Strand Larsen: 'More of that, please!'
Jørgen Strand Larsen admitted he loved the deliveries he received for his two headers against Middlesbrough in our Carabao Cup victory.
The Norway international got off the mark for 2026/27 with a brilliant brace of headers at Selhurst Park, racing onto Óscar Mingueza’s in-swinging cross to glance in the opener, before powering a planted header home from Ben Chilwell’s sweet delivery.
“Crosses – I've got to love ‘em!” Strand Larsen beamed, speaking to Palace TV. “More of that, please!
“We're talking about it every day, how to get in good positions. Especially for us, the defenders want to grab us all the time because we're big and a threat in the box. It's about being smart and I feel like I got myself into two good positions.
“Obviously, the delivery is great. Óscar knows me really well from our time in Celta [Vigo], so he knew that ball. Me and Chilly have just known each other for a week, but it's great to get some good crosses in and to be at the end of it.”
I felt like he was going to score!
—Jørgen Strand Larsen
Strand Larsen duly turned provider for Daichi Kamada’s wonderful lob on the night, playing a cute reverse pass into his path to give him space to accomplish the audacious – and pumping his fist before the midfielder had even shot!
“I felt like he was going to score, but then I didn't know what he was doing!” he laughed.
“It looked like he was going for time-wasting at minute 70, but then he just pulled something out of the hat. I think he knew that was his last option, but then obviously Daichi’s quality.
“He's a top player and it's good to get some confidence in the team. I feel like we started a bit tough, a bit unlucky maybe, not playing perfectly.
“But a good win at the weekend, really enjoyed that. Then a good win tonight and then we're just going to build on that and win [against Ipswich] on Saturday.”
On the performance overall, Strand Larsen added: “[We’re happy with] the result especially. I think the first-half isn't great, but it's a bit what we expected. We have a whole new team almost playing together, a lot of new players, so it will take some time to get into rhythm, to get to know each other.
“I feel like in the second-half, we did really well, and obviously we scored from our chances today. Obviously, I’m buzzing with some goals because it's what I need to get going and get doing. I feel really good at this moment.
“I feel like I've been playing well, so I'm just going to keep on doing that.
“I think we've got a lot of players this season. We want to be in every competition and compete.
“For everyone, that's just positive that we keep on winning in every competition to keep the group happy and to be able to hopefully win a trophy. That will be what we aim for this year as well.”