Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has applauded the influence of Chrisantus Uche and the entire bench after their hard-fought 2–1 victory over Fulham, insisting that the substitutes played a decisive role in securing all three points at Selhurst Park.
Uche, who came on in the second half, immediately injected energy, physicality, and persistence into Palace’s attacking play, causing several problems for the Fulham defence.
“Uche gave a very good fight against their defenders. He came in with hunger, created chances, and helped us push higher up the pitch,” Glasner said.
The Nigerian youngster, still adapting to Premier League intensity, impressed his manager with his work rate and commitment. Glasner noted that these are qualities Palace will need throughout the season.
“His effort was excellent. He showed courage, pressed well, and added something different to our attack,” the Austrian coach stated.
Glasner extended his praise beyond Uche, highlighting the collective contribution of the substitutes who came on determined to influence the match.
“Every substitute made an impact. They brought energy, discipline, and quality. That made the difference,” he added.
Palace had to work hard to secure the result after Fulham threatened late in the match, but Glasner said the character shown by his players was exactly what he wants to see moving forward.
“It was not easy, but the team stayed focused and fought until the end. This is the mentality we need,” he said.
The manager also downplayed concerns about the league table, emphasizing that performance improvement and long-term consistency matter more at this stage of the season.
“Where we are on the table is less important to me now. What matters is how we play, how we grow, and how we respond in difficult moments,” he explained.
Glasner believes the victory shows Palace are building depth and resilience, two qualities essential for navigating the demands of Premier League football.
“This squad is growing. The players coming off the bench are ready to give everything, and that is a big positive for us,” he concluded.
