ANDROS GOES TO TOWN ON ALBION

Winger stuns Baggies with brace as Eagles soar

ANDROS TOWNSEND scored a sensational solo goal and added another late on to help send Premier League Palace through.

Roy Hodgson’s men were a class above at The Hawthorns, where they led from Townsend’s sixth-minute opener.

The attacking ace, capped 13 times by England, ran from inside his own half, before unleashing a dipping left-foot shot from 30 yards.

It was worthy of winning any game – especially this one where both sides made multiple changes. Patrick van Aanholt also scored in the closing stages, before Townsend completed his man-of-the-match display to make it 3-0.

Albion made 10 changes with Ahmed Hegazi the only survivor from the win over Millwall. The visitors made eight, but 27-year-old Townsend shrewdly stayed in the side.

Palace might have doubled their lead in the 17th minute when Jeffrey Schlupp’s header, from Townsend’s cross, was kept out by keeper Boaz Myhill.

Albion took until the 27th minute to test Vicente Guaita in the Palace goal with a free-kick from Conor Townsend.

The Eagles remained dangerous with Schlupp robbing Tosin Adarabioyo before having a shot deflected wide. But Guaita had to make a good save five minutes before the break to palm away a right-foot shot from James Morrison after a clever pass from Wes Hoolahan.

Palace star Townsend might have got a second two minutes before the break but Hegazi headed his chip off the line. After the restart, Schlupp was denied again by Myhill after being teed up by Alexander Sorloth.

While Max Meyer had a shot scrambled clear for Palace. Baggies defender Sam Field made a series of brave blocks as he put his body on the line.

But there was no stopping Van Aanholt, who made it 2-0 with a fine right-foot finish from the top of the box 14 minutes from time. Then Townsend scored his second of the night with another fine finish, jinking into the box to score with a right-foot shot into the far corner in the 81st minute.

Defeat leaves Albion to concentrate on promotion and they are expected to strengthen their squad by snapping up free-agent Bakary Sako.

VICTORY IN THE BAG Andros Townsend (centre) celebrates after his early goal put Palace on their way