From Early Struggles to Wembley Dreams

Crystal Palace's journey to the FA Cup semi-finals represents one of the Premier League's most remarkable turnarounds this season. After failing to win any of their first eight league matches, the Eagles have soared under Oliver Glasner's leadership, recording more clean sheets (8) than any other English top-flight side in 2025.

Defensive Foundation

The Austrian manager's 3-4-2-1 system has transformed Palace into one of the league's most organized units. The defensive trio of Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, and Marc Guehi has been particularly impressive, providing the platform for counter-attacking success:

• 10 wins since January (2nd behind only Liverpool)
• Just 2 defeats in last 15 matches
• 3-0 away victory at Fulham showcasing tactical flexibility

Eze Finding His Rhythm

Eberechi Eze's 'absolute scorcher' against Fulham (watch highlights) marked another step in his post-Olise evolution. While his Premier League tally of 5 goals undersells his contribution, Glasner notes:

"Ebs is having quite a strange season... so many disallowed goals, hitting the post - but he always keeps going. His England goal against Latvia has clearly boosted his confidence."

Wembley Awaits

Palace face their first FA Cup semi-final since 2022, with Glasner cautiously optimistic:

"When you enter a cup competition, we enter to win it. But now we focus only on the semi-final - Wembley is special, but we're building for something bigger."

The manager's reference to watching England at Wembley (and even a Taylor Swift concert) shows his growing connection with English football culture.

Historical Context

• Founded: 1861 (disputed)
• FA Cup finals: 1990 (lost vs Man Utd), 2016 (lost vs Man Utd)
• Could become first major trophy in club history

Key Upcoming Challenges

1. Maintain defensive solidity against top attacks
2. Improve home league form (only 3 wins all season)
3. Manage squad depth during congested fixture period

The Eagles now enter what Glasner calls "crunch time" with genuine belief they can rewrite club history.