The next time the ball came to him, in the 83rd minute, he didn't hesitate.
He received the pass, and just as the Palace left-back, Tyrick Mitchell, prepared to show him down the line, Salah did the exact opposite. He cut inside with a single, explosive, devastating touch.
The defender, completely wrong-footed, was left stumbling, grasping at thin air.
Salah was in. He drove at the heart of the defense, creating pure, unadulterated panic.
He unleashed a furious shot that was parried away by the keeper.
The chance was gone, but the seed was planted. The cheat code had been activated.
"A MOMENT OF GENIUS FROM SALAH!" the commentator roared. "He cut inside with a speed and a conviction that completely bamboozled the defense! Where did that come from?!"
Two minutes later, they did it again. Salah got the ball, cut inside, and this time he was brought down, winning a dangerous free-kick.
