Crystal Palace live to fight another season in the Premier League.
A well-fought draw with Everton (in addition to poor results for Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United elsewhere) was enough to certify that Palace’s 13-year spell in the Premier League will continue.
Ismaila Sarr’s 20th goal of the season and a thrashing finish from Jean-Philippe Mateta atoned for two lapses in concentration at the start of each half, which had been ruthlessly punished by the Toffees.
It was a far better performance by the Eagles than last weekend’s collapse away against AFC Bournemouth.
In particular, Tyrick Mitchell was magnificent on Palace’s left-hand side, building on an excellent display in midweek. His defensive experience nullified Merlin Rohl, and it was his cross in the second half that set up Mateta’s equaliser.
Thomas Tuchel, who was watching on at Selhurst Park, was surely impressed.
With both Palace’s safety and their place in the Conference League final now confirmed, Oliver Glasner’s side can now focus on the last three games of the Premier League season with relatively clear minds.
The Eagles have the opportunity to match their record points total (53) should they win all of their remaining fixtures.
SARR HITS 20
Palace’s player of the season scored yet again, thrashing the ball past Jordan Pickford with his weaker left foot to equalise in the first half.
It was a well-worked goal, with an excellent passage of interplay between Sarr and Jorgen Strand Larsen before Munoz’s cross found Sarr, who finished on the second attempt.
Sarr’s strike takes him to 20 goals for the season – the most by a Palace player since Glenn Murray in the Championship over a decade ago, and then Andy Johnson before that.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (19, 23/24) and Christian Benteke (17, 16/17) fall just behind him, placing Sarr among the best strikers of Palace’s modern era.
The Senegalese international could have had a hat-trick on Sunday, misjudging a set of headers in front of goal, but should be forgiven. He has been Palace’s most clinical player all season, in a year where overperforming xG has proven elusive.
Whilst Murray’s record of 31 goals will be hard to beat in the remaining time frame, Johnson’s 22 in 04/05 remains in reach, with Sarr just three away with four to play.
Without wanting to fantasise too much, a hat trick in Leipzig would cement his place as a Palace legend, and in some style.
MITCHELL IMPRESSES IN FRONT OF TUCHEL
With Thomas Tuchel watching on from the stands, Tyrick Mitchell could hardly have chosen a better afternoon to produce one of his finest performances in a Palace shirt.
The left-back was imperious from the first whistle – confident in possession, aggressive in the press, and dominant defensively.
Merlin Rohl, who caused constant problems for Manchester City last Monday, was snuffed out by Mitchell, and his replacement, Tyrique George, had no better fortunes against the Palace academy graduate.
But it was going forward where Mitchell truly caught the eye. He has been Palace's most ambitious and adventurous player in that regard for the best part of a month now, and Sunday was no different.
He carried the ball with purpose, won fouls when play looked to have broken down, and recycled possession calmly under pressure.
The moment that mattered most came in the second half. Mitchell took on Rohl on the left-hand side, beating him for pace, and delivered a low cross into the six-yard box. Jean-Philippe Mateta, fresh off the bench, duly obliged.
It was the assist that Mitchell’s performance deserved.
Mitchell is the most in-form of England’s left-backs. Tuchel must consider him for his World Cup squad, or risk losing the best left-sided 1-on-1 defender in the current generation.
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