Burnley fight from the brink to stun Crystal Palace and ease pressure on Scott Parker in tense Selhurst Park showdown

After a difficult start to the year, Crystal Palace looked like they might finally be turning a corner.

February began with hope as their record signing, Jorgen Strand Larsen, struck twice to give the Eagles a commanding 2-0 lead over Burnley.

For a few moments, the air at Selhurst Park felt lighter, and fans dared to imagine a recovery after a miserable January.

But the mood quickly soured.

In just seven astonishing minutes, Burnley overturned the deficit, leaving Palace stunned and their chairman, Steve Parish, likely wondering why the club hadn’t adequately replaced Marc Guehi in defense.

The comeback not only salvaged Burnley’s fight for survival but also put pressure back on Palace’s fragile form.

Burnley Roars Back to Life

Burnley’s performance was nothing short of remarkable.

Facing what could have been their 17th consecutive Premier League match without a win, the Clarets were on the brink of despair.

Yet, spurred on by Jaidon Anthony and Marcus Edwards, they launched a breathtaking three-goal blitz in seven minutes to snatch victory.

For manager Scott Parker, the result was a huge relief.

“To be 2-0 down here and come back like that is absolutely incredible,” Parker said emotionally.

“When everyone doubted us, we pulled together and got a result. Not many teams in our situation could do that.”

The win also sends a message to Burnley’s hierarchy that Parker still has the backing of his players, even after some fan unrest following the defeat to West Ham.

Despite the positive signs, Burnley remains nine points adrift of safety, so more performances like this will be crucial if they are to avoid a third straight relegation.

Palace’s Defensive Fragility Exposed

The match also highlighted a glaring problem for Crystal Palace: the hole left by Marc Guehi.

Without their former captain, Palace’s defense has looked vulnerable.

The backline, featuring Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, and Jefferson Lerma, had looked solid against Brighton, but Burnley’s relentless pressure exposed serious gaps.

Manager Oliver Glasner did not mince words after the collapse. “When you defend so sloppily like we did in those seven minutes, we deserved to lose,” he said.

Glasner criticized his players’ mentality and lack of leadership, pointing out that the team seemed to believe the game was already won.

“It looks like they thought the game was over, and we threw it away,” he added.

This defensive lapse underscores why Palace need not only talented players upfront but also consistency and leadership at the back.

Strand Larsen Shines Despite Defeat

For all the defensive disappointments, there were bright spots for Palace.

Jorgen Strand Larsen, who joined for a club-record £48 million despite a slow first half of the season, showed why the Eagles invested heavily.

The Norwegian striker netted both goals for Palace, bringing his Premier League tally for the season to three.

Strand Larsen’s debut goals came after a strong showing at Brighton, proving that a fresh start can sometimes reinvigorate a struggling player.

Glasner praised his new forward, noting his work ethic and quality, but emphasized that goals alone cannot compensate for defensive breakdowns.

“With this attitude and quality, he will score many goals,” Glasner said, “but we can’t allow opponents to score three when we’re 2-0 up.”

Match Facts and Standout Performances

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson 6; Lerma 5 (Riad 46 6), Lacroix 6, Richards 5.5; Munoz 6 (Pino 72 6), Wharton 7 (Uche 83), Kamada 6.5 (Hughes 72 6), Mitchell 6.5; Sarr 6.5, Guessand 6 (Johnson 58 6); Strand Larsen 7.5
Goals: Strand Larsen 17, 33
Booked: Richards, Lerma

Burnley (5-2-3): Dubravka 7; Walker 7, Laurent 7, Worrall 7, Esteve 7.5, Humphreys 7.5; Ugochukwu 7 (Florentino 87), Mejbri 7.5 (Ward-Prowse 83); Edwards 7.5 (Bruun Larsen 73 6), Fleming 7 (Foster 73 6), Anthony 8
Goals: Hannibal 39, Anthony 44, Lerma OG 45+2
Booked: Hannibal

Attendance: 23,267

Standout performers included Strand Larsen for Palace and Jaidon Anthony for Burnley, whose energy and finishing proved decisive in the remarkable comeback.

What’s Next?

For Crystal Palace, the focus must shift quickly to defensive stability.

Glasner will need to find leadership at the back and ensure his squad can maintain focus for the full 90 minutes.

Any repeat of the seven-minute meltdown against Burnley could prove catastrophic in their push for mid-table safety.

Burnley, meanwhile, can take confidence from the win. Parker’s men have shown that they are capable of fighting back from seemingly impossible situations.

Maintaining this momentum could be vital as they chase the points needed to avoid relegation.

Summary

Crystal Palace’s 2-3 home defeat to Burnley highlighted a season of contrasts.

On one hand, Strand Larsen’s goals offered hope and a glimpse of attacking promise.

On the other, defensive frailties and a collapse in the middle of the game emphasized the gaps left by Marc Guehi’s absence.

Burnley’s stunning turnaround, driven by Anthony, Edwards, and team spirit, kept their survival hopes alive and reminded everyone in the Premier League that the relegation fight is far from over.

For both teams, lessons were learned: Palace must rebuild defensively, and Burnley must sustain belief if they are to survive the season.