Oliver Glasner admits to being surprised by Crystal Palace's 10th finish

Oliver Glasner has admitted he did not expect his first three months as Crystal Palace manager to end with a Premier League exit.

Austrian coach Glasner took over in February with the Eagles in danger of relegation in 16th place but Sunday's 5-0 win over Aston Villa ensured they finished in the top half for the first time.

Jean Philippe-Mateta scored a hat-trick at Selhurst Park to take his tally since Glasner's appointment to 13 goals in as many games, while Eberechi Eze also scored twice.

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This victory also means that Palace have scored 57 goals, the most they have ever managed in a top-flight campaign.

On their impressive finish to the season, Glasner said: “I don't know how many points we have left.” [from the top half when I started], but I didn't focus on the table. Never.

“Since the first day we have been focused and focused on the team, on the players, what we need to improve, what we need to win games.

“We've worked really hard, and now we're all getting the reward.”

'Confidence' about the future of Eze and Olise

That Eze and Michael Olise drove was another important reason for the team's rise in fortunes under Glasner.

The dynamic duo have been regularly linked with a move away from South London but the 49-year-old believes he can convince them to remain part of his project next season.

He added: “I am very confident. They have a contract, they are here, no one told me now that they will leave.

“We all did what we could as Crystal Palace, we showed them that we have the desire, we showed them how we want to play, which way we want to go, which journey we want to ride together, and how they can play. an important part of it.

“They can show their qualities, show their strength, show their personality, be able to express their feelings, and that suits each other.

“This is what we can do, and if anything else happens, it's part of football.”