Sunderland could face a battle to keep on-loan RB Leipzig utility player Lutsharel Geertruida at the club next term, with Crystal Palace, Everton, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham all interested in the 25-year-old Netherlands international. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has unanimously voted that Gabriel Gudmundsson should not have received a second yellow card at Crystal Palace.
The Leeds United defender was sent off by referee Thomas Bramall in first-half stoppage time for a challenge on Ismaila Sarr in the centre circle.
Bramall appeared to forget he had already booked Gudmundsson in the 26th minute, taking several seconds to produce the red card.
The KMI Panel said that there was "minimal contact" and "the challenge was careless and not clearly reckless".
Leeds boss Daniel Farke was annoyed by the decision, which left Leeds to play the second half of the 0-0 draw with 10 men.
"Everyone in the stadium can see [it was the wrong decision]," Farke said. "It was doubtful if it was even a foul. For me, it was a clear mistake."
Second yellow cards are not currently reviewable by the video assistant referee (VAR), so Gudmundsson's red card had to stand.
However, from next season there will be the scope for the VAR to send a referee to the monitor to rescind clearly wrong second bookings.
The KMI Panel unanimously voted that the referee was correct not to show a second yellow card to Palace forward Brennan Johnson in the 74th minute.
It said Johnson's challenge "isn't reckless and doesn't stop a promising attack".
Alex Pewter
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIt is time for the international break and Palace fans are already in the middle of an extended escape from matches.
Third time was the charm against AEK Larnaca and it is still more than two weeks until Fiorentina arrive at Selhurst Park.
With the World Cup on the horizon, the club has many players aiming to represent their nations on the grandest stage - the latest being Maxence Lacroix, who received a call-up to the France squad.
Dean Henderson and Adam Wharton made it into Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad, yet there will be one Crystal Palace player questioning what else he must do to earn international recognition once again.
A contender for player of the year honours and a model of consistency, Tyrick Mitchell has continued to grow into his wing-back role at Palace. However, successive England managers have preferred midfield converts and right-sided defenders to play on the left side of defence.
It is possible that the modern game has shifted so far towards possession that there is not perceived value in the defence-first defender, under any circumstances. Perhaps during qualifications, where England are a dominant side, that is not an issue. But the World Cup is a different environment entirely.
Variety and flexibility would be the primary arguments for selecting players such as Dan Burn or Harry Maguire, as you can imagine scenarios where an aerially strong defender would be valuable in a knockout situation and to counter specific threats. The same consideration cannot be said for full-back.
The evidence suggests that when Mitchell faces the Premier League's best right wingers, be it Bukayo Saka or Mohamed Salah, he has consistently measured up to their attacking prowess.
Should the day come when England must contend with a player of the calibre of Michael Olise or must hold on to a lead, I would argue there is not a better defender Tuchel could send into the action. Alas, it appears he does not agree.
Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external
Chelsea's England Under-21 defender Josh Acheampong is seen as a good fit by Crystal Palace amid suggestions the 19-year-old might leave Stamford Bridge this summer. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Image source, PA MediaCrystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix has received his first call-up to the France national team as a replacement for injured Arsenal defender William Saliba.
Saliba played in Sunday's Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City but has withdrawn from international duty because of an ankle problem.
Lacroix, 25, will join up with the France squad that play friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the United States.
Ellie Killick
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesComing off the back of an uninspiring first leg at home and a goalless draw against a 10-man Leeds United, was far from the ideal build-up to a potentially season-defining game against AEK Larnaca. My confidence was not high and after failing to create any kind of advantage on home soil, Palace travelled away to Cyprus with a job to do.
To their credit, they started brightly. For the first time in weeks, they were able to make their abundance of possession count and show some creativity that had been missing. There was a flow to their play and the breakthrough reflected that.
I was impressed with the developed connection between Ismaila Sarr and Jorgen Strand Larsen, their link-up play looked sharp, it's just a shame there was minimal final product.
