Crystal Palace 2-3 Burnley: Seven minutes of madness spoil Jorgen Strand Larsen’s Selhurst Park bow – surely Steve Parish will rue not replacing Marc Guehi, writes WILL PICKWORTH

After a miserable January for Crystal Palace where the club threatened to fall apart, it appeared the clouds were beginning to lift in February when new club record signing Jorgen Strand Larsen helped them race into a 2-0 lead against Burnley.

But seven minutes of madness later, and Eagles chairman Steve Parish was perhaps ruing the club’s failure to replace Marc Guehi, as an incredible comeback from the Clarets saw Scott Parker ease the pressure on his job, and keep his side’s survival hopes alive.

Palace huffed and puffed late on, but Burnley held firm to win their first league match since October.

Burnley show life in relegation battle

At 2-0 down and heading for their 17th Premier League game without a win, things were bleak for Burnley.

But an incredible three-goal salvo in seven minutes reminded everyone that their relegation isn’t quite a done deal just yet.

The players showed a fight that may also send a message to the club’s hierarchy that they are behind Parker after a portion of fans turned on him during the weekend’s defeat by West Ham.

Driven on by Jaidon Anthony and Marcus Edwards, this is only a start, and Parker will need many more results like this given his side are still nine points adrift of safety.

Yet after so many setbacks, coupled with the mentality they showed, the victory provides a much-needed lift to the club after a dismal period as they look to avoid their third successive Premier League relegation.

Palace’s defensive woes

When Palace failed to replace Guehi in the winter window, questions were always going to be raised over the impact on their defence.

Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix and Jefferson Lerma played well at Brighton, albeit their rivals barely offered anything going forward, yet the way Burnley repeatedly exposed the hosts’ deficiencies – plus another goal being conceded from a set piece – will raise alarm bells for Oliver Glasner.

It was as if Palace froze for seven minutes as they contrived to throw away a comfortable 2-0 lead in an incredible period of the game.

Lerma has filled in admirably at centre back, yet his positioning, and half-time withdrawal, showed he isn’t the perfect fit for the Guehi void.

Glasner’s men have now conceded nine goals in five games without their former captain, and it is an issue they must solve fast.

Oliver Glasner’s side are struggling defensively and they will be ruing not replacing Marc Guehi in the January transfer window

It was a positive night for Jorgen Strand Larsen, though, who scored twice on his home debut

Strand Larsen has lift off

Eyebrows were raised when Palace spent £48million on Jorgen Strand Larsen after one Premier League goal in the first half of the season.

The Norwegian’s quality is evident given he netted 14 Premier League goals last season and Newcastle’s summer interest, but a combination of confidence, fitness, and the psychological impact of a failed move badly impacted his form.

A transfer is a fresh start though, and following a tireless performance at Brighton, his work rate was rewarded with two fine goals here.

In the process, Strand Larsen trebled his Premier League goal tally for the season – and he should be filled with confidence despite the result.

Palace had to gamble in January given their predicament, so if Strand Larsen can build on this start, he will have been worth the risk.