EZE DOES IT …AND NOW IT’S UP TO GARETH

EBERECHI EZE is a rare talent. Rare in that he controls a game from midfield by playing like a winger. There is something of Jack Grealish about him; an ability to make mannequins of opponents as he skates forward at will, always with the ball seemingly on a string. On Saturday, Eze dictated an entire contest by dribbling around and through a helpless Sheffield United side.

Two such runs saw him create one goal — for Christian Benteke — and score another. On first viewing, it looks as if the 22-year-old belongs out wide, such is his skill-set. But that would be to conform, to limit his impact to one side of the pitch. Rather, by positioning him in the middle of it, Eze’s influence is multiplied. Palace had one tactic at Bramall Lane: give it to Eze. That is not a criticism. Why complicate things? It worked. The only point of regret was that his solo goal two minutes from time found its way into the net via a deflection, for a clean conversion would have had it in the running for the season’s best.

He was 80 yards from goal when he collected the ball, evaded John Lundstram’s flying challenge and floated upfield before finishing from inside the area, albeit via John Fleck’s attempted block. Eze is an England Under 21 regular and it is said Gareth Southgate wants to see a more consistent end-product before consideration is given to senior elevation. That is unlikely to come this summer, not with the depth of talent in his position.

But with the expanded 26-man squad — and fitness doubts over Grealish — Southgate could do worse than consider Eze (left) as a wildcard pick, were numbers to allow. For now, though, Eze must continue to work on his own numbers. He has four goals and five assists this season. A talent such as his is capable of far more. SHEFF UTD (5-3-2): Ramsdale 7; Baldock 6, Basham 5, Egan 5, Bryan 5 (Lundstram 80min), Stevens 5.5; Berge 5 (Osborn 59, 6), Norwood 6, Fleck 5; McGoldrick 5, Burke 5 (Jebbison 65, 5.5). Subs not used: Foderingham, Lowe, Jagielka, Robinson, Bogle, Brewster.

Booked: Norwood. Manager: Paul Heckingbottom 5. CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1): Guaita 6; Ward 6, Kouyate 6.5, Cahill 6.5, Mitchell 6; Milivojevic 6.5, EZE 8; Townsend 6 (Ayew 75, 5) Schlupp 6.5 (Riedewald 71, 6), Zaha 6.5; Benteke 6.5. Subs not used: Butland, Van Aanholt, Dann, Kelly, McCarthy, Batshuayi, Mateta. Scorers: Benteke 2, Eze 88. Booked: Ward. Manager: Roy Hodgson 7. Referee: Simon Hooper 6.