Adam Wharton has been excellent in recent weeks. His influence from midfield has continued to grow, providing a number of assists, most notably the beauty against Spurs - and I wasn't surprised he made it into Thomas Tuchel's England squad.
Yet for all Palace's control, there was still a familiar frustration. Aside from the goal they scored, Larnaca posed no attacking threat, making the goal we did concede even more frustrating. A simple lapse of concentration gave them a way back into the game.
However, there were positives off the bench. I've often been highly critical of him, but Yeremy Pino's introduction was positive. He brought energy and intent, driving the ball up the pitch and helping to shift momentum at a key point.
While perhaps slightly late, it was also great to see Oliver Glasner move away from his usual tactics and play both Strand Larsen and Jean-Philippe Mateta together. Against sides playing the low block - and down to 10 or nine men - the extra man could play a pivotal role, and it does pose the question of could we have got something from the Leeds game if Glasner had taken the risk.
It may be too early to say it, but last time Sarr scored a brace in a cup tie we went on to win the whole thing… it wasn't the prettiest, but nevertheless, the job got done and our European journey continues!
Find more from Ellie Killick at Eagle Eye View, external
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on Crystal Palace's performance as they beat AEK Larnaca 2-1 to reach the Conference League quarter-finals.
Here are some of your comments:
Mike: No hiding from the fact that this was more of the same. We can't score, Ismaila Sarr excepted. In defence we are sloppy and are unable to defend high balls into our box. Win this competition, no chance, we may just hold on to our EPL status if we are lucky!
Rich: Great that we have qualified but once again a performance that against better opposition would have yielded a different outcome. Struggle to break down teams and when we do we let ourselves down by conceding poor goals. Tonight we missed a hatful of chances that could have proved costly. However, happy to be through to the QFs.
Keith: Well another tough watch but at least Palace got over the line. Thank goodness we have Sarr to provide the goals and the woodwork-hitting entertainment!
Vic: We still lack the flair to add to Sarr's pace when up against the block. Pino definitely added that when he came on but up against 10 men we should have had more clear-cut chances. But a win is a win and now look forward to last eight.
Tom: Scored twice from open play! Nervy at times but quarter-final awaits and it's happy times again for Eagles!
England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his 35-man squad for the two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).
There are 13 players involved who weren't in the last squad back in November, while there's a first senior call-up for Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Image source, Getty ImagesCrystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's a huge achievement. We are looking forward to really making the best of these three weeks because our next competitive game is against Fiorentina at Selhurst Park.
"We will have a few days off and many of our players go to their national teams. And then we will prepare and make a friendly to stay in the rhythm.
"It's good. I expect Eddie Nketiah back, so everybody will help us because then it will be a very tight schedule until the end of the season and, hopefully, our European journey continues."
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, speaking to TNT Sports about Ismaila Sarr: "He's been top. He's been doing well in the Premier League as well. He's been scoring goals and getting assists. He's so quick!"
Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesOliver Glasner had called for his side to be more ruthless in front of goal following their 0-0 draws, against Larnaca and in the Premier League against Leeds, over the past week.
And when Ismaila Sarr latched on to Adam Wharton's deflected pass to put Palace in charge early on, his wish appeared to have been granted.
The forward was Palace's main source of inspiration throughout the night and thought he had doubled the lead midway through the first half, but was correctly flagged offside when he headed in Daichi Kamada's delivery from the left.
But worryingly from there, his side's performance fell flat.
Larnaca had barely got out of their half until they levelled when the unmarked Enric Saborit climbed above Chris Richards to head in a set-piece.
However, Sarr came to the rescue to maintain the Eagles' European dream and deserved a first senior hat-trick, with his late attempts hitting the woodwork.
On this form, he looks capable of helping his departing Austrian boss go out on a high at the end of the campaign, as Palace look to become the third team from London to lift the Conference League trophy in four years.
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?
Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies
AEK Larnaca make one alteration from the 0-0 draw in the first leg against Crystal Palace a week ago, with Petros Ionannu replacing the injured Jorge Miramon.
AEK Larnaca XI: Alomerovic, Ekpolo, Milicevic, Saborit, Angel, Pons, Ledes, Ionannu, Rohden, Ivanovic, Bajic.
Subs: Paraskevas, Demitriou, Rubio, Gurfinkel, Kyriakou, Roberge, Cabrera, Mudrazija, Loukaidis, Gonzalez.
Crystal Palace make two changes to the side that drew 0-0 against Leeds in the Premier League last Sunday as Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada return in midfield.
That means Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes drop to the bench. Eagles goalkeeper Dean Henderson remains absent through illness, so Maxence Lacroix will skipper the team.
Crystal Palace XI: Benitez, Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Johnson, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Guessand, Strand Larsen.
Subs: Matthews, Izquierdo, Clyne, Riad, Sosa, Mumoz, Lerma, Cardines, Hughes, Devenny, Pino, Mateta.
There are eight games in the Conference League on Thursday as the last 16 concludes, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Athens v Celje (17:45)
AEK Larnaca v Crystal Palace (17:45)
Mainz v Sigma Olomouc (17:45)
Rakow Czestochowa v Fiorentina (17:45)
Rayo Vallecano v Samsunspor
Shakhtar Donetsk v Lech Poznan
Sparta Prague v AZ Alkmaar
Strasbourg v Rijeka
Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated
Image source, Getty ImagesWe are getting to the stage of the season where every Premier League team is managing injuries in their squad as the sheer volume and intensity of games begins to take its toll.
But who has been most affected by injuries across the campaign so far?
Ben Dinnery, from Premier Injuries Limited, has provided the data below, showing the number of domestic injuries each top-flight team has suffered, defined by a player missing at least one Premier League game.
The data has been taken from the opening weekend up to and including 18 March.
Despite this table listing domestic injuries, it is unsurprising that the top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all competed in European competition, with the Gunners still fighting on four fronts and the Blues also coming off the back of a much-shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup victory.
Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is the fact Arsenal's 31 domestic injuries so far comfortably leads the way, illustrating the strength and depth available to Mikel Arteta to still have his side nine points clear at the top of the table.
The graphic below shows Tottenham lead the way for days missed by injured players, illustrating the issues faced by Thomas Frank, who had to cope with long-term absentees including Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
Both West Ham and Brentford are in the bottom three for domestic injuries and days missed through those injuries, while Arsenal and Villa are in the top three for both.
Chelsea drop down the table when looking at days missed, showing they have predominately suffered from short absences spread throughout the squad.
It is worth pointing out that Newcastle's two longest absences this season - Emil Krafth (120 days) and Yoane Wissa (88 days), who had not yet even trained with his new side, resulted from injuries picked up on international duty and are not factored into the figures.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Conference League game against AEK Larnaca at AEK Arena (kick-off 17:45 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
The Eagles boss confirmed Dean Henderson is "still unwell" and will not feature against the Cypriot team, but wing-back Daniel Munoz "is fine to play". Glasner added: "Overall, it is positive, we have no further injuries."
Last summer's signing Yeremy Pino has had a "lack in confidence" but the forward "is trying very hard" and "wants to show up and prove how good he is". "I have told him relax. Because in training we see what a great player he is and what a great finish he has," added Glasner.
On the first leg: "We watched the first leg back and we were very dominant. This game could have ended 2-0. But it didn't end like that. It's 0-0 and now the winner takes it all."
On Larnaca: "They're doing really well, with all their experience. They defended crosses and balls into the box really well last week. We might need to create six or seven big chances, rather than four or five. But we can do this."
Got a question about Crystal Palace? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts
If Xabi Alonso replaces Arne Slot as Liverpool manager, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton would be one of his priority summer targets. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Alex Pewter
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIt has been 13 consecutive seasons in the "greatest league in the world" for Crystal Palace, and the team are threatening at 14th.
