Oliver Glasner was delighted that his Crystal Palace team shook an early goal to pick up a point in a 2-2 draw at Arsenal on Wednesday night.
The Eagles were left behind after three minutes in the Emirates when Jakub Kiwior directed a free kick by Martin Odegaard, conforms to Dean Henderson motionless.
Glasner’s team was close to matching four minutes later, when the diverted effort of Daichi Kamada whistled the position of David Raya.
Declan Rice showed an effort of Henderson’s goal in the 23rd minute, since Mikel Arteta’s side sought to add a second.
Palace matched just before the half -hour mark when the corner of Adam Wharton found Ebeeechi Eeze on the edge of the box and the Greenwich accessor flipped the ball on the ground, bouncing in the line post and in.
Eddie Nketiah had the opportunity to add a second goal minutes later, but a last Kiwior block prevented former Arsenal attacker from scoring.
The gunners are ahead before part time when Leandro Trosssard picked up the ball inside the area and pressed a shot between the legs of Maxnce Lacroix and Jefferson Lerma.
Justin accroveny had the first opportunity of Palace in the second half, LooPing a heading of a cross of Ismaila Sar to the crossbar, with line needing to overcome the effort. Marc Guehi forced Raya to a salvation close to the resulting corner.
Henderson made an intelligent stop with 10 minutes of normal time stir when he threw a hand to Bukayo Saka’s shot inside the box.
Jean-Philippe Mateta matched for the Eagles in the 82nd minute when Daichi Kamada pressed William Saliba to pass the ball to the French striker’s path.
Mateta, who had only been in the field for three minutes, looked directly at the goal and threw at Raya, who had left her target in accumulation.
Palace finished a streak of two strong consecutive defeats to give a confidence in the Sabbath Cup semifinals clash against Aston Villa in Wembley.
“We had an excellent performance,” Glasner said.
“When you have connected 10 goals in the last two games away from home, go 1-0 in Arsenal is a difficult situation.
“The players were incredible and we did not lose their heads, trust or belief.
“We create so many opportunities, so I am very proud of the players and how they worked today.
“I know what this group of players can do. It is not so easy: we are human beings. It is not easy to be at our higher levels. When we stick to our plan and we all do their job, it is not easy to play against us.
“We moved the ball quickly in possession: our pocket players were in good positions.
“This is what we show today and this is what we will need in Wembley on Saturday, at least on the same level.”
Photos: Rob Avis
