EAGLES SOAR BACK EZE WAY

NO wonder Roy Hodgson calls them the pillars of the Palace.

Eberechi Eze (below) scored twice and Michael Olise had a goal and two assists as the Eagles twice came from behind against Sheffield United.

Goals from Ben Brereton Diaz and James Mcatee had put the visitors in the driving seat.

But the combination of Eze (above) and Olise eased the pressure on under-fire Eagles boss Hodgson, who often calls the pair his foundations for the future.

It was only struggling Crystal Palace’s second win in 11 Premier League games and all the more important for coming against a relegation rival.

In addition, a miserable night for Sheffield United was underlined by new signing Ivo Grbic being forced off on his Premier League debut with suspected concussion.

Palace went into the game boosted by two new signings, right-back Daniel Munoz and Blackburn midfielder Adam Wharton. But they suffered a shocking start when the Blades cut through them to score 21 seconds into the game.

It was Brererton Diaz with a sweet finish into the far corner after some good work by Gustavo Hamer, but the goal came about after some woeful defending from Palace.

Every point has become priceless for Chris Wilder’s Blades and they certainly looked up for the fight after a run of five league games without a win.

It did not last long, but it took an absolutely sublime inswinging cross from Michael Olise to unlock the Blades, with Eze stabbing home. The visitors hit back quickly, with Mcatee firing them quickly back. But Olise had the final say – to Hodgson’s relief. C PALACE: Henderson 6, Richards 6, Andersen 7, Guehi 6, Mitchell 6, Lerma 6, Hughes 5, Eze 9 (Ozoh 78), Olise 8 (Schlupp 70), Mateta 6 (Edouard (90+1), J Ayew 6 SHEFF UTD: Grbic 6 (Foderingham 52, 6), Bogle 6, Ahmedhodzic 6, Robinson 6 (Larouci 82), Trusty 6, De Souza Costa 6, Mcatee 7, Hamer 6 (Archer 87), Ben Slimane 6 (Norringtondavies 45, 6), Brereton 7 (Brooks 45, 6), Mcburnie 6 (Osula 64, 6)

REF: Tony Harrington

MOTM