How Burnley spoilt Jorgen Strand Larsen’s dream home debut to shock Crystal Palace - ‘I can’t explain it’

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Selhurst Park was the place to be for dramatic Premier League action on Wednesday. Burnley, winless in 17 and seemingly headed back to the Championship, produced a stunning comeback to shock Crystal Palace, who had led through two goals from Jorgen Strand Larsen on an impressive home debut. TNT Sports relives the action from a remarkable game.

Highlights: Spirited Burnley comeback stuns Palace

Video credit: TNT Sports

There was a mood of quiet contentment, of restored order at Selhurst Park 33 minutes into Wednesday's Premier League match against struggling Burnley.

New striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, signed for £48 million from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January, had scored twice, and Crystal Palace looked set to follow up their 1-0 win over rivals Brighton & Hove Albion with another important victory.

But things would soon take an unexpected and dramatic turn. Before the first half had drawn to a close, the game had turned on its head, and the quiet contentment had turned to vocal concern from the home supporters.

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The bulk of the action happened in a frenetic first half as Burnley stunned their shellshocked hosts with a flurry of goals, before seeing out their lead after the break to win 3-2.

It was a welcome morale boost for Scott Parker and his players; just a fourth league win of the season for a side still nine points from safety. Palace, meanwhile, saw their dismal home form continue, with just three points from their last eight games at Selhurst.

Here's how a memorable night in south London unfolded...

'They spent big, they're rewarded' - Strand Larsen opens his account for Palace against Burnley

Video credit: TNT Sports

Strand Larsen's scintillating start

There was some scepticism about the fee paid for the Norwegian, who scored once in 22 league appearances for bottom side Wolves before his switch to Palace.

But he looked more like the player who netted 14 times last season on Wednesday, taking just 16 minutes to score on his home debut.

The Norway international latched onto a lofted through ball from Adam Wharton and fired home a powerful first-time finish.

His second goal was impressive, too, a diving header into the bottom left corner after some clever movement in the box.

If there were any positives to take from an ultimately disappointing night for The Eagles, it will be that Strand Larsen looks capable of scoring plenty.

Burnley fightback stuns Selhurst

Perhaps there was an element of complacency from Palace at 2-0 against a side that had not won in the Premier League since October.

Regardless, Burnley's seven-minute turnaround was remarkable, and proof that the division retains its fascinating unpredictability.

Hannibal Mejbri got things going for the visitors in the 40th minute, finishing superbly after meeting Marcus Edwards' pass just inside the box.

At that point, it seemed like little more than a glimmer of hope, but it proved the catalyst for an astonishing end to the first half.

Four minutes later, Jaidon Anthony drove into the box from the left flank and hit a low shot into the bottom left corner, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson helpless.

'Comeback from The Clarets' - Anthony levels it for Burnley at Palace

Video credit: TNT Sports

By now, Palace were eager to make it to the break and regroup, but they could only watch as the game continued to run away from them.

Two minutes into first-half added time, an inviting corner was met by the head of Bashir Humphreys, whose effort looked goalbound. Jefferson Lerma slid in an attempt to block but could only divert the ball over the line for an own goal after a slight touch from Henderson.

And in the blink of an eye, arguably this season's most unlikely comeback was complete.

'A sensational turnaround!' - Lerma own goal sees Burnley lead at Palace from 2-0 down

Video credit: TNT Sports

Glasner unhappy as Palace take another step back

Palace boss Oliver Glasner would have hoped his 100th game in charge would be a celebration, but instead the mood come full-time was solemn.

His side remain eight points clear of the relegation zone, so there is some breathing space. But it has been a difficult few months for the club: falling victim to the biggest FA Cup upset in history against Macclesfield, losing Marc Guehi and very nearly Jean-Philippe Mateta, Glasner's decision to leave at the end of the season, and a huge dip in form in the Premier League.

There is a risk, it seems, of the Austrian's mostly successful tenure ending on a sour note.

"I can’t explain it," Glasner told TNT Sports. "We gave the game away too easy. Maybe it was too easy. There was a lack of intensity and we didn’t defend well. We can’t show a consistent performance over 95 minutes very often. Once it’s this, once it’s that - and you get punished.

"The start was good, scoring very nice goals. We controlled everything. I’ve watched all the goals back, and it’s just not acceptable how we defended as a team - just jogging around, not in the duels, not in the second balls.

"I praise the boys very often for their effort. We had a great effort three days ago at Brighton, so it’s not about the character. I don’t know the reason [for tonight], the players usually work hard.

"When you throw the game away like we did, you don’t deserve to win.

"Right now, we don’t have someone on the pitch who leads the team in these moments, who makes the players calm and decides about the meaning of the game - that’s why we lost."

Delight for beleaguered Burnley

It was a rare night of celebration for Burnley, who appeared consigned to relegation weeks ago but demonstrated some much-needed spirit at Selhurst.

Their last win was a 3-2 victory over fellow strugglers Wolves in October; 17 games later, they finally managed another.

But it was the circumstances around it that were most pleasing to Scott Parker, under increasing scrutiny after a 2-0 loss to West Ham at Turf Moor last weekend.

"During the situation we're in, and the current run we're in, and coming out the back of an incredibly tough game at the weekend for many, many reasons, that performance showed a group that is full of resilience, full of commitment," the Burnley boss told TNT Sports.

"I'm absolutely delighted for everyone at the club, the staff and the players. They deserved that today. You don't get that result tonight without proper resilience, without standing up to certain battles and situations.

The biggest learning for this group, in these moments where it's tough, you keep coming back up, and we certainly did that tonight."

Kyle Walker, meanwhile, added: "After last weekend it was very important to show a reaction. When you go 2-0 down it takes a lot of courage, and this group of young men showed that."

The gap to Nottingham Forest in 17th remains sizeable, but could Burnley yet pull off a great escape?

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