Palace played better in Man City defeat than in FA Cup final, claims Glasner
Oliver Glasner feels Crystal Palace deserved more against Manchester City on Sunday, saying they played better than in the FA Cup final.
Crystal Palace played better in Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City than they did in May's FA Cup final victory over the same opponents, believes head coach Oliver Glasner.
Erling Haaland netted twice and was joined on the scoresheet by the in-form Phil Foden as City ran out comfortable victors at Selhurst Park.
But the scoreline arguably did not tell the full story of a game in which Palace had 16 shots to City's seven and won the expected goals (xG) battle by 2.08 to 1.18.
Palace also struck the woodwork twice, through Yeremy Pino and Adam Wharton, the second time they have done so multiple times in a Premier League game this season (also versus West Ham in September).
They have hit the woodwork eight times overall this season, with only Manchester United and Newcastle United (nine apiece) doing so more often in the Premier League.
When Palace defeated City at Wembley Stadium to win their first major trophy in May, the Eagles had just seven shots to their opponents' 23, losing the xG battle by 0.74 to 2.23.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day about the result, Glasner said: "It feels a little bit wrong, but we have to accept it. This is how big games are decided. It was small margins.
"I think City were better in the boxes. We had 16 shots and losing 3-0 is a tough moment. We will take our lessons from this game. We need these games to grow and develop and progress.
"We had three or four big chances, and we tried to get our goal and get back into the game. It felt like if we got it, something could happen.
"Their first goal, it's a great cross, great movement and great header, that is why it is Haaland and why he scores 40 goals a season.
"The performance today was better than the FA Cup final but then, we had the efficiency and City missed it."
Palace also suffered a major blow when midfielder Daichi Kamada went off injured in the second half, and Glasner is not looking forward to being without the Japan international.
"That is the most disappointing part from this game," Glasner said.
"He was so good with Adam Wharton today. He overstretched and the hamstring got injured.
"We will assess him tomorrow. It hurts because it looks like we will miss him now for a little bit longer."
