New Eze is Crystal Palace’s most important player

Crystal Palace are finding their way back into form in the Premier League. Oliver Glasner’s side defeated Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Thursday night to move into 13th place with 38 points. Safety may be ensured at this stage.

Uncertainty remains as Glasner moves towards the end of his tenure at Selhurst Park, but the Austrian has a chance to win back-to-back titles as the Eagles prepare for their last-16 clash with AEK Larnaca in the Conference League.

More importantly, it was a fluent performance, suggesting Palace are returning to their best form at key points in the campaign. Here’s how they do it:

How Crystal Palace can beat Spurs

Tottenham have been their biggest rivals in the Premier League this season, but Crystal Palace put pressure on the N17s and watched their opponents cower.

Palace were 1-0 down when Micky van de Ven dragged Ismaila Sarr to the ground, but Sarr was ruled offside and it was disappointing to see the goal canceled for chalk. Regardless, he converted from the spot.

Sarr would score again, but not before club-record newcomer Jorgen Strand Larsen scored his third goal in seven appearances in all competitions, joining from Wolves for £48m this winter.

Even before the red card, Palace were worth the money, not at their free-flowing best, but with the resilience the hosts were looking to build on.

In a world full of big-money blunders, Strand Larsen appears to have been a smart signing, especially considering Jean-Philippe Mateta could be set to leave at the end of the season.

Sarr and Strand-Larsen improved this season, but neither was the star of the show. That honor belonged to someone in the middle of the park.

Palace MOTM is their most important player

When Crystal Palace sold Eberechi Eze to Arsenal for £67m last summer, it felt like a huge change. After all, he was a talisman at Selhurst Park, scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Glasner’s project certainly didn’t take off this season, but Adam Wharton’s form at the center of the park could be crucial to steadying the ship and heading towards more silverware and possibly a European push in the Premier League.

Tottenham could not deal with a 22-year-old player. In short, it was a sensational performance. Wharton couldn’t play close to the ball and was aggressive when he was required to defend.

Football writer Henry Winter said he “made the game look effortless” by playing with substance as well as style. Coach Igor Tudor’s side were unable to contain him.

There is so much elegance and elegance to England’s midfield play. He had two assists that night, but had only one prior, and his willingness to get into dangerous positions and probe opposing defenses is something Glasner will have to continue to capitalize on in the coming months.

Stylistically, Wharton and Eze are nothing alike, but he steps up and takes on the central role his compatriots have played in recent years.

And like Eze, Wharton has only gotten better since joining from Blackburn Rovers in January 2023 for around £18m.

Both Palace icons started their careers in the EFL and have not spent much time in the Championship, as their quality has been noticed since the off-season.

It remains to be seen how much Wharton will achieve in Crystal Palace colors this season (and beyond), but there is no doubt that the continent’s leading players will be keen to sign him, with chairman Steve Parish already revealing such a party would cost in the region of £82m.

Searle and Strand-Larsen have been active this season, scoring several goals, but Wharton drew attention despite missing his two game-winning assists.