Crystal Palace 3 Burnley 0
Oliver Glasner took charge of his first game as Crystal Palace manager following the departure of Roy Hodgson. His side welcomed Burnley to Selhurst Park, hoping for the ‘new manager effect’ to help them move further away from the bottom three.
For Burnley, time is quickly running out. It is almost like they are in some kind of Saw trap and they now have only a minute before the contraption they are in turns them inside out. Vincent Kompany is hoping that some divine miracle sees them turn into peak Barcelona overnight.
All too often they are the architects of their own downfall. As they looked to play it out from the back, Trafford passed the ball to Brownhill, who was immediately dispossessed by Lerma. The Burnley player then fouled him when he was clean through on goal.
It was an easy decision for the official who was stood just yards away. He wasted no time in producing the red card and giving the Burnley player his marching orders. At this rate, the end of season review DVD on sale at Turf Moor could come with an 18 certificate.
Credit: @CPFC
Edouard took the resulting free kick on the edge of the box but he could not get his effort up and down quick enough as it grazed the crossbar on its way over. Glasner’s side were firm favourites for the game, if they weren’t already, now with a man advantage.
The Eagles seemed a yard quicker to the ball all over the pitch. As it was worked to Wharton just outside the box, he looked to bend one in the top corner but sadly his effort did not curl enough to cause any problems for Trafford in the visitors’ goal.
For the first time in the game, Burnley ventured forward and Assignon lifted a cross into the box. It was met by the head of Fofana but he could neither get any power on the effort nor direct it towards goal. It gave some glimmer of hope for the fans who had travelled to the capital from up north.
Munoz then worked the ball to the substitute Ahamada who stung the palms of Trafford as he pushed his effort wide of the post. The corner was half cleared before The Eagles recycled it and crossed into the box for Richards to meet with a diving header to break the deadlock.
Glasner’s side seemed to grow in confidence as Mitchell found Franca out wide. He played a tempting ball across the six yard box which Ayew turned home at the back post. Selhurst Park was rocking as their team was heading to a first victory under their new manager.
Palace broke from a Burnley attack and Franca steamed into the box. He was bundled over by Vitinho and the referee paused slightly before pointing to the spot. Mateta stepped up and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way as he made it three-nil.
Credit: @CPFC
The Clarets seemed to have clawed back a consolation when Vitinho looked to make amends at the other end, cutting the ball back into the box but it was half-cleared. Cullen tried the same and as the hosts deflected it into the air, Fofana headed home to reduce the lead.
VAR was to have the final say as they ruled the goal out for offside. As the replay showed it was in fact Assignon who was the culprit as he was stood in front of Johnstone as the goal was scored. It pretty much summed up the day for the visitors.
Crystal Palace moved eight points clear of the relegation places as they look to cement their place in the Premier League. For Burnley, things are looking dire as they now sit eight points away from the safety of 17th place where Everton currently sit.
Did you enjoy this article? Please share to your social media. With one click you can help spread the word and make Solid at the Back the one-stop shop for all Premier League fans.