Oliver Glasner said this week that his impatience is both his greatest strength and his greatest weakness.
The long wait for this 3-0 victory over Burnley victory must have been excruciating for him and Crystal Palace then, but three second-half goals in the space of ten minutes lifted them to 14th and now open up an eight-point buffer between themselves and the bottom three.
Some will point out that relegation-threatened Burnley were kind first opponents for Glasner, but his side still had to beat them. And comfortably, in the end, they did.
Palace flew out of the gates at the beginning of both halves, dominating the ball but delivering nothing more than mere promise for their engaged home supporters.
Understandably, with the Eagles faithful so excited by the start of the Glasner regime, there was optimism that this could be a fun day in the sun after Jefferson Lerma’s blazed effort on two minutes was followed by a succession of Palace corners.
Burnley stayed resolute, though — totally out of character for a side who had already shipped 55 Premier League goals this season before this weekend.
Palace’s new manager stood, still and pensive, on the touchline, soaking up his first Selhurst Park match-day experience as Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, unavailable for this game but surely to become important players if Glasner’s tenure proves a success, watched on from the stands.
Many Burnley fans have felt Vincent Kompany’s continued trust in 21-year-old goalkeeper James Trafford has cost their side at times this season, but Trafford was equal to Joachim Andersen’s shunted effort and Odsonne Edouard’s close-range header, keeping the Clarets on level terms.
Just before the break, though, Trafford was at fault as Burnley’s afternoon became a whole lot more difficult. Jefferson Lerma pounced upon his slipped pass into Josh Brownhill, whose shirt tug as Lerma went through on goal left the referee with no choice. Brownhill was dismissed.
Palace kept searching for they way in, Adam Wharton curling an effort just wide and then substitute Naouirou Ahamada forcing a strong hand from Trafford.
But Palace would get their reward for their perseverance. Chris Richards stooped to thump a diving header past Trafford from Jordan Ayew’s fine cross, as the hosts took the lead on 68 minutes.
To the credit of Ahamada and fellow youngster Matheus Franca, they both made Palace better after their introductions. It was Franca whose assist gave Palace their second goal just three minutes later — Ayew stabbing home after the ball had bypassed Trafford.
And then a woefully careless loss of possession by Burnley allowed Palace to canter into open turf with a two-on-one. Franca ran most of the length of the pitch before being upended illegally once he reached the box. Vitinho had been on for less than a minute but now conceded a penalty. Up stepped Mateta to coolly make it three and a handsome victory on Glasner’s opening day.
David Datro Fofana’s header with four minutes to go was then ruled out for offside as Burnley took another dent on an all-round miserable outing. Palace’s work was long done and well done. Patience rewarded.
