Crystal Palace wins 1-0 vs Wolves on Feb 22, 2026 after late goal

Crystal Palace won 1-0 against Wolves on February 22, 2026. This is only their second win in 16 games. A late goal secured the points.
By Newsroom | Football, England |

Crystal Palace achieved a narrow 1-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 22, 2026, with a late goal from Evann Guessand. The win, secured in the 90th minute, provided a much-needed boost for manager Oliver Glasner, whose position had been under scrutiny. However, the match was also marked by expressions of fan dissatisfaction through banners displayed at Selhurst Park and reports of racist abuse directed at a Wolves player on social media.

Henderson lauds Crystal Palace teammate Guessand after Wolves win, he can be the difference-maker vs Zrinjski - 1

The game was a hard-fought contest, with both teams facing significant pressure. Wolves played a considerable portion of the second half with ten men following the dismissal of Ladislav Krejci. Despite this numerical advantage, Crystal Palace struggled to break down the opposition until Guessand's decisive intervention. Dean Henderson, the Crystal Palace goalkeeper, played a crucial role in keeping his team level, notably saving a penalty from Wolves' Tolu Arokodare in the first half.

Read More: Arsenal Players Not Passing to Viktor Gyokeres in February 2026 Matches

Henderson lauds Crystal Palace teammate Guessand after Wolves win, he can be the difference-maker vs Zrinjski - 2

Match Overview and Key Incidents

Crystal Palace secured a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on February 22, 2026. The decisive moment came in the 90th minute when Evann Guessand scored his first goal for the club, latching onto a cut-back from Tyrick Mitchell.

Henderson lauds Crystal Palace teammate Guessand after Wolves win, he can be the difference-maker vs Zrinjski - 3

Key events of the match included:

  • Dean Henderson's Penalty Save: In the 43rd minute, Henderson guessed correctly to save Tolu Arokodare's penalty, awarded after Adam Wharton fouled Mateus Mane.

  • Ladislav Krejci's Red Card: Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci was sent off in the 60th minute after receiving two yellow cards within a three-minute span, reducing Wolves to ten men for the final third of the game.

  • Guessand's Late Winner: Evann Guessand was introduced as a substitute in the 71st minute and went on to score the winning goal just before the final whistle.

The victory represented only Crystal Palace's second win in 16 matches across all competitions, offering some relief to manager Oliver Glasner.

Henderson lauds Crystal Palace teammate Guessand after Wolves win, he can be the difference-maker vs Zrinjski - 4

Fan Reaction and Managerial Scrutiny

Crystal Palace fans expressed their discontent during the match. Banners displayed at Selhurst Park conveyed messages such as "opportunities missed – board inept" and "fans disrespected - Glasner finished." These sentiments appeared to stem from comments made by manager Oliver Glasner in his pre-match press conference. The victory, while important, did not entirely quell the underlying dissatisfaction among a segment of the fanbase.

Allegations of Racial Abuse

Following the match, Wolverhampton Wanderers issued a statement condemning racist abuse directed at their striker Tolu Arokodare on social media. The club shared specific posts containing derogatory references to Arokodare, reportedly comparing him to a monkey, following his penalty miss. This incident highlights a disturbing undercurrent of online abuse within football.

Read More: Erling Haaland now leads Manchester City team after scoring 100 goals

Goalkeeper Performance and Strategic Decisions

Dean Henderson's performance was a significant factor in Crystal Palace's ability to secure the win. His penalty save was a critical moment in the first half, preventing Wolves from taking the lead. His role as the club's number one goalkeeper, a decision made by manager Oliver Glasner in the summer, has increasingly been viewed as justified by Henderson's consistent positive performances.

Tactical Developments and Substitutions

The match saw Evann Guessand introduced as a tactical substitution in the 71st minute, with Crystal Palace seeking a breakthrough. His introduction proved to be an astute decision by Oliver Glasner, as Guessand ultimately provided the winning goal. The game also involved debates regarding refereeing decisions, with reports suggesting that some Wolves players and observers felt that a potential second yellow card for Hughes should have been issued for a late challenge.

Read More: Arsenal Midfielder Scores Header and Assist in Champions League Win on October 22, 2025

Expert Commentary and Analysis

  • Dean Henderson was lauded by Agbonlahor as his goalkeeper of the week, underscoring his significant contributions. Agbonlahor emphasized Henderson's crucial save, calling it the "greatest single moment" of the game despite conceding two goals in a previous match.

  • The late winner from Evann Guessand was highlighted as a potential difference-maker for Crystal Palace. The goal eased pressure on manager Oliver Glasner, providing a crucial three points.

Conclusion and Implications

The 1-0 victory over Wolves at Selhurst Park on February 22, 2026, offered a much-needed win for Crystal Palace and provided temporary respite for manager Oliver Glasner. Evann Guessand's late goal was the deciding factor, overshadowing a first-half penalty save by Dean Henderson. However, the match was also characterized by fan protests expressing dissatisfaction with club management and managerial decisions. Furthermore, the reported racist abuse directed at Tolu Arokodare on social media following his penalty miss underscores a serious issue within the sport that requires ongoing attention and action. The performance, while resulting in a win, revealed underlying tensions and challenges for Crystal Palace.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the final score between Crystal Palace and Wolves on February 22, 2026?
Crystal Palace won against Wolverhampton Wanderers with a final score of 1-0. The only goal was scored by Evann Guessand in the 90th minute.
Q: Who scored the winning goal for Crystal Palace against Wolves on February 22, 2026?
Evann Guessand scored the winning goal for Crystal Palace in the 90th minute of the match against Wolves on February 22, 2026. This was his first goal for the club.
Q: What happened with Wolves player Tolu Arokodare during the Crystal Palace match on February 22, 2026?
Tolu Arokodare missed a penalty for Wolves in the first half, which was saved by Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Afterwards, he was subjected to racist abuse on social media.
Q: Why were Crystal Palace fans unhappy during the match on February 22, 2026?
Some Crystal Palace fans displayed banners showing anger towards the club's board and manager Oliver Glasner. They felt opportunities were missed and that they were disrespected.
Q: Did Wolves have any players sent off in the game against Crystal Palace on February 22, 2026?
Yes, Wolves defender Ladislav Krejci was sent off in the 60th minute after receiving two yellow cards. This meant Wolves played with ten men for the rest of the match.