Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has endorsed Romain Esse’s decision to celebrate his first Premier League goal during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Brentford.

Esse scored with his first touch in the Premier League, cutting Palace’s deficit against the Bees in half with 15 minutes to play.

Despite the Eagles being behind, Esse wheeled towards the corner flag before letting loose an impassioned knee-slide.

When getting up, he pointed towards an imaginary watch on his hand, until teammate Tyrick Mitchell dragged him away.

(Image: PA)

After receiving some criticism on social media for his celebrations, the 19-year-old took to Instagram: “First and foremost, I’d like to say I’m devastated with the result of the game, but on a personal note, I’m buzzing to have made my Premier League debut and to of scored my first Premier League goal for this great club, first of many. (a bit carried away with cele, but this meant a lot for me & my family!)”

The £14.5m attacker has since edited the post and removed the apologetic line.

Eagles gaffer Glasner backed Esse's celebration, sharing that he tells the players to celebrate every goal they score.

“Of course, he should [celebrate]. Everybody can blame me because he had to celebrate, that is what I expect from players.  

“I always tell the players to celebrate every single goal – this is why we play football. If we don’t celebrate or feel happy when we score a goal, then quit.

“If we have a game in training and they score I want them to celebrate. If I don’t enjoy it or feel great when I score a goal then there is something wrong.

“It worries me, sometimes I watch youth teams, children play, they score a goal, and they go back as if it’s a normal thing. I go: ‘Come on, can’t they show their emotions,’ it is the best thing in the world.

“When you have your first game for a team in the Premier League and you score a goal, if you don’t celebrate, I would not understand. 

“It’s unfair to say ‘don’t celebrate’ when you are losing because at that moment everyone in the stadium – besides the Brentford fans – got their hope back that we could find an equaliser.

“He did not know that we would lose. There was 15 minutes to play. In that particular moment, it is important to show our emotions to catch our fans, to create optimism and to show we are back again."