ROY MAKES IT LOOK SO EZE
But skipper Milivojevic in disgrace after his New Year’s Eve Covid breach
CRYSTAL PALACE boss Roy Hodgson defended his decision to play Luka Milivojevic and let him remain captain after breaking Covid guidelines.
First-half strikes from Jeffrey Schlupp and a wonder- goal from substitute Eberechi Eze gave the Eagles a comfortable and much-needed first win in six games.
But Serbian skipper Milivojevic was a surprise inclusion after being filmed partying on New Year’s Eve and breaching government protocols.
Hodgson said: “We will be speaking to Luka. We disapprove totally and are very disappointed that one of our players has broken the government guidelines.
“And especially at a time when so many people are suffering from having to adhere to these guidelines.
“We will take our responsibility and apologise.
“And we will make certain Luka apologises, realises what he has done is totally wrong, and we will deal with it internally.
“I feel it was right for him to play – he had not tested positive and no Premier League protocols were broken.
“I think him not playing or losing the captaincy would have been taking it too far.
“However, Saturdays don’t get much better with goals, a clean sheet and three points.
“We ourselves have seen our confidence dented so this win was important.”
Sheffield United’s start to the New Year was even worse than the way they ended 2020.
The unwanted records and statistics are mounting up for Chris Wilder’s side, which was missing NINE players.
And there was a new milestone – at 17 games without a win this is officially the longest such streak from the start of a Premier League season in history.
No team has gone that long without a win in the top flight since Bolton in the 1902- 03 season – and 20 league games without a win is a new club record.
The odds on the Blades failing to beat ‘ worst-ever’ Derby’s record low total of 11 points are shrinking all the time.
Wilder, recently backed by the club’s owners despite the grim story told by the table, said: “I have not taken too much interest in the stats. But we are obviously disappointed in those and being off the pace in this league as we have been.
“It is tough and there is no hiding place, even with nine unavailable. In League One, where we were four years ago, that would have hurt us.
“Eze’s goal was a bad one for us. We should do better and I heard the fourth official say ‘that’s it’ for half-time about four times.” So short of manpower were the visitors that they only filled six of the permitted nine replacement spaces on the bench.
And they were behind after just four minutes.
Initially there was good work from Wilfried Zaha out on the left.
And after he cut the ball inside to Christian Benteke the big Belgium striker fed Schlupp, who drove into the far corner past
Aaron Ramsdale via a deflection. Goalscorer Schlupp, following a lengthy stoppage clutching the back of his leg with a possible hamstring strain, was replaced on 40 minutes by Eze. Shortly after that came a rare thing – a Sheffield United shot on goal – as Jay Jayden Bogle got his e effort on target, o only to see Vicente Guaita make the save. But there was t to be another b blow for the
Blades deep in half- time stoppage time, and it was a superb goal conjured up by sub Eze – signed from QPR for £18million last summer.
The playmaker glided from his own half towards the United goal, went past three defenders and then skilfully curled his shot into the far corner.
Wilder ( left) was unhappy with the six minutes of added time in the first period – and instantly raised his concerns with the fourth official.
United had more of the ball in the second half while still rarely threatening, though
I have not taken too much interest in the stats. It is tough and there is no hiding place, even with nine players unavailable
Oliver Norwood did force a save from Guaita. There was a glimpse of a better Blades future as teenager Antwoine Hackford came on to replace Ben Osborn. Hackford, at 16 years and 288 days, is the visitors’ youngest ever Prem player. And the rookie striker almost grabbed some consolation glory – but Joel Ward blocked his late shot.