Crystal Palace

Image source, Opta

Nicola Pearson, BBC Sport

After the exit of talisman Wilfried Zaha, many Crystal Palace fans might have been concerned which players would step up to fill the gap left behind.

But after an impressive performance in the Eagle's 1-0 win over newly promoted Sheffield United, midfielder Eberechi Eze will have allayed some of those fears.

The 25-year-old created seven chances for his team in Saturday's game, with no Palace player creating more in a single Premier League game for the side since Jason Puncheon's eight against Sunderland in 2016.

In fact, Eze became just the fourth player on record (since Opta started recording in 2003-04) to have eight or more shots and create seven or more chances in a Premier League match, alongside Frank Lampard, Nani and David Silva.

Always on the lookout to help his side in attack, he came out on top in passes in the final third and total crosses for the Eagles.

The England international was also not afraid to get himself involved inside the opposition goal area either, with his five shots and eight touches inside the box second only to striker Odsonne Edouard for the side.

A constant threat in the middle and final third of the pitch - as shown on his heat and touch maps - if the club can keep hold of the exciting talent fans can look forward to post-Zaha life with optimism instead of apprehension.

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Image source, Opta

We asked for your views on Saturday's game between Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.

Here are some of your comments:

Sheffield United fans

Robert: First half was just like both teams were in the Championship. The offsides spared our blushes and the triple substitution showed Hecky's frustration. A great crowd, making lots of noise - plenty of Palace fans too. But we are nervous. No real budget, an owner selling, but a great manager.

Blade: Considering the departure of two key players in as many weeks, I thought it was a spirited, but at times lacklustre, performance at the Lane. Lots of positives, but this league is unforgiving when trying to get points on the board. I hope that the team get enough time to gel into a more organised and creative outfit before time runs out.

Graham: Given limitations to available players we fought hard but a difference in class showed.

Malc: We played a team consisting of Basham, Norwood and Osborne, which are not good enough for the Premier League. These players can't score goals, and don't create anything. Defensively we look OK, up front we had two unknowns that have never played in league football, never mind the Premier League. We need new signings quickly, or we are going down.

Crystal Palace fans

Stephen: Sheffield United aren’t exactly a top Premier League team and I feel we will struggle this year. Palace should have really scored three or four goals and I was somewhat disappointed they didn’t. Having said that, this was the first game of the season and a win is a win. Going forward, Palace still need to strengthen their forward line.

Steve: I thought we owned the game and I was very pleased with all our performances but mostly Edouard as he was bought in as a striker and today he looked it.

Josh: Interesting game. Could and should have scored more, but didn't. Just goes to show that we're in need of a goalscorer. However if Edouard scores 10 or more goals this season we'll be alright. Eze impressed as I thought he would. A win is a win, well played lads.

Simon: A solid start. We were creating chances but we need to be more ruthless in front of goal. Tougher challenges await us. Guehi going off injured is a worry. Ayew and Schlupp put in a shift and lots of positives with Lerma and Doucoure building a great partnership in midfield. Edouard made a good start but needs to be consistent and get more than 10 goals.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis of Saturday's first seven fixtures of the 2023-24 Premier League season, plus goals from Friday's meeting between newly-promoted Burnley and Manchester City.

If you missed Match of the Day then fear not - you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here.

Manchester City will consider Crystal Palace's 21-year-old midfielder Michael Olise if they fail to sign West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Ben Collins, BBC Sport

Crystal Palace showed what life after Wilfried Zaha could look like as they spoiled Sheffield United's return to the Premier League.

This season is the first since 2013-14 where the Eagles will be without Zaha after their talismanic forward's departure in the summer.

But Jordan Ayew set up Odsonne Edouard to score the only goal and Palace had chances to make their victory more emphatic.

Ayew, Edouard and Eberechi Eze all impressed, suggesting they will relish having greater responsibility in the absence of Zaha.

Edouard, 25, only scored five league goals last season but manager Roy Hodgson said he saw what quality the French striker has after taking charge in March.

The Eagles played more attacking football under Hodgson, with Eze earning an England debut, and the veteran Palace boss hopes this confidence boost will inspire a more productive run from Edouard too.

With Michael Olise and new signing Matheus Franca still to come back from injury, this was an encouraging start for the Eagles.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson following his side's win over Sheffield United: "We knew Sheffield United would make like difficult for us and they wouldn't take too many chances playing through the midfield, but I thought we dealt with it extremely well. It's just a bit disappointing not to get that second goal to give ourselves a margin.

"Odsonne [Edouard] has been excellent in pre-season. I don't think we saw the best of him last season. In the 10 games I had at the end of the season we always thought the quality was there.

"What he's done for us in pre-season and today, that's what he's got. That's in his locker and it's really good to see him bringing that out.

"I hope today's game, not just the goal but his all-round play, will improve his confidence because if we can get him playing at that level week after week, I think we can be a handful for a lot of teams."

• Odsonne Edouard has now scored in his first game of a Premier League season in two of his three campaigns in the competition, after netting a brace on his debut against Tottenham in September 2021.

• Eberechi Eze created seven chances for Crystal Palace in this game, the last player to create more for the Eagles in a single Premier League game was Jason Puncheon against Sunderland in September 2016 (8).

• The 24 shots that Sheffield United faced against Crystal Palace is the joint-most they’ve faced in a Premier League game since 2003-04.

• Having gone unbeaten in their opening game in each of their first four Premier League seasons (W2 D2), the Blades have now lost each of their past two

Odsonne Edouard spoiled Sheffield United's return to the Premier League to give Crystal Palace a winning start to life after Wilfried Zaha.

This season is the first since 2013-14 where the Eagles will be without Zaha after their talismanic forward's departure in the summer.

But Edouard turned in Jordan Ayew's cross just after half-time.

Debutant William Osula went close for United but Palace had several chances to make their victory more emphatic.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from home?

Sheffield United fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Crystal Palace fans?

Follow all the reaction here

There are six games being played in the Premier League on Saturday and we'll bring you every moment.

Follow all the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton will be making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of rivals. First up is two-time world champion boxer Anthony Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Sheffield United are not exactly back in the big time with a bang because, since getting promoted, they have sold all their best players.

The Blades may bring players in before the end of the transfer window, but their business so far has been very odd. Their fans must be on a bit of a downer and the manager Paul Heckingbottom has got his work cut out to keep them up.

They were quite a powerful team in the Championship and they were very well organised, but will they have the quality they will need to go with their commitment if they are going to stay up? I'm not convinced they will.

Crystal Palace are starting life without talisman Wilfried Zaha following his move to Turkey and they will be looking to Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise to step up.

They might not be as free scoring as they were at the end of last season but I still think they Eagles will get the win.

Joshua's prediction: 0-1

Hearn's prediction: 1-0

Find out what Sutton, Joshua and Hearn predicted for the rest of the weekend's action here

Jay Crame, The Eagles Beak, external

Where will you finish? 12th.

Young talent to break through? Hopefully Jesurun Rak-Sakyi will stay and be a part of the squad this season and get the odd opportunity to show what he can do.

Who needs to move on? Jean-Philippe Mateta. Just not quite up to being a Premier League striker and we need better.

Happy with your manager? Yes, but the club must plan for next summer. We cannot always rely on Roy to step in.

What are you most looking forward to? Seeing if Hodgson can continue where he ended last season and if Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise can continue to shine.

Any other business? Life without Wilfried Zaha will be very odd!

Want more fan predictions? Read the full piece here