Crystal Palace are through to the last 16 of the UEFA Conference League, completing a 3-1 aggregate win with a 2-0 home victory over Zrinjski Mostar.

The South London Premier League club had to display patience and resilience throughout a challenging week.

In football, a week is a long time. Just a week ago, in the first leg, a 1-1 draw in Mostar had left fans frustrated, with some even calling for manager Oliver Glasner’s sacking. Glasner’s post-match interviews, he admitted he might not be up to the job. These were confusing comments, but he did little to calm the storm – “It’s important to stay humble and I think it’s the same for the fans.

Never forget where you have come from. The few who are so critical in this situation are not humble anymore and have forgotten where they have come from. Usually in life, you get punished for this.’’ These words angered a significant portion of the fanbase.

This led to an outspoken banner at Palace’s home match against Wolves just days later, declaring: “Opportunities missed – board inept. Fans disrespected – Glasner finished.”

But football is unpredictable, and a dramatic last-minute winner from Evann Guessand against Wolves shifted the mood. Dean Henderson’s crucial penalty save and the victory could prove to be a turning point for Palace’s season.

By Thursday night, Selhurst Park was buzzing and a real shift in energy. The fans were firmly behind the team and most were behind Glasner.

Palace, though patient, eventually broke the deadlock in the 36th minute against a defensively well-organised Zrinjski Mostar. Adam Wharton delivered a pinpoint free kick, which Maxence Lacroix headed home for the opener. The Eagles took a deserved lead into the break.

@forfitnesssake Palace secure their place into the last 16 #cpfc #palace #fyp #football #uefa ♬ Show Me Love – WizTheMc & bees & honey

Zrinjski, sitting back for much of the first half, had to be more attacking in the second. They did just that, creating a few chances, including a disallowed offside goal, which was a huge relief to the home crowd.

Despite not being at their most fluent, Palace kept their composure. The tie was sealed in the dying seconds with Guessand making it 2-0 and sending Palace into the next round of the competition. The European dream is still alive, and you could feel a wave of optimism around Selhurst Park.

One week in football really is a long time. Could this be the week that turns everything around?

Speaking after the game, Glasner’s interview couldn’t have been more different from the one just a day earlier. His words may go a long way in mending relations with some fans. He said – “The best was last year, so maybe the best two in Palace’s history – playing European football for the first time, and there’s so much noise that sometimes we really don’t understand it.

Maybe I gave some interviews that weren’t really helpful, I admit that. But I always say what I’m feeling, and sometimes it’s positive, sometimes not so much. That’s Oliver Glasner. In the end, we are in a very good position in the league, and now it’s up to us with our fans to make a really good season out of it.”

Regarding the game, he added, “It’s a perfect night for us. We’re really happy to win the game. We were angry about our performance against them last week. But at home, we showed we have the quality for this tournament, and we’re really happy to win in front of our fans.”

With the highest Premier League points total ever and a European Cup now firmly within reach, it’s all to play for. A big three months ahead for Crystal Palace.