The joys of last season’s FA Cup triumph feel like a lifetime ago for Crystal Palace and tonight was another painful experience for Oliver Glasner. His side were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw away to the Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar.
Ismaila Sarr gave the visitors the lead in the 44th minute when he curled a tidy low-driven effort into the bottom corner. Glasner’s men were well-placed to go on and take advantage in the Europa Conference League play-off tie.
That was until Karlo Abramovic came up with a 55th-minute equaliser to stun Palace. Adam Wharton was dispossessed on the halfway line. The Bosnian champions broke forward and drew themselves level against the run of play.
The hosts came close to taking the lead, but fine goalkeeping from Dean Henderson came to the rescue. Wharton nearly made up for his slip-up when he rattled the crossbar with a fine attempt, but it ended honours even ahead of the second leg at Selhurst Park on February 26th.
Zrinjski 1-1 Crystal Palace: Wharton wobbles
It felt as though Crystal Palace were unstoppable this time last year, and they stormed their way to their first-ever major trophy. At the start of the Europa Conference League campaign, many were confident about the chances of adding another piece of silverware to the trophy cabinet.
Glasner’s side will now have to get the job done back home next Thursday after failing to beat the Bosnians. It wasn’t the best of nights for Wharton, who struggled to impress in the middle of the park.
Wharton created one big chance, made one key pass and found his man with two of three long ball attempts. But defensively, he faltered, failing to win a single tackle, winning one of three ground duels and one of two aerial duels.
The 22-year-old is one of English football’s most exciting midfield talents. His stock has grown since he arrived at Selhurst Park in early 2024.
Performances like tonight’s make clear that he is still a work in progress and that patience is still required. He seems to have Europe’s heavyweights circling for his signature ahead of the summer transfer window, but there are still flaws in his game.
Wharton disappoints Palace fans
It’s very rare to see the Selhurst faithful take aim at Wharton. He has become a fan favourite with his playmaking brilliance in the middle of the park.
The English youngster’s outing tonight led to criticism from supporters who feel he is too wasteful in possession. That was the verdict of CPFC HQ on X:
“That is absolutely terrible. Wharton dreadful pass and Riad sucked in to the ball. Really, really poor.”
One fan wrote in response:
“I know Riad had been out for a while and the initial mistake was from a typically lazy Wharton but I canny believe a professional defender can be so poor. No way they should have scored. Total lack of awareness of what was going on around. It’s farcical.”
Another fan gave a grim verdict:
“Inept play from Wharton he gives the ball away way to much piss poor Palace.”
One supporter blamed the former Blackburn Rovers man for the equaliser:
“All on Wharton. Lazy uninterested football.”
Another feels the writing is on the wall for Glasner:
“Watching this Palace side with Glasner is like seeing two parents who are getting slowly divorced ruin their child. It’s painful. He’s lost that team. Wharton has been awful. Get Glasner gone and bring in someone new and fresh. Sad but necessary.”
Glasner has already confirmed that he is leaving Palace when his contract expires in June. There have been rumours of Wharton following him out of the exit door amid interest from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
