Report & Highlights: Muñoz heads home as Eagles edge Burnley

Summary:

• One change for Palace, as Lerma replaces the injured Sarr.
• 7: Esteve heads over after being picked out in space.
• 14: Mateta tests Dubravka at the Burnley ‘keeper’s near post.
• 15: Henderson springs high to his left to deny Anthony.
• 28: Palace threaten from a series of set-pieces but the ball doesn’t drop from Kamada.
• 44 – GOAL: Muñoz stoops to meet Guéhi’s brilliant back-post ball, and head Palace into the lead.
• HT: Burnley 0-1 Palace
• 56: Mateta’s close-range effort from Muñoz’s pull-back is blocked by Dúbravka.
• 60: Mitchell makes an important block from Foster’s volley.
• 63: Henderson produces world-class save to tip Bruun Larsen’s powerful shot onto the bar.
• 74: Burnley turn up the pressure but Henderson commands his box well.
• 88: The hosts have a late chance from a direct free-kick, but Edwards hits the wall.|
• 90+2: Richards clears off the line after Broja’s effort loops goalwards.
• FT: Burnley 0-1 Palace

Palace were looking to bounce back from the disappointment of twice taking the lead, but twice being defeated, in last week’s pair of fixtures – but they were in turn coming up against a Burnley side on a run of four straight defeats in the Premier League.

The only change to Palace’s side from Sunday’s home loss saw the injured Ismaïla Sarr drop out of the squad, with Jefferson Lerma coming into the starting XI and Daichi Kamada pushed forward to support the attack.

With both sides having a reputation for their defensive organisation, the opening quarter-of-an-hour was a battle of who could win the second ball in plenty of instances – although it was not without its chances.

Maxime Estève, the Burnley centre-back, was first to find space in an opponent’s box on seven minutes, although his floating header was well off target after the defender had joined an attack and ran to meet a high ball in.

Seven minutes later, Palace responded in kind, some brilliant combination play in midfield seeing Lerma and Kamada combine to set Jean-Philippe Mateta racing towards goal through the middle, albeit his run taking him away from goal.

Having bullied his centre-back off the pass, however, Mateta unleashed a low drive towards Burnley ‘keeper Martin Dúbravka’s near post – the goalkeeper got down low to block the strike behind.

The two teams were going blow-for-blow, and a minute later, it took a fine one-handed save, high to Dean Henderson’s left, to prevent Jaidon Anthony from placing Burnley in front after 15 minutes.

It was as open as the first-half would get, however, as the remainder of the opening period ebbed and flowed – neither team able to carve out any real chances of note.

Yéremy Pino was involved a couple of promising moves, at one stage opting to pass rather than shoot from just inside the box, whilst Lerma’s and Chris Richards’ long throws were a consistent source of danger for Palace, with one almost dropping for Kamada after half-an-hour; and Tyrick Mitchell showed plenty of energy and industry to advance into several decent positions down the left.

But the two defences ultimately remained on top – until the very stroke of half-time, at least.

The breakthrough came from a moment of quality from skipper Marc Guéhi, who picked up the ball and strode into space from a deep position, before pinging a perfect hanging ball towards Muñoz at the back post.

The Colombian, for a second Premier League away game in succession, found the pocket of space in the opposition box and – stooping to meet the ball’s flight – headed back across goal, and into the net, for his fourth goal of the season.

It was a fitting reward for Palace’s perseverance in a tight, competitive first-half – and the second started in similar fashion, light on chances but not so on physical duels in the middle third.

It took until the 56th minute for the first real opportunity to arrive – and it went Palace’s way. The Eagles had already strung together a couple of promising moves from midfield but this latest passage of play was incisive, culminating with Wharton setting Muñoz in behind down the right.

The Colombian carried the ball into the box and pulled it back low and hard towards the penalty spot; Mateta, on the stretch, was just about able to divert goalwards, but with no time to place his finish, it flew too close to Dúbravka to beat the keeper.

Burnley admittedly responded, making several substitutions which had an effect. A ball in from half-time entrant Jacob Bruun Larsen skipped up high for Lyle Foster to half-volley inside the box. Mitchell charged out to make a brave block, and Josh Cullen’s follow-up volley hit Foster before sailing behind.

Moments later, Palace were indebted to what will surely go down as one of the saves of the season.

A flat cross from Hannibal Mejbri picked out Bruun Larsen in space at the far post, and he touched the ball down before smashing the ball goalwards.

At first, it appeared the ball struck the crossbar of its own accord – but watching back the replay, the finest of touches from Henderson’s fingertips was crucial to diverting it onto the woodwork and, thankfully, away.

Burnley continued to press but Palace held firm, Henderson particularly impressive in making a brave low dive to turn away Marcus Edwards’ fizzed cross.

The hosts threw on additional attackers in the game’s closing stages – and did have one late close-range free-kick from Edwards, which thankfully hit the wall, as well as a looping header from Armando Broja which needed clearing off the line by Chris Richards.

But Palace hung on for a hard-fought, but important, away win, one which lifted them us up to fifth in the Premier League table.

Burnley: Dubravka (GK), Walker, Ekdal, Esteve, Hartman, Cullen (Broja, 81), Florentino (Ugochukwu, 71), Tchaouna (Bruun Larsen, HT), Anthony (Edwards, 58), Foster, Flemming (Mejbri, 58).

Subs: Weiss (GK), Worrall, Pires, Laurent.

Palace: Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi, Muñoz, Lerma, Wharton (Hughes, 75), Mitchell, Pino (Devenny, 64), Kamada (Canvot, 89), Mateta (Nketiah, 64).

Subs: Benítez (GK), Matthews (GK), Clyne, Uche, Esse.

As It Happened