A firm handshake, a thoughtful puff of the cheeks, and a grateful wave to the travelling supporters: for Oliver Glasner, this moment represented a much-needed pause for breath. While Crystal Palace may not have secured a victory, their thunderous 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground offered the German manager visible signs of recovery and a crucial psychological respite.
A Month of Turmoil Draws to a Close
January proved to be a period of significant upheaval for Crystal Palace, marked by internal drama and transfer speculation. The closure of the winter transfer window brings with it a palpable sense of relief for Glasner, who is now eager to turn the page and begin anew in February. The opportunity for a fresh start cannot arrive quickly enough for the Eagles' boss.
Strand Larsen's Imminent Arrival
The build-up to this Premier League clash was overshadowed by Glasner's decision to omit Jean-Philippe Mateta, which triggered a public fallout culminating in the striker's departure to AC Milan. While Glasner avoided specifics, he confirmed the exit necessitated a replacement.
That replacement is Jorgen Strand Larsen, set to join the club in a deal worth an initial £43 million. The Norwegian forward will carry the immediate burden of providing the goals to steer Palace clear of any lingering relegation concerns.
'We had good chances in this game,' Glasner reflected. 'What we missed was a No. 9 in the box, you need someone to get on the end of those crosses. We played very well in the first half, it was even better when you think of the situation we have been in.'
Williams' Costly Handball
Despite a promising first-half display that drew praise from Glasner, Palace found themselves trailing early to a Morgan Gibbs-White strike. The game's pivotal moment arrived when a Will Hughes corner was met by a powerful Jefferson Lerma header, only for Forest's Neco Williams to deliberately handle the ball on the goal-line.
Referee Tony Harrington had no option but to show the red card, reducing the home side to ten men. Forest manager Sean Dyche refused to blame his player, stating, 'Neco was gutted as it left us 10 v 11; we were good value when it was 11 v 11 and I fancied us to go and win it.'
The resulting penalty was coolly converted by Ismaila Sarr just before half-time, delivering the equaliser and that precious moment of respite for the pacing Glasner on the touchline.
Forest's Resilience with Ten Men
Possessing a numerical advantage did not translate into dominance for Crystal Palace in the second period. They failed to register a single shot on target after the break, with Forest's substitute goalkeeper Angus Gunn enjoying a comfortable debut.
The ten men of Nottingham Forest, orchestrated superbly by the impressive Elliott Anderson, arguably looked the more likely to snatch a winner. Anderson's performance was a standout, showcasing composure, precise passing, and relentless energy that underlined his burgeoning reputation.
Looking Ahead to February
For Oliver Glasner and Crystal Palace, this draw represents a stepping stone. The green shoots of a cohesive performance were evident, particularly in a first half that made the manager go 'wow'. With the turbulent month of January now behind them and a new, expensive striker soon to be integrated, the focus shifts firmly to building momentum and climbing the Premier League table in the weeks to come.
