A handshake, then a puff of the cheeks and a wave to the crowd: here, for the moment at least, was respite for Oliver Glasner.
Though Crystal Palace might still be waiting to regain the winning feeling, Glasner saw some green shoots of recovery in a thunderous 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, so much so that he felt able to say their first half performance made him go ‘wow’.
But most important for the German was the relief. January, with its turmoil, trauma and transfers, has drawn to a close.
Glasner will welcome a new striker into the building on Monday, in the shape of Jorgen Strand Larsen, and the opportunity to start afresh in February can’t come quick enough.
Daily Mail Sport’s DOM KING was at the City Ground and he has picked out some key talking points from the match.
Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace played out a 1-1 draw at the City Ground on Sunday
The draw was respite for Eagles boss Oliver Glasner after a tumultuous month for his side
Why Strand Larsen’s imminent arrival will be key
The build-up to Palace’s visit to the City Ground was dominated by Glasner’s axing of Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The Frenchman had a fit of pique on social media – he was so angry, bless him, he even pressed the ‘unfollow’ button on Instagram – before heading out to join AC Milan.
Glasner wouldn’t talk about specifics but he explained Mateta’s departure meant he would be replaced by another forward.
Strand Larsen, for an initial £43million, will be expected to score the goals to banish any anxieties they have of a relegation fight.
‘We had good chances in this game,’ said Glasner. ‘What we missed was a No 9 in the box, you need someone to get on the end of those crosses.
‘We played very well in the first half, it was even better when you think of the situation we have been in.’
Jorgen Strand Larsen is set to arrive at Palace to replace the wantaway Jean-Philippe Mateta
Williams’ moment of madness
But as well as Palace played, they trailed to an early goal from Morgan Gibbs-White and Forest looked to have matters in hand.
Everything changed, however, when Will Hughes hoisted in a corner, Jefferson Lerma headed powerfully and Neco Williams morphed into Diego Maradona.
What was he thinking? In real time, from a distance, it had looked like Williams had made a miraculous headed clearance but the protests from those in white immediately told you he was not going to get away with it: banishment was the only option for referee Tony Harrington.
‘I don’t blame him at all,’ said Sean Dyche, who is expecting deadline day to be busy with the potential arrival of a left-back.
‘Neco was gutted as it left us 10 v 11; we were good value when it was 11 v 11 and I fancied us to go and win it.’
Glasner didn’t dare get ahead of himself – how could he, given recent shenanigans? – and it looked like he might wear a hole in the technical area, as he paced back and forth.
Respite, though, would be delivered by the coolest penalty conversion from Ismaila Sarr you could wish to see.
Neco Williams was sent off in the first half after he deliberately handled the ball on the goal-line
England star steps up
A numerical advantage, nonetheless, did not equate to a platform to push for victory.
Palace didn’t manage a shot on goal in the second half and Angus Gunn, who replaced the injured Mat Sels, was comfortable on his debut. Forest, really, could have won it, with Elliott Anderson their heartbeat.
He always had time and made his tackles count; his passing was beautiful and he ran powerfully from first second to last.
Forest fans won’t want to hear this but he’s got the kind of attributes that will want to make plenty of clubs spend a lot of money. This England international is a joy to watch.
