Glasner Delivers Stern Message to Romain Esse After Cup Frustration

Oliver Glasner didn’t exactly hide his disappointment after handing Romain Esse a rare start and then withdrawing him at half-time during Crystal Palace’s tense EFL Cup win over old club Millwall.

Esse’s flat showing and a manager’s warning

For a 20-year-old who arrived in south London with plenty of expectation — a January move for around £12m that can rise to £14.5m — Esse simply didn’t do enough. He has made only 11 appearances for Palace so far and just one Premier League start, albeit that came with a goal on his debut against Brentford. Glasner made clear he will be having a private conversation with the youngster after the game; the message was simple: deliver more when given the chance. I suspect the manager will be firm but fair — talent is one thing, consistency another.

Benítez the difference in the shoot-out

It was goalkeeper Walter Benítez who stole the headlines on his Palace debut, pulling off two crucial saves in the 4-2 penalty shoot-out to send Selhurst into celebrations. Palace had taken the lead through Chris Richards in the 72nd minute, but Millwall hauled themselves level late on when a Howland corner found Ryan Leonard to force extra time and, ultimately, spot-kicks.

What the result means — and what it doesn’t

Palace converted all four of their penalties and Benítez denied Tristan Crama and Aidomo Emakhu, extending Palace’s unbeaten run to 16 matches across all competitions. That’s a tidy streak, but it doesn’t mask room for improvement in certain areas of the squad — most noticeably in the performances of players handed precious opportunities to impress.

Youth influx and squad rotation

Glasner also handed a first appearance to French teenager Jaydee Canvot after his summer move from Toulouse — another youngster getting minutes in a busy spell for Palace. The manager’s juggling act is obvious: keep momentum while bringing along the young talents who will define the club’s future.

If you like keeping tabs on the odds before these cup ties, have a look at betting sites for the latest markets — but remember, cup football loves a surprise.

Looking ahead

Palace head into the weekend sitting ninth in the Premier League after four games and travel to West Ham on Saturday for another London derby. Glasner will want to see clearer signs from players like Esse — the squad can celebrate a hard-fought win tonight, but selection headaches and questions over development remain.

Call it what you will: a useful win, a warning to one young winger, and a reminder that in football, chances come and go. The ball’s in Esse’s court now — and Glasner’s patience might not be endless if performances don’t improve.