Eze does it for Palace as the struggling

CRYSTAL PALACE 2 Schlupp (4), Eze (45) SHEFFIELD UNITED 0

A wonder goal from Ebere Eze after Jeffrey Schlupp’s opener helped Crystal Palace return to winning ways and inflict more misery on Sheffield United with victory at Selhurst Park.

Roy Hodgson’s side had not tasted success since thrashing West Brom at the start of December, but two firsthalf goals coupled with a professional display helped them to triumph in their first match of the year.

Blades boss Chris Wilder watched his team struggle to create chances in the capital and their 15th Premier League defeat of the term adds to their relegation worries.

Luka Milivojevic was a notable inclusion in the Palace XI despite pictures emerging on social media of the captain appearing to break coronavirus rules by mixing with Fulham ace Aleksandar Mitrovic on New Year’s Eve.

Four minutes into proceedings at Selhurst Park and the Blades’ problems increased.

A quick break down the left from Wilfried Zaha saw the attacker able to find Christian Benteke and the striker played a perfectly-weighted through ball into the area for the opener. The onrushing Schlupp saw his effort take a deflection before it found the net via a post to take his account for the campaign to two.

It extended the Blades’ run without a clean sheet to 20 games, which was also the last time they clinched a top-flight victory – at home to Chelsea on July 11.

The visitors did manage to enter Palace’s penalty area in the 29th minute.

David Mcgoldrick was quickly crowded out, though, and the hosts looked the more likely with Benteke poking wide two minutes later after impressive play between Zaha and Schlupp.

The latter saw his afternoon end prematurely in the 40th minute when injury forced off the goalscorer and Eze was summoned in his place.