Oliver Glasner's side returned to winning ways in the Premier League with a comprehensive victory over Keith Andrews' Bees at Selhurst Park
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Match Summary: Palace Soar Back to Victory
Crystal Palace extended their unbeaten run at Selhurst Park in the Premier League to 11 matches after beating Brentford 2-0 on Saturday. Jean-Philippe Mateta and an own goal from Nathan Collins in either half moved Oliver Glasner's team up to seventh in the table.
The Eagles ended a frustrating three-match winless streak in the Premier League with a performance that showcased both their tactical discipline and attacking prowess. After struggling for consistency in recent weeks, Glasner's men delivered when it mattered most against a Brentford side that had previously proved a bogey team.
The deadlock was broken in the 30th minute through Mateta, who placed a sensational looping header over Caoimhin Kelleher following Jefferson Lerma's header from a free-kick. The French striker's movement and technique were exemplary, demonstrating why he has become such a crucial figure under Glasner's management.
Palace doubled their lead six minutes after the restart when a long throw from Lerma was glanced into his own net by Brentford captain Collins. It was a cruel moment for the defender, but one that epitomised Palace's threat from set-pieces throughout the encounter.
Tactical Analysis: Set-Piece Mastery Decides Contest
This premier league_match_football encounter was decided by fine margins and tactical execution rather than free-flowing play. Both teams demonstrated defensive solidity, but Palace's superior set-piece delivery and movement proved decisive.
Crystal Palace lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation with Dean Henderson in goal and Jean-Philippe Mateta leading the attack. The tactical shape allowed Glasner's side to dominate wide areas whilst maintaining central compactness when defending.
Palace dominated the first half in an attacking sense, despite having less possession, as Mateta met Yeremy Pino's clipped cross with a glancing header to force Kelleher into action. This approach highlighted Palace's pragmatic game plan - cede possession but maximise attacking opportunities through quality delivery.
Brentford's 4-2-3-1 system struggled to create clear-cut chances against a well-organised Palace defence. The visitors ended the first half without a shot on target, their closest effort coming from a high-and-wide free-kick from Mikkel Damsgaard on the stroke of half-time. Keith Andrews' side appeared tactically constrained, unable to replicate the fluid attacking play that saw them defeat Liverpool previously.
Palace's pressing intensity increased after the interval, with the wing-backs pushing higher up the pitch to compress the space for Brentford's creative players. The tactical adjustments paid dividends as the hosts controlled the tempo and territorial advantage throughout the second period.
Key Performers and Individual Battles
Man of the Match: Jean-Philippe Mateta
It was Mateta's 22nd goal in 28 home league starts under Glasner. The French striker's clinical finishing and intelligent movement in the box were instrumental in breaking Brentford's defensive resistance. His looping header demonstrated excellent technique and spatial awareness, making it impossible for Kelleher to react in time.
Standout Performers
Jefferson Lerma was exceptional in midfield, providing the assist for Mateta's opener and delivering the long throw that led to the second goal. His distribution and leadership were crucial to Palace's tactical execution.
Yeremy Pino caused problems down the right flank throughout, testing Brentford's defence early on, seeing an early effort deflected wide before his free-kick struck the wall. The Spanish winger's pace and directness provided Palace with a consistent outlet.
Dean Henderson made several important saves to preserve Palace's clean sheet, most notably a fine save from Reiss Nelson's curling shot in the second half.
Underperformers
Nathan Collins will be disappointed with his role in Palace's second goal, though the Brentford captain was otherwise solid in aerial duels. His unfortunate own goal summed up a frustrating afternoon for the visitors.
Brentford's attacking players struggled to impose themselves on the game, with Igor Thiago and Dango Ouattara failing to receive adequate service from midfield areas.
Statistical Analysis
| Statistic | Crystal Palace | Brentford |
|---|---|---|
| Possession (%) | 42 | 58 |
| Shots on Target | 2 | 1 |
| Total Shots | 8 | 6 |
| Corner Kicks | 4 | 3 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.3 | 0.7 |
The statistics reveal a fascinating tactical battle where possession did not correlate with dominance. Palace's efficiency in front of goal contrasted sharply with Brentford's inability to test Henderson consistently. The expected goals figures suggest Palace created the better quality chances despite having less of the ball.
Palace's clinical edge was evident as they nearly doubled their advantage less than five minutes after the opener, when Ismaila Sarr volleyed just wide of the right-hand post.
Premier League Table Impact
Jean-Philippe Mateta and an own goal from Nathan Collins in either half moved Oliver Glasner's team up to seventh in the table, only two points behind Bournemouth in second. This result significantly boosts Palace's ambitions for European qualification, positioning them firmly in the hunt for continental football.
While the Eagles are flying high in the standings after their latest win, Brentford remain just outside the top half in 12th on 13 points. The defeat represents a setback for Keith Andrews' side, though their position remains comfortable given their early-season form.
Palace have picked up 18 points from 10 Premier League London derbies in 2025 (W5 D3 L2), a tally only bettered by Arsenal (23) and Chelsea (19) in that time. This statistic underlines Palace's growing stature in the capital's football hierarchy.
Looking ahead, both teams face crucial fixtures that could define their seasonal ambitions. The Eagles now turn their attention to the UEFA Conference League, in which they will face AZ Alkmaar, before hosting Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of the international break.
Reaction and Analysis
Oliver Glasner's post-match comments highlighted the importance of preparation: "Thursday was just recovery and yesterday we played 25 minutes on the pitch and then 15 minutes just defending throw-ins and attacking throw-ins because we knew that this would be a topic today. Credit to my assistants who prepared all the clips and how we defended it and also in the attack so that we could score from it. We spoke about it, that it could be a set-play battle and at the end, I think we won the set-play battle."
Keith Andrews acknowledged his team's shortcomings: "I thought it was a tight game, clearly a game where set-pieces were very prevalent in how the result went. In terms of our performance, did we hit the heights of recent weeks individually and collectively?"
The victory provides vindication for Glasner's tactical approach and squad rotation policy. Palace's bright start to the season looked as though it was beginning to fade with recent Premier League defeats to Everton and Arsenal, but the Eagles roared back with an emphatic 3-0 win over a fully-rotated Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
Social media reaction from Palace supporters was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the team's resilience and tactical discipline. Brentford fans, whilst disappointed, acknowledged Palace's superior execution in key moments.
Looking Forward: European Aspirations Alive
This comprehensive victory against Brentford demonstrates Crystal Palace's genuine ambitions for European qualification. The combination of tactical flexibility, individual quality, and home form creates a foundation for sustained success this season.
Palace's ability to grind out results when not at their fluent best suggests a maturity that could serve them well in the congested fixture list ahead. With Conference League commitments and domestic cup competitions to navigate, squad depth and tactical versatility will be crucial.
For Brentford, the defeat continues a concerning away form trend, having lost four of their five Premier League away games under Andrews (W1), after losing just one of their last 11 under Thomas Frank last season (W7 D3). Andrews must address these travelling troubles if the Bees are to maintain their Premier League status comfortably.
The result reinforces the competitive nature of this Premier League season, where tactical preparation and set-piece execution can prove decisive in determining outcomes. Palace's victory serves as a blueprint for teams looking to maximise limited possession against well-organised opponents.
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Sources: NBC Sports,BBC Sport,The Athletic