Instant impacts: How does Esse’s debut goal rank for speed?

Club

28 Jan 2025

Despite a 2-1 defeat at home to Brentford on Sunday, Palace fans were given one moment to celebrate late on: Romain Esse’s first goal for the club – and with his first touch to boot.

Save for the end result, the 19-year-old enjoyed a dream Palace and Premier League debut, coming onto the field in the 83rd minute and almost immediately firing home Daniel Muñoz’s ball across the six-yard box to haul his side back into the contest.

Speaking to Palace TV after the game, Esse admitted the incredible moment took hold of his emotions in the immediate aftermath, saying: “When I scored I forgot everything for a second!

“But it was good to connect with the fans for a brief moment and hopefully many more of them moments come in the future. I'm just excited to show them what I can do.”

How does it stack up against Palace’s previous quickest-ever impacts in the Premier League – and beyond?

Well, here’s where it gets a little into matters of interpretation as, with our stopwatches out, club historian Ian King points out that – given the game was paused for a Brentford injury – over a minute officially passed between Esse coming on for Will Hughes, and play restarting.

Nevertheless, with the clock reading 83:54 at the time of restart – and 84:19 at the time of the ball crossing the goal-line – Romain Esse had played just 25 seconds of Premier League football before netting his first goal.

If our counting is to be believed – and crucially, if it is to take place from the restart – that would make Esse our quickest-ever debutant to score in the Premier League.

That time beats out teammate Odsonne Edouard’s incredible 28-second goal – also on his Palace debut – in a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in September 2021.

On that occasion, the Frenchman memorably went on to become the first Palace debutant to score twice since Danny Light at home to Hull on 6th May, 1967.

Best of the PL: Palace 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur | 2021

**Ibra Sekajja’**s strike against Hull City in April 2011 takes third place for Palace debutants (30 seconds) on record.

But given that Esse was indeed on the pitch longer than both players, even if not in terms of playing time, Edouard is likely to retain his title in most statisticians’ books.

Other quick Palace impacts in recent memory? How about Jeffrey Schlupp heading home just 38 seconds after coming on in an eventual 2-2 draw with Leicester City in October 2021 – a game which marked Michael Olise’s first goal for the club?

Match Action: Crystal Palace 2-2 Leicester City

Then, there’s Jean-Philippe Mateta turning home Tyrick Mitchell’s cross after just 47 seconds of playing time, in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa in August 2022.

Crystal Palace 3-1 Aston Villa | Match Action

In terms of quickest impact off the bench, however?

All trail behind Wilfried Zaha’s incredible introduction in the 3-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield in May 2015, when our iconic talisman came on and scored with his first touch after just 23 seconds.

Esse has a long way to go to reach such a status in red and blue – but the teenager is certainly off to a bright start.

With thanks to Ian King.

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