Patrick Vieira has been sacked as Crystal Palace manager with the club currently three points above the relegation zone after suffering three consecutive 1-0 losses, having failed to win a single match since December 31. Defeat to Brighton in the A23 Derby proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back, with the Frenchman receiving his marching orders after taking charge in July 2021 on a three-year contract.

Pre World Cup

Vieira’s side have been on a wretched run of form since the World Cup with just one win in their 13 games since the resumption of the Premier League. Palace weren’t exactly scoring for fun before the break but there was a certain level of ‘game management’ that allowed them to get over the line in tough games.

Three home wins across October and November against now relegation rivals Leeds, Wolves and Southampton - all by a single goal, typified much of what was good about the Viera era. Absorbing pressure with a solid shape and a cohesive team ethic and then allowing the creative players to express themselves in the final third.