Evann Guessand’s late strike secured a dramatic 1-0 victory for Crystal Palace over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Selhurst Park, with Dean Henderson’s crucial saves and a Wolves red card shaping the contest.
Crystal Palace clinched a hard-fought 1-0 win against a struggling Wolves side on Sunday, February 22, 2026. The Premier League clash saw the Eagles fight until the very end, rewarding their home fans with a decisive moment in the final minutes.
Entering this fixture, Crystal Palace occupied 14th spot in the Premier League standings. Their form was inconsistent, but a home win against the league's bottom side presented a real opportunity. Wolves, rooted in 20th place, traveled to London desperate for any points to ignite their bleak relegation battle.
The first half brought more drama than goals. The referee frequently reached for his pocket, with Crystal Palace players Will Hughes, Jaydee Canvot, and Adam Wharton all receiving yellow cards by the 41st minute for various fouls.
Wolves then earned a golden opportunity to take the lead. In the 43rd minute, they were awarded a penalty. Tolu Arokodare stepped up to convert but agonizingly missed, sending a collective sigh of relief around Selhurst Park.
The teams went into the break level, despite Wolves having the clearest chance to open the scoring. Palace needed to find more rhythm and capitalize on their possession, while Wolves would regret their squandered opportunity.
The second half began with a tactical change for Palace, bringing on Daichi Kamada. However, Wolves' afternoon worsened considerably when Ladislav Krejci received two rapid yellow cards. Booked first in the 58th minute for roughing, he was then dismissed in the 61st minute for unsportsmanlike conduct, leaving his team with ten men.
Palace immediately pushed for a winner, utilizing their numerical advantage. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson stood firm, making seven vital saves throughout the match, particularly as Wolves still managed to create chances despite being a man down.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 90th minute. Substitute Evann Guessand, who entered the fray in the 72nd minute, found the back of the net. Tyrick Mitchell provided the decisive assist, sparking wild celebrations among the Crystal Palace faithful.
Late drama continued with further yellow cards for André of Wolves and Ismaïla Sarr of Crystal Palace in added time. Palace held firm to secure the narrow victory, ensuring a frantic end to an intense game.
Crystal Palace commanded 61% of possession and registered 14 shots, with an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.68. Wolves, despite playing a significant portion with ten men, managed 12 shots, including seven on target, and had an xG of 1.63, highlighting their missed chances.
This crucial win boosts Crystal Palace to 32 points, offering a significant buffer from the relegation zone. For Wolves, the result plunges them deeper into despair, as their struggle for survival becomes increasingly grim, with only 10 points from 27 games.
