Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner summed up an emotionally volatile minute at Villa Park on Saturday.
When the fourth official’s board went up to indicate five additional minutes at the end of the first half, Crystal Palace were staring down the barrel of heading into half time a goal behind.
Will Hughes had conceded a penalty right on the verge of half time. Youri Tielemans stood over the ball, putting Aston Villa 2-1 ahead in his sights.
However, Dean Henderson had other ideas, making a wonderful save from the spot denying Villa the lead.
Palace were not quite out of the woods, with a corner yet to defend. What followed was a moment of madness that football can only produce.
The Eagles cleared the corner and were away. Cheick Doucoure had the ball in midfield and released the rapid Ismailla Sarr down the wing. Pummelling down the line, Sarr burst into the box before cutting it back to Justin Devenny, who netted his first Crystal Palace goal.
Reflecting on Saturday’s manic minute, Glasner said: “This is why we all love football. Within three minutes, our emotions changed so often.
“All of a sudden, there was a VAR intervention. I’ve been here for several games in the Premier League, and usually, the VAR never intervenes, so it must have been a clear wrong decision. I didn’t see it, but I trust the referees.
“Then, it was an unbelievable save. We defended the corner with our three attackers back and had a transition where they all had to make 80-yard sprints.
“Ismaila was lucky that he had a bad last touch, so that had to cross. Mateta missed the ball; then it was an experienced finish from Justin Devenny.
“He’s left-footed, and he scored with his right foot, staying cool, with a curve around the defender and into the corner.”
