‘I think we deserved to win’ – Evann Guessand thrilled as late goal seals Crystal Palace victory

Evann Guessand admitted a deep sense of satisfaction after emerging as the decisive figure in Crystal Palace’s tense 1‑0 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

The January loan signing from Aston Villa struck in the 90th minute to lift Selhurst Park spirits with a goal that not only secured three vital points but also lifted palpable pressure from an embattled Palace side and management.

The match had unfolded as a tight, chance‑scarce encounter for much of its duration, with Palace unable to find a breakthrough despite dominating possession and creating sporadic openings.

A key moment arrived when goalkeeper Dean Henderson denied Wolves a potential early lead by saving a penalty, keeping the game level at 0‑0 going into the second half.

Wolves were then reduced to ten men in the 61st minute after a second yellow card for defender Ladislav Krejci, presenting Palace with a numerical advantage they ultimately took advantage of late.

Guessand’s winner, a perfectly‑timed first‑time finish from a Tyrick Mitchell cut‑back, was enough to spark jubilant celebrations among the home crowd and deliver only the club’s second victory in 16 matches across all competitions.

Speaking after the game, the forward reflected on the team’s collective effort and stressed his delight at making a significant impact when it mattered.

“I think we deserved to win today, even after a long time without a victory.

“But let’s keep pushing now, because I think with the quality we have in this team, from the keeper to the striker, we can do something good.

“I thought the team showed really good determination to keep pushing and be patient. Because sometimes you can be a bit lazy after a red card (for the opposition), but we kept pushing.

“Every time they (the supporters) are here supporting us, we feel it. We felt it today. We felt again the support of our fans and that was really important.”

Off the field, the fixture was overshadowed by a separate issue as Wolves condemned racist abuse aimed at striker Tolu Arokodare on social media after his missed penalty, with the club urging collective action against discrimination in football.

The result moves Palace further clear of relegation danger and gives Guessand a breakthrough moment he will be keen to build on as the season progresses.