Oliver Glasner may want investment in January to rectify mistakes made in the summer but this Crystal Palace team is showing promise. A fifth-straight defeat was inflicted on Burnley, mired in a relegation battle and offering little evidence of a plan to climb out of it.
Daniel Muñoz settled the fixture with a fine run and header, aided by his captain Marc Guéhi becoming the playmaker on a night when chances were at a premium. The goalkeepers were more at risk of frostbite than being called into action for most of the match.
If Burnley are to have any hope of staying in the Premier League, taking points off teams like Palace at home feels imperative. After averaging two shots on target in their first six home games, Scott Parker tried a more attacking lineup in the hope of putting the visitors under pressure. Considering Palace’s tired performance in defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, they may have arrived optimistic.
Unfortunately, Burnley’s lack of creativity continued to limit their chances, in every sense. The crowd lacked inspiration and the silence was punctuated by Glasner shouting instructions. By the break the hosts had produced an expected goals (xG) of 0.07. Their one chance being a first time shot from Jaidon Anthony that Dean Henderson easily palmed away.
