JUSTIN Devenny revealed what he felt in the moment he scored his first goal for Crystal Palace in their 2-2 with Aston Villa at Villa Park at the weekend.
Ismaila Sarr ran on to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s pass and beat Emiliano Martinez four minutes in before Ollie Watkins equalised in the 36th minute.
Villa had the chance to go in front when Will Hughes fouled Leon Bailey but Dean Henderson saved Youri Tielemans’ penalty.
Then came Devenny’s moment as he finished from Sarr’s cross in first-half added-time after a swift breakaway.
Ross Barkley headed home Tielemans corner with thirteen minutes left to earn a point for Unai Emery’s side.
“I knew there was obviously going to be a chance when it was [played in] for me and JP,” Devenny said.
“I just knocked it around the defender. It’s a great moment. That’s one I’ll look back on for the rest of my life.
“Do you know what? It just happened in slow motion. I just saw it roll across and then I was like, ‘this is my moment.’ I’ve taken it.”
Devenny had nothing but praise for his team-mates, who piled in the celebration after his knee-slide.
“Every single one has been brilliant,” Devenny said. “I mean, I literally get to learn off the top professionals every day.
“That’s something that I want to then introduce to my game as well, the level of professionalism.
“They’ve been brilliant, very, very helpful.”
It was only Devenny’s second appearance for the Eagles.
He said: “Honestly, I was just given an opportunity. That’s what it starts with, just an opportunity and then you’ve just got to grab it with both hands.
“I feel like I have done that, but for me, this is not where I want to end. This is where I want to just keep going.
“Hopefully I’ll come in here again, do another interview if that’s what it means.
“I’ll just keep going and keep going.”
Meanwhile, Henderson didn’t want to take all the credit for his penalty save.
He said: “I’ll be honest, I don’t think it’s a penalty under any circumstance. But sometimes this happens, and sometimes you do your homework.
“Big credit to the goalkeeping department as well. We sat through it this morning, and do you know what? A big moment, and we go up the other end, we score the goal, and we get a foothold in the game. It gives us something to hold on to.
“Obviously, to a man, I thought everyone was phenomenal today. We defended well, put the bodies on the line when we had to, and big credit to everyone, [including] all the boys coming off the bench.”
Henderson added: “It was proper. It was backs against the walls at times, but the boys dug in and defended really well.
“To come here and score two goals, which we’ve struggled on of late, the boys were phenomenal. Everyone knows that injuries hit massively, but the boys stepped up today.
“Special mention to Justin as well, on his first Premier League goal. So proud of him. Obviously only just coming in, just took everything in his stride.
“It’s not an easy place to come, and obviously to start again after the result last time. He’s been phenomenal, and his attitude’s been great.
“And Ismaila as well, to score his first goal. He’s been phenomenal and he’s been getting chances, not quite putting them away, so hopefully that’ll do his confidence a world of good, because he’s a top player.
“Hopefully we can build on that confidence and kick on next weekend.”
