Ismaila Sarr's magic touch keeps Crystal Palace flying high

In a scrappy encounter against Ipswich Town at Selhurst Park, with the game meandering towards a goalless draw, Sarr stepped up in the 82nd minute to provide the decisive moment.

A gliding run, a deft touch to break into the area, and a finish full of composure—a chip over Alex Palmer with just the right weight and precision to ensure three more points for Crystal Palace. It was a moment of quality in a game that often lacked it, but that is precisely what Sarr has brought to this Palace side. He is the unpredictable element, the player who can turn a game with a flick of his right foot or an incisive run.

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The celebration that followed was as significant as the goal itself. Sarr wheeled away towards the corner flag and delivered a familiar ritual—Jean-Philippe Mateta's trademark 'boom' celebration, an homage to his injured teammate. "I did it for [Mateta]," Sarr later admitted. "He is my guy. He is a good guy." In that moment, Sarr's impact exceeded the scoreline, encapsulating this Palace squad's unity and spirit.

Stepping Up in Mateta's Absence

With Mateta sidelined after suffering a gruesome head injury that required 25 stitches, Oliver Glasner needed someone to fill the void. Sarr had already been a consistent performer this season, but this was a test of his ability to lead the line without Palace's focal point. The Senegalese international did not disappoint.

He began the game in a wider role, linking up well with Eberechi Eze and Eddie Nketiah, but it was when he was moved centrally late on that he indeed came alive. Sarr has now found the net seven times in the league this season, along with three assists, proving himself an invaluable asset.

The expectation is that Mateta will return for the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham, but Sarr's latest display will give Glasner food for thought. A fully fit Mateta may return as the preferred striker, yet Sarr's adaptability and growing influence on the team mean he will remain a key part of the setup.

Palace on a Roll as Ipswich's Struggles Continue

The victory over Ipswich extended Palace's unbeaten streak to 12 in their last 13 matches, a run that has lifted them comfortably clear of relegation concerns and placed them in contention for a top-half finish. Four wins in a row underline the momentum building within the squad, and with the FA Cup still in their sights, optimism is growing in South London.

The match never quite sparked into life, but Palace found a way to grind out the result. Eddie Nketiah had an early sight of goal but fired straight at Palmer, while Eze clipped the post in the second half. Ipswich had their moments too, forcing Dean Henderson into action, but Palace stood firm. Sarr, already a hero for his winning goal, had earlier kept the game level with a vital clearance off the line—his contributions at both ends proving decisive.

For Ipswich, the picture is far less encouraging. Kieran McKenna's side remains winless in the Premier League this calendar year and is slipping deeper into trouble. Jaden Philogene and Julio Enciso forced saves from Henderson, but their lack of cutting edge in attack remains a significant problem. Liam Delap was once again a bright spark, causing problems for the Palace backline, but even his industry could not break down a well-organized defense.

Final Words

With just a handful of games left to turn things around, Ipswich faces an uphill battle to avoid relegation. Meanwhile, Palace, powered by the brilliance of Sarr, continues to gather momentum, looking every bit a team ready to finish the season on a high.