Crystal Palace are without a win in the Premier League so far this season. The Eagles lost to Brentford 2-1 on the opening day, and 2-0 to West Ham on the second weekend of the season.
They will be hoping to bounce back in Tuesday’s EFL Cup tie against Norwich City. Championship Norwich are also without a win this season. So far the Canaries have drawn to both Sheffield United and Blackburnand lost once against Oxford United.
The last time Crystal Palace and Norwich met was in the Premier League in February 2022. This game finished as a 1-1 draw between the two sides at Carrow Road. Teemu Pukki and Wilfried Zaha were both on the scoresheet that day.
The Eagles are unbeaten in the last seven meetings between the two sides winning four and drawing three, and Palace will hope that run continues as they look to kickstart their season versus lower league opposition.
Oliver Glasner and captain Marc Guehi have spoken to various media outlets since the defeat to West Hambelow are the main takeaways:
With the closure of the summer transfer window moving closer, Glasner confirmed that Sam Johnstone has handed in a transfer request.
“Sam told us he wants to leave. If he finds a club, he can leave. That is not the best situation to get a start.”
The former West Brom goalkeeper wants to leave on a permanent deal after losing his number one shirt and starting role to Dean Henderson.
The pair had shared responsibilities for much of last season, with injuries plaguing both goalkeepers throughout the season.
Johnstone had started Glasner’s reign in between the posts, but was ruled out for the season following an elbow injury suffered on international duty with England in March.
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Glasner on Naouirou Ahamada
Naouirou Ahamada arrived in South London from German side FC Augsburg in the 2023 January transfer window. He has struggled for consistent minutes since his arrival at Selhurst Park..
Last term, Ahamada failed to start in a single Premier League match, but featured 20 times 20 times off the bench, with Glasner confirming, “He didn’t have as many minutes as he needs for his age.”
Ahamada appears to be behind Adam Wharton, Cheick Doucoure, Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes in the pecking order under Glasner, and as a result has requested a loan move away from South London.
Maybe there is another option for him. This is what may or may not happen. It doesn’t make sense to always keep secrets”
“We spoke together and he thinks it will be good for him to get more minutes.”
Following the West Ham defeat, captain Guehi issued a rallying cry, stating, “We have to push on now and lift our spirits and go again.”
The EFL Cup fixture versus Norwich is a perfect opportunity for Palace to find a winning formula, and incite positive feeling back into the camp, as the Eagles aim to go on a lengthy cup run.
Last season Palace were knocked out in the third round of the EFL Cup.
After beating Plymouth 4-2, courtesy of a hat-trick from Jean-Philippe Mateta and a goal from Odsonne Edouardthe Eagles were subsequently knocked out by Manchester United, losing 3-0 at Old Trafford.
If Palace are to surpass their efforts from last season, they will need to overcome the Canaries and Guehi stated the fixture was a “good chance to bounce back. We’re going to need a reaction. We’re going to need everyone together to get a good result and move on into the next round.”
Despite speculation away from Palace, Guehi has captained the Eagles during the first two games, and the England international expressed his pride in receiving the role.
“It’s an honour. I’m happy, I’m glad, learning off Joel [Ward]Macca [James McArthur]and Luka [Milivojevic], some really big names, big characters. I’m just glad to be leading the team out.”
