Crystal Palace boss on ‘great characters’ after Ismaila Sarr tribute goal celebration to Jean-Philippe Mateta in win over Ipswich

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner praised the togetherness of his squad after Ismaila Sarr’s tribute to Jean-Philippe Mateta after scoring the winner in today’s 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town.

The former Watford man produced a cool finish as the Eagles took their points tally for the last 10 games to 22 – the most in the Premier League over that period along with runaway leaders Liverpool.

Eddie Nketiah led the line in the absence of Mateta, who was sidelined after the ear injury sustained in the FA Cup win over Millwall.

The former Arsenal striker had a glorious chance to open the scoring inside the opening two minutes but his finish was kept out by goalkeeper Alex Palmer.

Home stopper Dean Henderson was required to make some stops in the first period before Eberechi Eze’s 50th-minute cross took a deflection and looped on to the right post.

Henderson was needed again to turn a well-struck Liam Delap effort away for a corner but then failed to deal with a ball just after the hour mark, with Sarr clearing away from the goal-line to deny Jaden Philogene.

Eze showed neat control to set up a chance inside the penalty area but then failed to find the target – the attacker pulling his shirt over his head in frustration. That came soon after Sarr had headed a corner down and agonisingly wide of the far upright.

Daniel Munoz – similar to Nketiah early on – had a massive chance in the 78th minute as Leif Davis gifted the Colombian the ball in a dangerous area. The wing-back had time to compose himself before shooting but Palmer kept it out with his legs.

But the goal, which had proved elusive, did come. Sarr produced a fine deft lifted finish over Palmer with eight minutes of normal time remaining.

Glasner said: “It was a tough game to play in. We expected a tough game because Ipswich are doing well – their results don’t mirror their performances. It was exactly the game we expected. We missed a few chances and the game gets harder.

“I’m really pleased we stayed patient and waited for the next situation. We missed the first, second, third and fourth but we waited for the one – we scored an amazing goal with Ismaila. His celebration shows the great spirit in the group, the great togetherness and the great characters we have.

“It is three Premier League wins in a row and four wins in a row in all competitions – all the credit to the players, they are really working hard. Now we have the chance to breathe a little bit because we have three weeks with no competitive game. It is for us to use these three weeks to be in the best shape for the crunch time of the season.

“We had some good moments in the first half but we took wrong decisions or we score. I could see all the effort. We crossed too early or we don’t hit the free player in there. But we talked at half-time about staying patient, keep going and we will get the reward. Keep a clean sheet – this is the first time for many home games. Away we have many but at home we have conceded at least one.

“Today three times we needed Dean Henderson to keep the clean sheet but that is why we signed him.

“I’m impressed – especially with the finish (by Sarr). We had the same situation first half, we tried to pass and the keeper did great. The keeper did well, he was very low and wide so there was no space to pass. Ismaila took the right decision to chip the ball because the keeper had the same movement again. Well done and it helped us to get the three points.”

Glasner was unsure whether Sarr’s celebration – running to kick the corner flag – was pre-planned.

“You must ask him,” he said. “When they are speaking about things they don’t have to tell me.

“I don’t know if they talked about it or he just did it because he felt he wants to do it.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD