Overshadowed by the collective exodus of home fans from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and subsequent media meltdown (legacy and social) at full-time, few people or pundits were discussing a Crystal Palace milestone for Ismaila Sarr on Thursday. His second goal, poked beyond Guglielmo Vicario, was his 25th for the club in all competitions.
The Senegalese attacker has been a sneakily effective scorer for the club since arriving in the summer of 2025. The return of 25 goals in 76 appearances is impressive enough, but against his actual minutes played, he is averaging a goal every 227 minutes. In recent seasons, only Jean-Philippe Mateta has had a better rate of return.
Stylistically, it has always been clear that Sarr suits match-ups that allow him to exhibit his acceleration, especially when he can break the offside trap, assuming his forehead doesn't fall foul of VAR.
If we make the argument that Sarr is Palace's key attacking piece, then finding the opposite half-winger that complements his game may explain why Evann Guessand has likely elevated himself into that starting role, where Brennan Johnson has struggled.
Whereas Sarr tends to carry an off-the-ball threat that lends itself to fewer touches, when he is more of an outlet player, the team also needs a player who can look for the ball to balance the attack and allow Sarr space to roam.
Of the two new attacking arrivals, in that small sample of games alongside Sarr, Guessand is averaging 20 more touches per 90 minutes than Johnson, is doing so in more areas of the pitch, and has been a more willing carrier of the ball.
The worst of Crystal Palace this season has been when the team regressed to static build-up play. This turnaround in form has seen movement return to the pitch, and thanks to this pair of 10s.
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