 3-1 defeat to Chelsea

Oliver Glasner admitted Crystal Palace are currently lacking the most decisive ingredient for winning football matches – ruthlessness in front of goal – but insisted there were still plenty of positives to take from Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, particularly the team’s late response.

Despite the scoreline at Selhurst Park, Palace controlled large spells of the first half and, even after falling three goals behind and being reduced to ten men early in the second period, showed real fight in the closing stages.

The loss stretched the Eagles’ winless run to 11 games in all competitions, yet Glasner remained encouraged by aspects of the performance.

“I think we played a really good first half,” the manager said after the match. “At the moment, though, we’re missing the most important part of football – being ruthless and taking our chances. At the same time, we’re making mistakes and giving the opposition easy opportunities.

“That’s what’s hurting us right now. We go a goal behind, then make another mistake, sometimes two or three in quick succession, and suddenly after 49 minutes you’re 2-0 down, even though you’ve played good football and been in the game.

“You can then see that the nerves aren’t as strong as they should be. That’s normal. But what really pleased me, and what gives me confidence for the coming weeks, was our reaction after going 3-0 down and receiving a red card. In situations like that, games can easily end 5-0 or 6-0.

“Instead, the players stayed in the match, applied pressure, created chances and scored. When we reached the 90th minute, there was a genuine feeling that another goal could have earned us a draw.”

Glasner stressed that the response from his players was encouraging, while also acknowledging the need to cut out costly errors and improve in front of goal.

“I saw many good things, but it’s clear we must reduce the mistakes that lead to goals and become more ruthless with our chances,” he added.

The Austrian also broke the contest down into three distinct phases.

“For me, there were three parts to the game: everything up to the second goal, then a period of 15 to 20 minutes where we lost a lot, and finally the reaction after the third goal.

“After the second goal, we lost some belief. After conceding the third, it felt like we played with freedom. And that will be the message – play free. It’s easy to say and harder to do, but I think it’s the only way to get everyone back to their best level.”

Palace’s task became even harder when Adam Wharton was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession. The dismissal followed a controversial incident that led to Chelsea’s third goal, after João Pedro’s effort deflected off Jaydee Canvot’s leg and arm before hitting the post, prompting a VAR review and a penalty.

Glasner acknowledged there were decisions he could question but refused to use officiating as an excuse.

“I could easily blame the referee,” he said. “Caicedo made two fouls in the first half and only received one yellow, while Adam made two and got two.

“I’ve watched the penalty again – the ball hit Jaydee’s hip first. We were told before the season that if it touches the body first and then the hand, it’s not handball. I also saw Pedro Neto stamp on Ismaila Sarr, which I think should have been a red card.

“But honestly, it doesn’t feel right to blame the referee. That won’t help us going forward. The referee is neutral – the only people who can help us are ourselves.”

Glasner also offered his support to Canvot following the incident.

“Our job now is to support him and lift him, and that’s exactly what we will do.”