Crystal Palace: A Masterclass In Woeful Finishing

Crystal Palace: A masterclass in woeful finishing

Crystal Palace have had an outstanding start to the season, sitting fifth in the Premier League whilst reaching the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, and are a side that creates, controls and carves out chances at a rate previously unseen in SE25.

With the departure of Eberechi Eze in the summer, many believed the Eagles would struggle to continue creating as many chances. Palace have scored 16 goals in the league this season, conceding just nine times, which is the second-best defensive record in the league.

Many would have looked at Palace's plus seven-goal difference and been impressed, but for Oliver Glasner, he'll have wanted more from his side after the chances they've created.

The Eagles fell short away at Strasbourg on Thursday night, a game that saw them create numerous goal-scoring opportunities, most notably Adam Wharton and Ismalia Sarr, who both failed to score despite an open net. Sarr found himself halfway towards the the opposing open goal, striking the post despite an XG of 0.59.

Similarly, in the second half, Wharton caught the defenders out on the edge of the box, striking the bar from a chance that looked easier to miss, with an XG of 0.33.

Glasner shared his frustration in his post-match interview, stating this was the story of their season so far, punished for missed chances.

The Eagles Battle With Expected Goals (XG)

Across both domestic and European competition, the story is painfully consistent. In the league, Palace have posted 20.6 xG but scored just 16. On the continent, they’ve generated 9.20 xG yet returned only 6 goals and every metric screams that this side should be scoring more.

Every match, however, paints a picture of a team repeatedly punished for it's own misfortunes.

Jean-Phillipe Mateta has been a standout performer since Glasner's arrival back in February 2024. The forward has netted 46 goals in all competitions in the last two and a half seasons, leading to a first international call-up last month. Despite eight goals in 21 matches this season, many Palace fans have grown somewhat frustrated with Mateta.

With an xG of 10.64 in the Premier League and Europa Conference League, Mateta has netted just six goals.

Missing nearly 5 xG over the two competitions has seen Palace drop points more than the fans would like.

Mateta, who picked up a hat-trick at home to Bournemouth in a 3-3 draw, missed a golden opportunity to win it with the last kick of the game. Palace's struggles in front of goal are becoming an issue The Eagles can no longer ignore. Chance after chance seems to fall their way, yet the conversion rarely follows.

Last night’s defeat only amplified the problem: they found themselves in prime scoring positions multiple times, only to delay the shot, mishit the ball, or place it too close to the goalkeeper.

Their movement is excellent, they're consistently in the right areas, yet the end product continues to fail them.

Palace aren’t just missing chances; they’re missing the ruthless finisher Mateta is supposed to be.

Adapting to English Football

One of Palace's new comers, Yeremy Pino, has impressed so far in a Palace shirt with his ability to create chances.

However, the Spanish international has missed too many chances in his short time in England.

Pino missed two one-on-ones in the game on Thursday night, one leading to the free kick in which Strasbourg scored and took the lead. For Pino, it's been a story of two differences. The forward has netted twice for Palace, a tidy finish away at Anfield and most recently, a screamer away at Wolves.

But the new comer can't seem to put away those crucial, easy chances.

Where Do They Go From Here?

Fixing finishing isn’t as simple as flicking a switch: confidence needs rebuilding and, training sessions need refining.

Some players may need rotation or even replacement, but what is essential is that Palace do not abandon the attacking patterns that have made them such effective chance-creators. The underlying process is strong. The structure is healthy. The foundations are promising.

If the finishing ever clicks, Palace could transform into one of the Premier League’s most deadly performers but, until then, matches like last night - dominating only to lose - will remain painfully familiar.

For now, Crystal Palace stands as a problem in modern football, a team doing everything right except the one thing that matters most.

A masterclass not in fluid attacking play or clever tactical design, but in the art of woeful finishing.