Burnley Seal Stunning Comeback Victory Against Crystal Palace After Own Goal
Burnley were dead and buried. Trailing 2-0 to the £48 million striker Jørgen Strand Larsen's first goals for Crystal Palace after just half an hour, it looked inevitable that Scott Parker's side would match their club record 17-match winless run in the top flight that dates all the way back to 1890. Yet after all the misery of the last three months for their supporters, everything changed in the space of six scintillating minutes just before half-time.
Rapid Turnaround Before the Break
Burnley hit back through Hannibal Mejbri, Jaidon Anthony, and an own goal from Jefferson Lerma to record only a second away win of the season since being promoted. It keeps alive their slim hopes of survival, although Parker will know it will take several more results like this to conjure up the greatest of escapes.
For Palace, it was a stark reminder that they are not out of the woods yet despite ending their own 12-match winless run with a cathartic victory over Brighton. Oliver Glasner's side appeared to be coasting towards only their third home win in the league this season that would have eased their own relegation concerns but were guilty of allowing their opponents back into the game with sloppy defending.
Poor Omens for Burnley
The omens weren't great for Burnley beforehand. Parker had never won a league match in London as an away manager and their team bus got caught in heavy traffic, causing kick-off to be delayed by 10 minutes. Despite struggling in front of their own supporters this season, Palace hadn't lost here to a promoted side since 2017 – a 4-0 defeat to Sunderland.
There seemed to be little chance of that sequence ending when Strand Larsen hammered home a sumptuous through ball from Adam Wharton. The Norwegian's diving header guided home the second from Jefferson Lerma's cross after a mistake from Kyle Walker that appeared to have made Burnley's task impossible.
Lifeline and Controversy
But the visitors were handed a lifeline when the outstanding Mejbri beat Dean Henderson with an excellent finish and then they found themselves ahead at the break. There was a huge question mark over whether Lesley Ugochukwu handled the ball in the centre circle before finding Anthony for the equaliser but there was no doubt about his finish into the bottom corner.
The unfortunate Lerma could then only divert the ball into his own net after a header from Bashir Humphreys had been saved by Henderson. Palace left the pitch to a smattering of boos. They were sent out early for the second half having no doubt been on the end of some choice words from Glasner.
Stubborn Defence Holds Firm
But despite the introduction of £35 million forward Brennan Johnson, Palace struggled to break down a stubborn defence. Daichi Kamada missed the target from a Daniel Muñoz cross before Martin Dubravka's brilliant save denied Ismaïla Sarr in injury time. But it was Burnley's small band of delighted travelling supporters who were able to celebrate a rare victory as their team held out.
Defender Jefferson Lerma, on the ground, watched the ball roll over the line, his own goal making it 3-2 to Burnley. This moment encapsulated the dramatic turnaround in a match that will be remembered for its intensity and unexpected outcome.
