Crystal Palace have lacked a game changer this term – someone who can spark life into the team at the back end of games. Romain Esse might be that man.

Before Sunday’s defeat to Brentford at Selhurst Park, a substitute had not scored for Oliver Glasner’s side this season. However, one minute and 59 seconds after Esse’s introduction, the debutant had netted his first goal in a Palace shirt with his first touch in the Premier League. Poetic.

Heading into the January transfer window, the Eagles identified a direct attacker who can take games by the scruff of the neck as their primary target, which they soon obtained in Esse, signed from South London rivals Millwall for £14.5m. Despite Glasner highlighting that the Lions academy product is “another option to impact games” in his pre-Brentford press conference, nobody could have imagined such an immediate influence.

Although it is vital to manage expectations after the teenager opened his Palace account, the goal showed his football intelligence in abundance. Esse, a right-winger, drifted over to the left and sought out the space before Eberechi Eze launched a cross to Daniel Munoz who cut it back to the 19-year-old at the back post for a simple finish.

While it was not the most difficult chance to dispatch, the young attacker's recognition of where the space was and occupation of that area was a promising sign. He started on the right flank and floated into the middle before bursting into the space on the left — it was the exact liveliness Palace had lacked this term.

Speaking to Sky Sports after Sunday’s defeat, Esse explained his inclination to burst into the space on the left.

“I went over to the left side for a bit to try and get the ball,” Esse shared, “then I found myself at the back post and it was instinctive. It is what I am about – the more games you see, the more I will show what I am about.”

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The trend of Palace’s season has been success against teams who play a higher line – with Ismailla Sarr having joy in behind – while struggling against the more defensively disciplined outfits, particularly low blocks. Largely, that has been due to the profile of forwards with the absence of someone who can take a player on with trickery and carry the ball at speed.

Yet, on debut against Thomas Frank's organised and defensive side, Esse instantly offered a solution to that problem. His movement for the goal was majestic, finding space and roaming through undetected. Shortly after finding the back of the net, he once again embarked on a cross-field run. Albeit unsuccessful on the second occasion, it showed his constant eye for space.

Similarly to Eze, Esse is an attacker who will move towards the space. He provides Palace with an enticing alternative on the right-hand side and makes the attacking unit more complete.

When Michael Olise departed for Bayern Munich in the summer for £50m, the hierarchy at Selhurst Park opted to replace the Frenchman with numerous options to play on the right. However, the South London outfit left the puzzle unfinished in the summer and had to return to the market in January to complete it.

Now, Palace are better equipped on the right, with Sarr, who enjoys playing off the last man, the skilful and tricky Esse, who seeks out space, while Daichi Kamada, Justin Devenny, Jeffrey Schlupp, and Eddie Nketiah can also cover in that role.

(Image: PA) Despite Esse being exceptionally raw, he occupies good areas where he can leave his mark. Most impressively, he always looks to be involved. In his 20-minute spell on Sunday, he frequently called for a pass when the ball reached the final third. The Lambeth-born forward was active with both his positioning and communication on the pitch. Alongside his natural flair and pace, his alertness will prove a useful asset.

Reflecting on Esse’s first goal for the Eagles, Glasner explained that the attacker showed his clever movement throughout his first week in training.

“He had a good start with us, it will help him with his confidence and getting integrated.

“It was his first game in the Premier League, he had a nice start, but I am sure he will remain humble because he is a good guy. We will support him like we support every player. It is not for me or anyone in the club to demand he scores every game.

“We will give him his minutes, it is not a gift because he has quality or we have just signed him, he has shown in training that he has a good finish and a good feeling for where to move and create situations – this is what he showed and why we put him on. It’s the beginning of his journey and it was a good beginning.”

Esse seized his first opportunity in a Palace shirt, showing a glimpse of his talent. He immediately conveyed that he has the making of an innovator in attack. However, there remains a lot to learn as he navigates through his Premier League probationary period.

All excitement should be caveated with caution, but his first outing showed supreme surveillance in the final third. Palace have been shrewd in recruiting talent from EFL, and at less than £15m, Esse could very well be their next steal.