Crystal Palace’s match-winner finds redemption with fans of the Eagles after a crucial Premier League victory against Middlesbrough.
Crystal Palace enjoyed a vital Premier League win over Middlesbrough, with the three points lifting Sam Allardyce’s Eagles out of the relegation zone for the first time in six weeks – now placing them level on points with Aitor Karanka’s visiting side.
The scorer of the game’s decisive goal was left back Patrick Van Aanholt – a player who had previously been heavily criticised by Palace fans for his antics and motivations regarding the club’s recent misfortunes. However, the significant strike in the 34th minute was accompanied by a celebration indicative of Van Aanholt’s desire and emotion towards the Palace cause.
Van Aanholt’s strike was his eighth goal since the start of last season – a feat that no other Premier League defender can claim. The left back’s first half goal was also the Dutchman’s second of the campaign against Boro; his first coming as a Sunderland player in a 2-1 Middlesbrough victory back in August.
Fans of the Eagles, clearly delighted with securing the victory, took to to social media outlet Twitter to praise match-winner Van Aanholt – with the response in stark comparison to the reaction expressed towards the same player following Palace’s capitulation against Sunderland earlier in the month.
Palace face another potentially win-able fixture next time out, as they travel to the midlands to face West Bromwich Albion in two weeks time.
Here is a taste of the reaction following Patrick Van Aanhot’s match-winning goal in Crystal Palace’s 1-0 victory over fellow relegation rivals Middlesbrough.
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