PALACE EZE ON THE EYE AS BOSS PRAISES STAR

EBERECHI EZE should be spending the month of May competing for more than just the mere renewal of his club’s top-flight status — but that day will come.

For now, the 22-year-old is why Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace will be spending an eighth straight season in the Premier League.

Christian Benteke’s second-minute opener had Palace heading for the points before Eze’s moment of brilliance.

To score the goal he did two minutes from time owed everything to his talent. He killed both the ball and the spirit of John Lundstram as he skipped by the Sheffield United midfielder on the touchline deep inside his own half.

From there, he glided at will as defenders ran scared and, after drifting into the penalty area, his shot was then deflected into the net via a sliding John Fleck.

‘We preach to him that we want to see that quality,’ said Hodgson.

‘Today, he was bold when he got the ball. He drove us forward.

‘He got his reward with a goal and assist and we got ours with the win.’