After 30 league matches, this remains the club's third-best points return across those seasons and the team remain in Europe, yet a smattering of boos floated down at full-time against Leeds United.
Are you not entertained, we hear you ask. Well, probably not, no.
Much has been said regarding Oliver Glasner versus low blocks, and even those with differing viewpoints are struggling against the weight of evidence. Faced with 10 men or a defensive opponent happy to cede ground, Palace lack a back-up plan.
It is hard to decide whether this is purely a Crystal Palace issue, felt acutely after two tepid home displays within 72 hours, or symptomatic of this English campaign as a whole.
Two teams hurling almost every throw-in within the final 40% of the pitch into the opposing area, while the other doggedly resisted - if this is the beautiful game, it must have been having a rough Sunday.
Across past seasons, teams have been the footballing anti-heroes, opting for set-pieces and physicality to offset riches and raw talent. Palace have worn that badge with pride at times. But, as those counter-culture clubs have become the norm, that potential competitive edge disappears.
Sunday's frustration, therefore, doesn't stem from a false sense of superiority but from the failure to adapt and change the approach. As the league season fizzles out, all hopes hang in the balance on Thursday to keep the season alive. It's now Larnaca or bust.
Is the solution two up top or a back four? We are yet to find out. However, we are well aware of the oft-used, unofficial definition of insanity.
Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Leeds.
Here are some of your comments:
Crystal Palace fans
Dave: So poor going forward, Palace need to improve or could still get sucked into the relegation battle. Very lacklustre and slow moving the ball today. At times it looked like they had the ten men not Leeds. Need to do better.
Gary: Do we have to wait to the end of the season to rebuild? A manager and half the first team wanting out. Should we expect anything else than this dross?
Bob: I cannot believe that this is the club that won the FA Cup and Community Shield! I'm lost for words. There's no passion for victory, even playing against 10 men. Most of our best players have gone, including our captain, and others are leaving at the end of the season, including Glasner. I cannot wait for this season to finish and start afresh! The empty seats near the end of the game said it all.
Trevor: Poor performance from Palace. Glasner going through the motions - walking football at it's worst.
Leeds fans
Gerry: Leeds are basically donating catch-up points to their relegation rivals. Week after week we hear of missed opportunities despite "brave efforts". With West Ham and Spurs still to play, two defeats could see Leeds needing their "tremendous team spirit" to get themselves out of the Championship next season.
Dan: This is now a four horse race for survival and missing that penalty is a gut punch for us but, let's be honest, we never do well down in London so a point with 10 men has to be celebrated. We just have to get a couple more wins and we'll be safe.
Andy: Defensively sound, referee ruined the game with poor decisions, move on, a decent point under the circumstances.
Richard: The ref took two points off us today. Great team spirit to keep it 0-0, but even then I think we looked the most dangerous in the second half.
Pundits Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Crystal Palace are set to rival Leeds for Derby's 25-year-old United States forward Patrick Agyemang. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesPalace manager Oliver Glasner was forced into a change of goalkeeper for this game, with captain Dean Henderson absent because of illness. A league ever-present this season, Henderson had started 77 consecutive Premier League matches for the Eagles.
Back-up Walter Benitez made his Premier League debut and dealt well with the Leeds bombardment - particularly from long throws.
Palace were well beaten at Elland Road in December, when they were particularly vulnerable to Ethan Ampadu's long throw. Glasner admitted his side struggled with Leeds' physicality that day.
His side stood up much better here, and earned a draw that eases them closer to the 40-point mark that is so coveted by teams fearful of relegation.
But in attack Palace were blunt once again, in their second home goalless draw in four days following their Conference League stalemate against Larnaca.
Palace have scored just seven league goals from open play at home this season, the lowest total in the division - and their deficiencies were particularly exposed by failing to create many quality chances against relegation battlers playing with 10 men.
They become the first Premier League team on record not to register a shot on target against an opponent who had a player sent off in the first half.
