Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira makes ‘pressure’ admission as he fights to save job against Manchester City

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira admits he loves the pressure that comes with being manager of Crystal Palace as reports claim he’s fighting to save his job in south London.

The Eagles have a season defining week where they face title-chasing Manchester City, a Brighton and Hove Albion side who are chasing European football and Mikel Artetas’ Arsenal who are favourites to win their first league title since 2004.

Vieira’s Crystal Palace team are without a league win this year and have scored the least goals from open play this campaign, only nine. Their highest scorer, Wilfried Zaha missed four games due to a hamstring injury but made a return over the weekend to help as the pressure valve turns on.

According a report on TalkSport, the narrow defeat to Aston Villa has caught the attention of the Palace board who are said to be concerned about recent results and worried that the team could be sleepwalking into a relegation battle.

Asked if the pressure of not winning a game is finally getting to him, Vieira said it’s the same pressure from his first game in charge at Chelsea.

He told reporters:“Of course, we are aware and concerned about our position in the table.

“But it’s important for us to keep calm, keep working and keep improving.

“We have a tough week ahead of us - it will be important to do our best and get points.

“If we want points, we have to play well. We have to keep doing the right things, but at the same time, it’s important for us to understand what part of the game we have to improve.

“Not winning means we’re missing something. The table is what it is. We’re still five points clear but anything can happen.

“We have to know that we’re a part of those nine or 10 teams who have to fight to stay in the Premier League.”

“Pressure? I had the pressure since the first time I came into the club. I had the pressure since the first game against Chelsea (in August 2021). This is what the Premier League is about.

“Every manager has pressure to perform, to play in European competition or stay in the Premier League. I see myself as no different from any manager.”

The Eagles boss also admitted he had no new injury concerns and would be able to name a strong team for the visit of the Champions.

He added: “Sam [Johnstone] still has a couple of weeks to go - he hasn’t trained with the team yet. Will Hughes was sick at the start of the week. He trained today - we will have to see how he is tomorrow.”

Manchester City know they will squeeze the gap on first place Arsenal to just two if they can win at Selhurst with Arsenal going to Fulham on Sunday.