‘It’s embarrassing’ – Oliver Glasner says his Crystal Palace side fully deserved to lose against Leeds on Saturday night.
A double from Dominic Calvert-Lewin inspired Leeds to a 4-1 victory, with Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach also finding the net to extend the hosts’ lead, while Justin Devenny pulled back a late consolation.
The result sees Leeds in 16th with 19 points from 17 games played, while Palace are 8th with 26 points from the same amount of games played.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner speaking to Sky Sports:Â “Very disappointing performance today. Couldn’t defend set plays, honestly it’s embarrassing. Couldn’t match their physicality today. Today is the first game [this season] we fully deserved to lose.
“In three days we have a chance at the Emirates, against the team that is the best maybe at set plays to do it better.
“They played man-to-man and we lost every single duel. We won one duel and we get the penalty. When you lose all the duels, it’s the basics, we didn’t show the basics. We thought we could pass the ball but we had no chance in the duels and then you lose every single game.”
On whether the volume of fixtures is having an impact:Â “No.”
Glasner speaking to BBC Sport:Â “We couldn’t match their physicality today. Conceding four set play goals is embarrassing.
“They had almost no chance from open play but every set play was dangerous. It is the fourth game in the last week that we are losing because we are conceding goals from set plays. We were not good enough, same at the front. We fully deserved to lose.
“No, [fatigue is] no excuse.
“I think we had the wrong mindset today. Maybe I spoke too much about tactics before the game against the 3-5-2 and not enough about the basics, because we lost every second ball. It was the basics. They were much better than we were today. You have to do the basics first, then you can talk about tactics.
“Today everybody should be disappointed and think what they can do better, I always start with myself. I will find the right answer and let the players know tomorrow.”
“Honestly it’s embarrassing!” 😤
Oliver Glasner says Crystal Palace fully deserved to lose against Leeds. pic.twitter.com/vt1PvU1cq4
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 20, 2025
Oliver Glasner storms off, but gets lost and can’t find the tunnel 😂 #lufc pic.twitter.com/YIxUue1g13
— Josh Cawthorne (@cawthornejosh) December 20, 2025
Farke speaking to Sky Sports:Â “We have played the best away team in the league. I was always nervous until the last second. It’s football, sometimes strange things happen. Crystal palace are so difficult to play against but in the end it was so, so enjoyable for us.
“Sometimes you need a bit of luck but we know set-pieces are also a strength of ours. We missed a few chances so I would perhaps want a few more, and the clean sheet would have been nice.
“I’m not married to base formations. It is important that you are flexible, bring your principles to the pitch, and adapt to the strengths of your opponent. We have scored many goals in recent weeks and we want to continue in this way.”
On striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin:Â “I have made my feelings clear that he is one of the best English strikers in this league. Quality players have to show consistency and play an outstanding season. The season is not finished, he wants to score many more goals. We are all happy we have him with us but he has to keep going.”
Farke speaking to BBC Sport:Â “A great night for us, to see the scoreline and most importantly the three points. The best away team in the Premier League and we knew we needed a special plan and the lads have delivered, top class.”
On making tactical changes since the Manchester City match:Â “We had a really good start to the season but we were many games unlucky not to get results from the performance.
“On this level we have to be flexible, we know we don’t have the best individual quality, so sometimes you have to mirror the opposition and change formation within the game. It’s complex when you don’t have the best individual quality then you need to find a plan and the lads are doing really well. We are in a good position, but with 19 points we won’t achieve our goal, we have to keep going.”
On Dominic Calvert-Lewin: “He is in great form, I spoke highly about him and we are blessed and fortunate that we have him.
“He has shown this during his career when he is fit but to label him a top class player for Leeds United, he doesn’t have to show this for a couple of weeks or months, he has to show it over the whole course of the season. Right now it is too soon, he has to keep going.”
On Ethan Ampadu:Â “He definitely has no striker instincts, believe me, I see him every day in training. But about him we can sing his praises, he has for such a long time delivered on a daily basis, a weekly basis.
“He has developed into a leader and a top player. One of our key players, if not the most important player, he is my captain. He is in the heart of the game, he is fantastic.”
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi speaking to Sky Sports:Â “Everyone is disappointed, but it is definitely deserved. Leeds were the better side, they won every duel, every second ball.
“They won every first contact, every second contact and in the Premier League or in any football game, that will cost you.
“They won every duel, they wanted it more, they were more physical, credit to them. We need to learn from it.
“We will play a team [Arsenal] that is better than these guys at set pieces, so if we can do that better and contain them hopefully in our low block and spring a counter-attack then it will be good for us. But again, it is another tough game so we have to learn quickly and move on.”
On whether the volume of games is having a negative impact:Â “Nope, I don’t think you guys should give us an excuse because we aren’t giving ourselves an excuse. We’ll recover quickly and go again.”
Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin speaking to Sky Sports:Â “It was a solid home performance. We were direct with the way that we played and kept the ball in good moments.
“In the six yard box is where I need to be. When you’re in a good moment the ball starts dropping for you and that’s where I’m at.
“The belief stays the same. The belief I have in myself hasn’t changed. I want to give my best for the team and continue playing well.
“I enjoy having bodies around me. It can be a lonely role up there on your own. With bodies around you, you can link play and I think that’s why I’ve had success recently.”
On whether he is targeting an England call-up:Â “I don’t get carried away. My job remains the same whether I’m scoring or not scoring. I work hard, lead the line for my team and the rest takes care of itself.
“It’s a big result for us. We didn’t want to undo our good work over recent weeks. We’re taking it game by game and focusing on what we control.”
“Week on week I look to give my best for the team”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin reacts after adding two more goals to his tally for Leeds this season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/45GGa4Yl2S
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 20, 2025
Fans gave their reaction as Oliver Glasner says Crystal Palace fully deserved to lose against Leeds…
@Mark_CPFC: Thanks for playing the kids against KuPs. Was worth it!
@Tommy24CPFC: Only positive from tonight is that it’s finished.
@bLeedsUtd: Should’ve played your reserves tonight instead, might have given us a game.
@Nyerider: We only have ourselves to blame. No way we can compete with such a thin squad. Negligence from the owners as usual.
@APDobbs: Given we rested everyone on Thursday and threw the Europa game for today – meaning an extra two games in February – this was shambolic. Surely this sends a strong loud message to the owners that investment is needed in the squad; far too thin
@Leap_year_man: Your board are clearly to blame, your team are clearly knackered due to zero investment but tonight your entire back line and Mateta were honking.
@Clapham_Grand: Sacrificing automatic European qualification and then putting in a performance like that is a tough pill to swallow #cpfc
@JSB93x: Leeds deserved all 3 points. Battered us from the first whistle, my complaints lead back to the same one every week. How the board saw all these competitions in August and did not bolster the squad, is unacceptable. Would love to hear different views on this. #cpfc
@ThePalaceWay: We thought the glass ceiling was Europe, it’s not. It’s our ability/willingness to spend. We won a trophy. We’re playing in Europe. Yet we haven’t won a single game after a European fixture, as we don’t have the quality in depth. Because we didn’t spend. #CPFC
@Beniesta_: I’d die for Glasner honestly love the bloke, granted he’s working with his hands behind his back but he massively got this week wrong. We’d all be saying how much of a genius he was if it paid off so only fair we say just how shit it is to throw away an easy ride in Europe to let Leeds of all teams completely destroy us
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