The Crystal Palace fans were in fine voice at Brentford on Sunday.
Dango Ouattara’s late goal saw the Eagles forced to share the spoils at the Gtech Community Stadium. It means it’s not mathematically impossible for them to finish in their customary 12th place. Even so, it was a party atmosphere among the travelling support over the weekend.
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After all, Palace have a first European cup final to look forward to next week. The south London side take on Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League for what will be Oliver Glasner’s final game at the Selhurst Park helm.
Even so, few could have foreseen Adam Wharton of all players getting on the scoresheet in west London. “If Wharton scores, we’re on the pitch” the Palace fans chanted. While they didn’t immediately hurdle the advertising boards to celebrate the goal, it was a rare moment supporters made the most of.
Glasner’s central midfield restrictions
When fans got wind that Wharton’s parents were in the crowd, you can be sure they capitalised upon their attendance. “Adam Wharton’s mum” was the chant of choice. After all, these moments don’t come along very often. Wharton’s goal came from his 81st competitive shot since joining from Blackburn Rovers. He marked the occasion with a backflip, pulling out a celebration not witnessed since his Rovers days.
In fact, Wharton’s goal was the first by a Palace player that started a Premier League game in central midfield since Glasner took over in February 2024. No fewer than seven players – Wharton, Will Hughes, Jefferson Lerma, Daichi Kamada, Cheick Doucoure, Marc Guehi and Justin Devenny – have all started in the role under the Austrian. Between them, they have managed 157 Premier League shots.
However, this is completely by design. Glasner doesn’t want his central midfielders to push to high up the pitch in his favoured 3-4-2-1 setup. It runs the risk of the defence being exposed. It’s for that reason that Glasner has routinely favourited two midfielders who can be profiled as a 6 rather than a box-to-box runner alongside a holder.
Midfielders act as facilitators
And the two central midfielders provide less a goal threat themselves, and instead look to provide for others. This is evident in that Wharton (1.6), Hughes (1.2) and Kamada (1) rank among the top four players for chances created per 90 for Palace this season.
Palace, meanwhile, rank fifth for accurate through balls (33) in England’s top tier this term. Only Bruno Fernandes (15) has made more than Wharton (14) of all players. They facilitate the play rather than look to support the attack. So, for Wharton to get in on the act on Sunday was certainly an anomaly.
Indeed, Palace have the seventh lowest possession share in the Premier League this season. They see just 45.6% of the ball. The Eagles don’t dominate opponents in the same way as Manchester City or Liverpool. They rely on remaining compact before springing forward quickly.
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Granted, they’re the only Premier League team yet to score a counter-attacking goal this season. However, it’s not for want of trying. 37 shots following a counter attack is the seventh most. A little more composure in front of goal and they would have tucked these chances away.
Eagles notoriously difficult to break down
This does highlight the specific role a central midfielder plays in this Glasner system. So, too, does the fact that Palace are fifth for fewest shots shipped per 90 (11.6) in the division. 49 goals conceded is the sixth lowest haul. Palace are rarely overrun by opponents, and much of that is due to the battling central midfielders under Glasner.
While it doesn’t make for great reading that a central midfielder has scored just one league goal since Glasner took charge, it’s all part of the plan. He favours defensive resolve over a gung-ho approach. Only relegated pair Wolves (26) and Burnley (37) have scored fewer goals (40).
Fans, though, will hope Wharton’s goal is the beginning of a more-attack minded midfielder. The England international is already one of the best ball-players in the Premier League. All that’s lacking is the goals. It hasn’t been for want of trying. He’s still managed 32 shots this season, the fourth most of all Palace players in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
It’ll be intriguing to see who Palace bring in next and whether they’ll utilise the central midfielders differently once Glasner departs. Or how a new team maximises Wharton’s immense talent. The former Rovers man is high on wishlists ahead of the summer window, with Manchester United in particular keeping tabs on the 22-year-old.
Even so, fans welcomed the chance to see Wharton, quite literally, take flight on Sunday. After all, it’s a moment that doesn’t come along very often.
