Olise, Eze excellent as Crystal Palace thrash Leeds 5- 1

NIGERIA- eligible Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise were imperials as Crystal Palace produced a stunning fightback to sink relegation rivals, Leeds, 5- 1 at Elland Road, to climb six points clear of the Premier League’s bottom three.

Palace were outplayed in the first half, but went in level at the break after Marc Guehi cancelled out Patrick Bamford’s opener for Leeds against the run of play.

Olise was directing the midfield orchestra as Palace struck twice in three minutes early in the second period through Jordan Ayew and Eze and Leeds capitulated, with Odsonne Edouard and Ayew’s second completing a remarkable turnaround.

The Londoners in veteran boss, Roy Hodgson’s second game in charge since his return to the club, struck five league goals on the road for the first time since

December 2020.

It was an afternoon to forget for Leeds, who remain 16th, two points above the drop zone, and few saw a heavy defeat coming after they had made their habitual barnstorming start.

Luis Sinisterra flashed a low angled shot inches wide and Sam Johnstone was forced into early action in his first league start for the visitors. The Palace goalkeeper made a brilliant save to keep out Brenden Aaronson’s flicked effort and fisted away another shot from Sinisterra.

Leeds took a deserved 21stminute lead when Bamford deftly headed home his 50th goal for the club in all competitions from Aaronson’s corner.

The home side were given a let- off soon after when the unmarked Jeffrey Schlupp headed Eze’s corner against a post and Ayew’s follow- up effort was blocked.