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Fourth place, a talented squad, and a top-class boss - this is Crystal Palace's most impressive Premier League campaign ever.

Sunday's 2-1 triumph at Fulham, sealed by Marc Guehi's late goal, lifted Crystal Palace into the coveted Champions League places.

With 26 points from their first 15 games, a club best, Palace have firmly entered the conversation for a place in next season's Champions League.

Opening the scoring in his 50th game, Eddie Nketiah spoke of limitless potential, with manager Oliver Glasner also quick to applaud his squad's efforts.

"I could mention many players but it was a huge team effort - that makes me very proud, he said. "That is the foundation of our current position.

Yet, this praise follows closely on the heels of Glasner's frank critique of the club's lack of summer spending after a defeat to Manchester United.

With his contract expiring at season's end and uncertainty surrounding key players like Guehi and Adam Wharton, underlying concerns persist at Selhurst Park.

The pressing questions are whether the board can secure the manager's future and if the squad can continue this run to make history.

'An Unprecedented Managerial Era'

Arriving in February 2024 after impressive spells in Germany, Oliver Glasner has transformed Crystal Palace.

Under his leadership, the team has broken its Premier League points record twice and clinched a historic first major trophy by winning the FA Cup.

European football followed the cup win, and the team also defeated Liverpool to claim the Community Shield, adding more silverware.

A prominent pundit remarked: "The current setup represents the pinnacle of managerial and playing talent the club has ever seen. Fans could never have dreamed of such success before his appointment."

Their home form has been exceptionally strong, making it a daunting venue for visiting teams.

On their travels, the team's performances have arguably been superior.

Since Glasner's first match in March 2024, only Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City have accrued more Premier League points on the road than Crystal Palace.

However, a recent defeat led to pointed comments from the manager regarding a lack of squad investment following a big-money departure.

Every league game following a European match this term has ended in defeat, underscoring problems with roster size and fixture congestion.

Glasner pointedly stated the club had "squandered" the opportunity for an even better season by not spending. A pundit noted: "His candid nature after setbacks is something the hierarchy must endure, considering his unparalleled success with the team."

Insufficient Depth for a Packed Schedule

The manager's driving ambition is unmistakable.

He evidently feels the squad's size is a constraint, and his public remarks could be a catalyst for winter signings.

With Glasner's contract set to expire in June, the club's ambitions must quickly align with the manager's if the current success is to be prolonged.

A former professional goalkeeper commented: "The contract talk is a huge topic... The board should be desperate to secure his future. His achievements have been extraordinary. His reaction to a defeat showed he feels unsupported. The board's actions in the near future will be crucial."

Guehi's contract also concludes this summer, and interest from top clubs in the England defender is expected to grow.

Playmaker Adam Wharton is similarly a man in high demand across the league.

Stars such as Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta will have their own ambitions of reaching the Champions League.

"Insufficient depth prevents rotation and adds pressure in the league. A top-six finish, while amazing, is a fiercely contested target," the pundit added.

While this is Palace's most glorious period, it is also a fragile one, with the specter of a breakup threatening to derail a magnificent season.