Crystal Palace 3 Burnley 0: Clarets’ relegation crisis deepens as Oliver Glasner kicks off Eagles reign in style
OLIVER GLASNER warned fans not to expect miracles immediately - but he might just have been lying.
Even without the influential Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, responsible for 39 per cent of their goals this season, Glasner became the first Crystal Palace boss to win his first Premier League game since Alan Pardew in 2015 and he did it in style.
Pardew started his spell with victories over Tottenham and Burnley, and if Glasner can replicate that by winning in North London next Saturday, he will already be on course to achieve his first target - keeping Palace in the top-flight.
They are now eight points clear of the relegation zone and 18th place Luton are next to visit Selhurst Park.
Not that Glasner was looking down anyway - stating that he would not have taken the job if he was concerned about relegation.
On this evidence, Palace supporters should not be either.
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With Glasner at the helm, there could finally be some light at the end of the tunnel.
"Scoring goals, it's what fans want to see" was the Austrian's sharp response when asked about his philosophy.
And the 49-year-old did not disappoint.
It took 68 minutes for the first to arrive but after that, it was a case of how many.
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Palace eventually settled at three for their biggest Prem victory since April.
But it was not always heading that way despite Palace’s bright start matching the vibrant atmosphere inside Selhurst Park.
Glasner’s name was sung throughout the first five minutes and Palace could have scored twice during that period.
Firstly, Charlie Taylor nearly marked his return with a bizarre own goal after his volley back to James Trafford was misjudged by the Burnley keeper and landed just wide of his goal.
Jefferson Lerma then fired narrowly over following a well-worked corner as the Eagles craved a fast start under the new regime.
Palace were in complete control, but it took until midway through the half before Trafford was called upon – palming Joachim Andersen’s effort away from danger.
Such was their impressive start, the Clarets were wasting time from the 25th minute, while all the visiting supporters had to shout about was giving stick to ex-Blackburn man Adam Wharton every time he took a corner.
Well, that and applauding Trafford for an excellent point-blank save from Odsonne Edouard’s header at the back post.
But Trafford completely let them down 10 minutes before the break when his foolish pass sold Josh Brownhill short on the edge of the box and when he brought Lerma down, referee Lewis Smith had little choice but to send him off.
Edouard skimmed the bar from the resulting free-kick, while Tyrick Mitchell was denied his second goal against Burnley this season by Trafford, albeit when in an offside position.
All that was missing from Glasner’s first 45 minutes in charge was a goal and while frustrations were growing from the home faithful, Palace were still applauded off at the break.
The breakthrough almost came just before the hour mark when Wharton, fortunate to have received a talking to and not a second yellow for a lunge on Josh Cullen, sent a speculative effort the wrong side of the post.
It was beginning to feel like one of those days but moments after substitute Naouirou Ahamada forced Trafford into yet another sharp save, Burnley finally caved.
A corner was worked back to Jordan Ayew and his teasing cross found a grateful Chris Richards unmarked to head home.
Such was the excitement, one overenthusiastic Palace supporter invaded the pitch, although after forcing a steward to slip over, he was quickly dealt with.
And within four minutes it was game over.
Mitchell and the lively Matheus Franca combined well down the left with the latter squaring for Ayew to grab his second of the week.
There was even time for Jean-Phillipe Mateta to get in on the act as Vitinho bundled over Franca in the box and the Frenchman sent Trafford the wrong way from 12-yards.
David Datro Fofana thought he grabbed a late consolation for the visitors, but Lorenz Assignon was adjudged to have been in an offside position and VAR chalked it off.
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Three points and a clean sheet - not since the win at Burnley on November 4 have Palace been able to say that.
It was just one small step, but Palace will be feeling Glasner All Over.