“Opportunities missed. Board inept. Fans disrespected. Glasner finished,” read the banner unfurled by the Crystal Palace supporters behind Dean Henderson’s goal after barely 30 seconds of their meeting with bottom side Wolves. If it was meant to inspire a first league victory here since 1 November then it somehow had the desired effect.
Having huffed and puffed against a side playing with 10 men for half an hour after Ladislav Krejci was shown a second yellow card for stupidly kicking the ball away, it looked like being another miserable afternoon for Oliver Glasner. But when Evann Guessand’s winner went in during the final minute of normal time, there was an explosion of joy as some of the frustrations of the previous few weeks suddenly melted away.
While it remains doubtful whether Glasner can remain in his post much longer given the friction that still exists in south London, at least a second win in their last 16 in all competitions will ease their relegation fears. For Rob Edwards, there was plenty to be proud of despite his side failing to secure the point they needed to match Derby’s 2008 record low tally after Tolu Arokodare’s penalty was saved in the first half. That unwanted record will surely be avoided given the improvements they have made since Edwards’s appointment.
