Crystal Palace 3-2 Sheffield United: Eberechi Eze scores twice in victory over Blades
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Eberechi Eze has scored two goals in a game for the first time since 13 May 2023 against Bournemouth
Michael Olise scored the winning goal on his return from injury as Crystal Palace came from behind twice to secure a vital win over Sheffield United in the Premier League at Selhurst Park.
It was a less than ideal start for Palace as Sheffield United took the lead after only 20 seconds when Ben Brereton Diaz was set behind the defence by Gustavo Hamer and curled into the bottom corner past Dean Henderson.
Palace responded in the 17th minute when Eberechi Eze poked in Michael Olise's chipped cross before James McAtee's deflected shot restored the visitors' lead in the 20th minute.
It then took a moment of magic from Eze to draw Palace level for the second time in the first half. He picked up the ball from Olise before firing a powerful left-footed shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.
The excellent Olise struck the winning goal for Palace in the 67th minute. Jean-Philippe Mateta's attempted cross was blocked but only straight into Olise's path - his curling effort struck the inside of the post before going in to give Palace all three points.
Chris Wilder's side nearly levelled the match late on but Anel Ahmedhodzic's header cannoned back off the Palace crossbar from close range to leave the Blades rooted to the foot of the table.
Olise and Eze shining lights for Palace
Michael Olise is the first Crystal Palace player to register three goal involvements in more than one Premier League game (one goal, two assists), previously doing so against Leeds in April 2023 (three assists)
Both teams came into this match with equally poor runs of form and each had only won once in their previous 10 league games.
Sheffield United have picked up form under Wilder and earned five points since he was reappointed, but their positive start was not rewarded in this game.
The victory gives Palace manager Roy Hodgson a huge boost after coming under pressure in recent weeks for his side's poor form, with supporters displaying a banner during the 5-0 loss at Arsenal to show their discontent.
He was able to name Olise and Eze in his team for just the seventh time this season due to injury and their quality shone through.
Even when the Eagles went behind, Olise's dribbling and crossing ability caused the Blades problems, and his winning goal - his third in his last three Premier League games - ultimately peeled Palace away from trouble at the bottom of the table.
Palace victory was deserved - Hodgson
Olise's presence seemed to free up Eze, who can be doubled up on by the opposition as Palace's main outlet in possession.
The England international showed he could be nearing his best again. His second goal, created from not much of an opportunity, was a superb piece of play and may serve as a reminder to Gareth Southgate as he considers his England squad for the fixtures in March.
However, both Olise and Eze had to go off after receiving treatment, but the latter said both players were fine.
"I'm OK, it was just a precaution, it should be fine," Eze said. "[Michael Olise] is also fine. He's good."
'The gap is two £50m players'
Defeat demonstrates 'ruthless nature' of Premier League - Wilder
Wilder said it was the "£50m pair" of Olise and Eze that proved the difference between his team and Palace.
"It just shows the ruthless nature of the Premier League. I wish Michael Olise could have made his comeback at the weekend instead of coming back tonight," Wilder said.
"We got off to a fabulous start. We talk about our competitiveness and attitude that we need to bridge the gap. That gap is two £50m players: Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise - and you've also got Jefferson Lerma, and Marc Guehi who is a centre-half for England, and Joachim Andersen who is one of the best centre-backs in Europe.
"That's what you're up against."
Hodgson said Eze and Olise, along with Jordan Ayew and Jean-Philippe Mateta, allowed Palace to "create chances in a totally different way" against the Blades.
"I've always believed that the team has a lot of quality and in the first 60 minutes we showed that," Hodgson said on Sky Sports.