Palace Edge Goal Fest At Selhurst With Victory Over Blades

The Eagles bounced back from defeat at Arsenal by coming from behind twice against Sheffield United thanks to some absolute class from two players which ended up being the difference between winning and losing.

MATCH INFORMATION

• 8pm – 30th January 2024
• Crystal Palace 3-2 Sheffield United
• Selhurst Park, Holmesdale Road, London SE25 6PU

PLAYER RATINGS

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 1 Sam JOHNSTONE, 5 James TOMKINS, 11 Matheus FRANCA, 17 Nathaniel CLYNE, 29 Naouirou AHAMADA, 44 Jairo RIEDEWALD

OPPOSITION LINE-UP

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 16 Oliver NORWOOD, 23 Ben OSBORN, 38 Femi SERKI

TEB VERDICT

This ended up being a valuable three points, and perhaps not at as much cost as first thought with the two protagonists leaving the field early for precaution rather than anything serious.

It was certainly a game for the neutral in some aspects, and in others it had its very poor moments but how the Eagles found themselves behind on two occasions is hard to fathom. They did but they fought back thanks to three quality goals from Eze and Olise. What would Palace do without those two? Just look at that last 20 minutes or so when they left the pitch! Thankfully, the players managed the end of the game successfully to seal the point, but it is clear which players Roy Hodgson trust to come off the bench and those he has yet to find the same level of trust.

Regardless, it was a win and a much needed one following the heavy loss to Arsenal. It gives the players and the staff something to build on heading into a trip down to the South Coast at the weekend. Let’s hope our two stars will be fit and raring to go.

Notable mentions go out to Will Hughes who really did put in a shift as did Jean-Philippe Mateta – what has happened to this guy with his hold up play suddenly improved dramatically this last four or five games?

POST GAME QUOTES

ROY HODGSON

“I’m very pleased. I thought our first half performance attacking was outstanding. It was an exciting game, I thought Sheffield United certainly played their part.

“We’ve said all along that we think we have very good attacking potential. We don’t think our defending is bad either. With Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze on the field, Jordan Ayew back and Jean-Philippe Mateta playing well, suddenly we’re creating opportunities.

Both Eze and Olise suffered very serious injuries that kept them out for a long period of time. For both, when they do come back to playing with the team, there’s always a risk you will reactivate that injury. I’m hoping now we will keep those two fit and on the field.

They’re not lacking robustness, they’re just two players who have had very serious injuries. With Michael, we’re happy he started the game. We were always going to take him off at a point. With Ebere he scored the goal and just before he made a very strong run and felt his hamstring. It has not been assessed yet, but speaking to him he hasn’t felt like he’s pulled something”

CHRIS WILDER

“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!

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 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.

We tried to bridge the gap, second half we got close. But when they find that little bit of magic. The cross off Olise, the finish off Eze, or the other finish by Olise. They find that bit to get in front.

We can’t score two goals away from home and come away with nothing. Unfortunately, we have done and that’s the life and times of trying to be in the Premier League.”

MATCH STATISTICS

UPCOMING FIXTURES

03/02/24 Brighton (a) – Premier League 3pm

12/02/24 Chelsea (h) – Premier League 8pm

19/02/24 Everton (a) – Premier League 8pm