Crystal Palace Bounce Back vs Bottom-Place Wolves as Daichi Kamada Returns from Japan Duty

Analysis by Hikaru Sakamoto

Wolves 0–2 Crystal Palace: Daichi Kamada Shines on Return, Eagles Keep Third Straight Clean Sheet

Crystal Palace returned to Premier League action after the international break with a solid 2–0 away win over bottom-place Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Japan international Daichi Kamada, starting in a double-pivot role, played until the 81st minute and helped the Eagles secure their third consecutive clean sheet and first win in two matches.

Kamada active early in midfield role
Kamada looked sharp from the start, operating as one of the two central midfielders.
In the 20th minute, he nearly opened the scoring: a loose ball fell to him on the right side of the box, and his low shot—similar to his left-footed goal for Japan against Bolivia—was kept out by a strong save from the Wolves goalkeeper.

Throughout the first half, Kamada linked play well, popping up in key defensive transitions and switching play into wide areas to trigger Palace attacks.
The match remained scoreless at halftime.

Palace break the deadlock through set-piece pressure
The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute.
Kamada restarted a short corner, and the sequence ended with Adam Wharton’s left-footed strike, which deflected into a dangerous area.
Right-back Daniel Muñoz reacted quickest and smashed the loose ball into the net to give Palace a deserved 1–0 lead.

Kamada sparks second goal with high press
Only six minutes later, Palace doubled their advantage.
Kamada blocked a Wolves clearance high up the pitch, and the loose ball rolled perfectly into space for Yeremy Pino, who finished the short counterattack with precision to make it 2–0.

Comfortable finish as Palace take all three points
With Palace two goals up, Kamada was subbed off in the 81st minute to a warm reception from the away supporters.
The Eagles held firm for the remainder of the match, closing out a 2–0 win and handing the struggling Wolves another defeat.

Crystal Palace now move back on track with a clean, professional performance and positive contributions across the pitch—highlighted by Kamada’s sharp display in midfield.

The Bigger Picture

International breaks often disrupt momentum, especially for teams riding a delicate balance between structure and confidence. For Crystal Palace, the concern was whether that rhythm would survive the pause. What followed at Molineux was not a statement win, but something arguably more valuable: continuity.

Among Palace supporters, the dominant emotion is not surprise, but reassurance. This performance felt like confirmation that recent progress is real rather than accidental. The clean sheet, the controlled phases of play, and the contributions across the spine of the team all point to a side that understands its roles. The attention naturally gravitates toward standout names, but the underlying mood suggests appreciation for how the pieces fit together.

Daichi Kamada’s return added another layer to that sense of stability. His influence was subtle rather than spectacular, yet his presence shaped sequences that mattered. At the same time, players like Wharton and Guehi continue to represent both promise and pressure — symbols of how quickly success can attract external attention. Even in victory, Palace fans are already balancing enjoyment with awareness of what may come next.

Fan Reactions

• Pinoooo is here, lads!!
• Japan fans be like: “Yep, first goal from a corner, second from Kamada winning the ball. Business as usual.”
• Pino with a banger — lad woke up choosing chaos.
• Kamada might secretly be the pre-assist king of Europe.
• Wharton and Guehi absolutely owned the pitch. Pino’s first, Muñoz’s goal… Palace looked like prime Barcelona for a minute.
• Fair enough, today really belonged to Wharton and Guehi.
• Funny enough, Lacroix somehow gets an assist for that messy VAR chaos. Football gods work in mysterious ways.
• Kamada did his job, tidy as always. Shame his shot didn’t go in.
• Guehi is just ridiculous. No wonder every big club is circling like sharks.
• Winter move? Summer move? Either way, Liverpool being the only ones bidding now somehow feels scarier than Wolves.
• He said he wants to go abroad in the summer — Real and Bayern rumors starting their annual migration already.
• Temporary 4th place. Meanwhile Liverpool are busy auditioning for a comedy show.
• Staying 4th won’t be easy — three teams on 18 points breathing down our necks. Classic Palace stress season.
• This version of Crystal Palace is… actually fun? What timeline is this?
• Wharton’s a monster. Academy should just print money at this point.
• Japan fans: “Kamada pushed high early but couldn’t quite get the final touch. Rare to see him attacking the box on corners though.”
• Still, starting for the fourth-place Premier League side… not bad at all.

What Remains

What remains after this win is a quiet confidence, mixed with familiar caution. Palace supporters are enjoying the football again, not because it promises an assured finish, but because it feels coherent. There is satisfaction in seeing roles executed cleanly, pressure applied at the right moments, and games closed out without drama.

At the same time, the recurring mentions of Wharton, Guehi, and Kamada hint at an awareness that momentum brings exposure. Praise arrives alongside speculation, and pride sits next to unease. This is not panic, but perspective — an understanding shaped by seasons of learning how fragile progress can be.

For now, Palace move forward with points secured and structure intact. The enjoyment is real, even if it comes with an instinctive glance over the shoulder. That balance — between optimism and restraint — may be the clearest sign of a fanbase that knows exactly where its club stands.