Second-bottom Burnley ended a frustrating 16-game winless run with a remarkable comeback victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday evening. Scott Parker’s side fought back from two goals down to secure a 3-2 win, fueled by a seven-minute Crystal Palace collapse.
The match began brightly for Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace, with Jørgen Strand Larsen marking his home debut with two early goals. However, Burnley, delayed by traffic congestion leading to a delayed kick-off, responded with a spirited fightback. Hannibal Mejbri ignited the comeback with a goal, followed by a smart finish from Jaidon Anthony to level the score.
The turning point arrived just before halftime when a header from Bashir Humphreys created chaos in the Palace defense, ultimately leading to a Jefferson Lerma own goal. This gave Burnley a lead they would fiercely defend throughout the second half.
Despite a determined effort from Palace after the break, Burnley’s defense proved resilient. Martin Dubravka, the Burnley goalkeeper, produced a crucial save in stoppage time to deny Ismaila Sarr an equalizer, preserving the victory for the Clarets.
The defeat extends Crystal Palace’s winless run at Selhurst Park to eight games, dropping them to 14th in the Premier League table. Burnley’s victory, meanwhile, cuts the gap to 18th-place West Ham to six points, offering a glimmer of hope in their fight for survival.
Glasner Critical of Sloppy Defending
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner was visibly frustrated with his team’s defensive performance, stating they didn’t deserve to win. “When you defend so sloppily, like we did in these eight or nine minutes, you deserve to lose,” Glasner said. He lamented his team’s loss of focus and basic defensive principles, highlighting a pattern of complaining and a lack of urgency after taking a comfortable lead.
“We controlled the game, scoring nice goals, and look at what the players did. Forgot about the basics, about the duels, second balls, defending, complaining about the referee’s decision, their handball, stopping to play,” Glasner explained. “We are still complaining when we concede a goal. Maybe it felt too easy to be too low up, controlling the game. Then we got punished in the second half, we tried everything. But if you throw away the game like we did in these eight-nine minutes, you don’t deserve to win, and that’s why we have to accept it. But honestly, it’s very tough today.”
Parker: A Performance Few Teams Could Achieve
Burnley manager Scott Parker was effusive in his praise for his team’s resilience and determination. “describe to you, last weekend, we were at home, and the adversity, the stress, the clear frustration on everyone. That performance tonight, I’m sorry, there aren’t many teams that could do that,” Parker said. He emphasized the significance of the comeback, particularly given the team’s recent struggles and the hostile reception they received from their own fans in their previous home fixture.
“Not where we are, not where we currently sit, and then coming out on the home fixture against West Ham, where we’re practically getting booed off the pitch by our own fans. I understand that, I’m not criticising that, I’ve got my views on that, but to come here, be 2-0 down, that just speaks [volumes] absolutely,” Parker continued. “I’ve got four sons and the one thing I say to them is exactly that. If ever there was learning for them, young boys of mine, is tonight. Because in those moments, in these moments, when people could fold, that group, what you see tonight, yeah, it was unbelievable.”
Match Statistics
The match was a thrilling encounter, with both teams showcasing attacking intent. While detailed statistics weren’t provided, the scoreline of 3-2 reflects the end-to-end nature of the game and the dramatic shifts in momentum.
Burnley’s comeback was particularly impressive, demonstrating their ability to respond to adversity and capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes. The seven-minute period leading up to halftime proved decisive, shifting the momentum firmly in their favor.
For Crystal Palace, the defeat is a setback in their pursuit of a mid-table finish. Glasner will be keen to address the defensive vulnerabilities that were exposed during the second half, particularly the lack of concentration and discipline that led to the crucial goals.
The result has significant implications for the relegation battle, with Burnley gaining valuable ground on their rivals. While they still have a considerable amount of work to do, the victory provides a much-needed boost in confidence and a renewed sense of belief that they can avoid the drop.
