Meyer stars in ruthless Crystal Palace route over Bristol City
Max Meyer was the standout performer as Crystal Palace comprehensively beat Bristol City 5-0.
It has been a summer of few positives for Roy Hodgson’s side but this was an excellent performance in their first victory back on home soil since the Uhrencup in Switzerland earlier this month.
The Eagles started far better than they had done in their last pre-season fixture against Nottingham Forest. Luka Milivojevic had a shot whistle over the crossbar before Jeffrey Schlupp raced on to a Christian Benteke flick but his effort was denied by Dan Bentley.
And a quickfire double had the south Londoners in a comfortable lead after 15 minutes.
First, Meyer played in Patrick van Aanholt down the left, the Dutchman’s shot was blocked but Andros Townsend was on hand to bundle home. Then almost straight from kick off, the dangerous Schlupp was put through on goal by Meyer and his shot deflected up and into the Bristol City net.
The hosts scarcely troubled Vicente Guaita in the first period. James McArthur blocked a driven Marlon Pack shot that would have tested the Spaniard, before an excellent Bentley save denied Palace a third through Meyer.
But Palace finally did get their third within the first 10 minutes of the second half. Benteke, who had been very good throughout the game, met a deep Milivojevic cross to glance a header into the corner.
Famara Diedhiou epitomised the Championship outfit’s lack of ruthlessness, first somehow blazing over from inside the six yard box before a tame effort was easily gathered by Guaita.
And Meyer was involved in two more goals in quick succession as Palace took their tally to five. The German, possibly the star of the Eagles’ friendlies this summer, dinked an effort over Bentley to get on the scoresheet, before he passed to Townsend who fed Connor Wickham to round off the scoring.