Crystal Palace 1 Wolves 0 – thumping Eze strike earns Eagles win at Selhurst Park

BY SAM SMITH

Eberechi Eze’s thumping second-half strike earned Crystal Palace a first win in five matches as they defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers at Selhurst Park.

The midfielder thrashed home on the hour after a tight opening to the proceedings – although it should have been more when Wilfried Zaha struck the bar midway through the second half.

Palace lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, as opposed to the 4-4-2 that has been deployed by Roy Hodgson for most of the campaign.

Zaha and Jordan Ayew played wide with Eze supporting Michy Batshuayi through the middle. The shape gave the Eagles better balance but they still struggled to break down a resolute Wolves side in the first half.

Nathaniel Clyne was one of three changes to the back four from the defeat to West Ham on Tuesday. The right-back went close with a dipping effort from outside the area. Zaha also struck wide from distance.

Palace’s best chance if the half fell to Batshuayi  – who pounced on a loose ball but somehow volleyed over from eight yards.

Vicente Guaita made an excellent save to tip over Willian Jose’s early second-half volley.

And it was the South Londoners who led through a fantastic Eze strike on 60 minutes. Jordan Ayew passed across the 18-yard box, Eze rolled past his marker and unleashed a powerful drive past Rui Patricio.

Eze’s goals have always come in Palace wins – he also netted in the 4-1 success against Leeds United and the 2-0 victory over Sheffield United.

Zaha should have added a second as Palace raced away on the counter-attack, but instead smashed a shot against the crossbar after cutting inside Conor Coady.

Hodgson’s side travel to Newcastle United on Tuesday.