USMNT defender Chris Richards scored his first Premier League goal as Crystal Palace kicked off the Oliver Glasner era with a 3-0 victory over relegation-destined Burnley on Saturday.
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Glasner was appointed as Roy Hodgson’s successor this week with the Eagles sat 15th in the PL table. After the debut win, Palace (28 points) now sit 14th, eight points clear of relegation and seven points off the top half.
Burnley were reduced to 10 men in the 35th minute after goalkeeper James Trafford played a tragic pass to Josh Brownhill, leaving the midfielder little choice but to foul Jefferson Lerma, who read the pass all the way and stepped up to win the ball back, as he went in one-on-one against Trafford. Brownhill tugged at Lerma’s shirt and clipped his heels just outside the penalty area and was sent off for the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
Crystal Palace had all the possession they wanted (and some more) from there, as they pinned Burnley deeper and deeper inside their defensive third. Eventually, just as frustration was beginning to set in at Selhurst Park, the breakthrough that opened the floodgates arrived.
After their corner kick was initially cleared away in the 68th minute, Crystal Palace recycled possession and got the ball to Jordan Ayew on the right wing. Ayew lofted a cross toward the back post where it found Chris Richards stooping low to head home his first goal for Palace. Richards started on the left side of Glasner’s back-three, where he had 65 touches (largely in his own half) and completed 53 of 57 passes as Palace had most of the ball and Burnley rarely threatened.
Three minutes later, it was 2-0 as Crystal Palace broke down the left wing and Franca played a low cross through the penalty area. It nearly found Jean-Philippe Mateta at the near post, but settled for Ayew at the back post.
Just as soon as they went from 1-0 to 2-0, Palace won a penalty and made it 3-0 as Mateta stepped to the spot and gave Trafford no chance. Franca won the penalty as well, when he was taken down by Vitinho just inside the penalty area.
Another season, another finish in The Crystal Palace Zone
In 10 Premier League seasons, Palace have never finished higher than 10th (which they did just once) nor lower than 15th (also once), with eight (and soon-to-be nine) seasons between 11th and 14th. The Crystal Palace Zone. It is difficult not to wonder what this season could have been if Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze had both been healthy from the start and through the campaign. And still, their abbreviated contributions loom rather large: six goals, three assists in eight starts and, most importantly, nine points won.
Olise has the talent required to take Crystal Palace out of The Crystal Palace Zone, but Crystal Palace might fall outside of The Michael Olise Zone this summer if one or two of the PL’s giants come calling.
What’s next?
Crystal Palace will be back in action next Saturday (10 am ET), when they travel from south to north London to take on Tottenham. Burnley will welcome Bournemouth to Turf Moor on Sunday (8 am ET).
Player ratings - Crystal Palace vs Burnley
Crystal Palace vs Burnley, final score: 3-0
Goalscorers: Chris Richards (68'), Jordan Ayew (71'), Jean-Philippe Mateta (79' - PK)
35th minute - RED CARD - Josh Brownhill sent off for DOGSO foul on Jefferson Lerma
Correct call? Burnley's Josh Brownhill is sent off after dragging down Jefferson Lerma on the edge of the box. 🟥
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 24, 2024
📺 @Peacock | #CRYBUR pic.twitter.com/7NpUW0DOrg
68th minute - GOAL - Chris Richards stoops low and heads home his first for Crystal Palace
72nd minute - GOAL - Jordan Ayew slides in to finish at the back post
79th minute - GOAL - Jean-Philippe Mateta converts from the penalty spot for 3-0
Crystal Palace vs Burnley: How to watch, live stream link, team news
Kickoff: 10am ET, Saturday
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Crystal Palace starting lineup
Johnstone — Ward, Andersen, Richards — Munoz, Lerma, Wharton, Mitchell — Ayew, Edouard, Mateta
Burnley starting lineup
Trafford — Taylor, Esteve, O’Shea, Assignon — Odobert, Brownhill, Berge, Gudmundsson — Amdouni, Fofana
Crystal Palace focus, injuries, team news
Jordan Ayew was the hero for the attack-short Eagles in the draw at Everton, but young midfielder Adam Wharton was quietly very good and goalkeeper Sam Johnstone rang up three saves and 13 recoveries.
OUT: Michael Olise (hamstring), Rob Holding (ankle), Cheick Doucoure (achilles - out for season), Marc Guehi (knee), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Eberechi Eze (hamstring), Will Hughes (ankle)
Burnley focus, injuries, team news
Vincent Kompany simply must rally his Clarets after they were smashed by Arsenal at Turf Moor. Maybe an away day can be the tonic. Josh Brownhill has been a silver lining in this season and doesn’t look anywhere near quitting.
OUT: Nathan Redmond (hamstring), Luca Koleosho (knee), Jordan Beyer (thigh), Lyle Foster (undisclosed), Aaron Ramsey (knee)