It was a dream start to life at Selhurst Park for former Millwall man Romain Esse on Sunday afternoon.

Former Millwall winger Romain Esse fulfilled a prophecy set out by Neil Harris when making his Premier League debut for Crystal Palace in head-turning fashion on Sunday afternoon.

The Eagles signed the 19-year-old from Millwall for £14.5 million earlier this month after a long interest in the rising star. Esse was named on the bench for the visit of Brentford to Selhurst Park and came on to make his debut in the second half.

The winger, who made 66 Millwall appearances since breaking into the first team in 2022, took just 30 seconds to find himself in the scoresheet as he gave Oliver Glasner's side a chance of reversing a 2-0 deficit. Crystal Palace eventually lost 2-1 to their London rivals, but it was a memorable debut for Esse.

Romain Esse scores ‘brilliant’ Crystal Palace goal

Speaking on Sky Sports as Esse tapped in from close range, commentator Alan Smith said: "I bet he cannot believe it! His first touch. He probably came on thinking, 'gaffer, why have you put me on now?'. 30 seconds into his debut, he won't forget this in a hurry. Fan favourite already."

The Crystal Palace man also earned praise from Jamie Redknapp, who analysed the goal after full-time. Redknapp said: "It's brilliant. Look at him, he's alive there at the back post. It's not an easy one as it's skidding, look at his movement and enthusiasm to get involved. He doesn't get that first one but doesn't wait, gets in at the back post and gets the goal."

While seeing their wonderkid score for another London club will pain Millwall fans, it is a rise that was predicted by former manager Neil Harris. Before his sudden departure from The Den in December, the Lions boss had tipped Esse to make the transition into the top flight.

Speaking in September, Harris said: “I don’t worry about Romain’s mentality – he’s a brilliant young man. He has been schooled well here and has had a good upbringing at home. Romain just loves playing football. He wants to be on the pitch and he loves winning as well, which is important for us.

“Gary [Rowett] is right – there will be a lot of interest. He’s a 19-year-old who is playing in the Championship. Romain’s focus, and he’s been told in no uncertain terms, has to be to stay in the team.

“That’s his priority focus – everything else in football will come after that. If you’re not playing regularly from the start in the Championship, then you’re never going to move up the levels. Romain has huge potential. He’s a really grounded boy with great ability. He has added to his end product this year already. If he carries on doing that, then Romain will certainly grace the Premier League at some stage.”

Esse tipped for Premier League success thanks to ‘X factor’

Those Harris quotes came in response to former Millwall manager Gary Rowett bigging up the player on Sky Sports. Esse had registered three goals and an assist in the Championship by early October as a breakthrough 12 months at The Den continued.

Rowett, who knows the player thanks to his four years at Millwall, said: “Premier League clubs will be looking at him very, very closely. He has got so much ability. Honestly, when he first came into the team a couple of years ago, he was one of those kids you look at and you think ‘wow’.

“I don’t think he’s put that into consistent performances on the pitch just yet, but if he does, he’s a superstar in the making. He has got absolutely everything. I’m expecting big things this season, he’s started it well, scoring a couple of goals, but he just needs a run of games. That’s like any young player, when he plays badly, he needs to stay in the team if he can - I know it’s difficult for a manager, but he’s got so much quality, and I’ve been really impressed with him.

“He does everything right in training, he’s got such a lovely attitude. He’s the first one out for training, shaking everyone’s hands, he’s so respectful, and he’s got that little bit of X-Factor. For Millwall, sometimes it’s easy to pick players who are going to work hard, that will give the fans what they want, but Esse can give you something different.”