Adam Wharton answered his critics — and perhaps Thomas Tuchel — with a commanding man-of-the-match performance as Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the UEFA Conference League final in Leipzig, securing the club's first European trophy.

The 22-year-old's display drew immediate attention to Tuchel's decision to leave him out of England's 26-man World Cup squad, a selection that had already divided opinion among pundits and former players before the final whistle blew.

A dominant night for Wharton

Wharton was the standout figure on what is arguably the biggest night in Crystal Palace's history. He controlled the tempo from deep, winning aerial duels, breaking up Rayo Vallecano's attacks, and — crucially — moving the ball into dangerous areas with a regularity no other player in the match could match.

He registered more touches and more passes into the final third than any other player on the pitch. His ambition was rewarded when his speculative effort was fumbled by Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla into the path of Jean-Philippe Mateta, who converted for the only goal of the game.

Wharton also came agonisingly close to an assist when a precise cross for Tyrick Mitchell late in the first half was headed wide. It was, by any measure, a complete central midfield performance on a stage that demands nothing less.

Former England stars weigh in