Roy Hodgson delights over ‘perfect’ Eberechi Eze free-kick

BY SAM SMITH

Roy Hodgson has described Eberechi Eze’s free-kick in Crystal Palace’s 4-1 victory over Leeds United as “perfect”.

The 22-year-old struck a superb set-piece to score his first goal for the club, whipping his strike over the Leeds wall and in via the underside of the crossbar. It came after Scott Dann had opened the scoring from the summer signing’s corner.

Eze has often had to be patient for chances this season – this was just his third league start.

But Hodgson has been delighted with the former Queens Park Rangers midfielder.

“That was one of the most perfect free-kicks you can execute,” Hodgson said. “He has looked at home ever since he’s arrived.

“We’ve known there’s someone there we’ve bought who will stand the club in good stead for years, but he’s had to be patient.

“Apart from the free-kick, his whole performance was very good. I don’t think you could fault him in any way.

“I don’t think you could fault his defensive work – certainly couldn’t fault anything he did on the ball, and of course the goal for me was the icing on the cake.”

Former Palace loanee Patrick Bamford grabbed a goal back for Leeds before a bizarre Helder Costa own goal gifted Palace their two-goal advantage before half-time.

Jordan Ayew struck a fourth in the second half.

Hodgson continued: “That’s a good victory because we are playing a team that started the season so well and have got a style of play that is a bit different to the style of play that we are normally used to seeing in the Premier League.

“Not only did we deal well with it defensively, but in terms of our attacking play we were a constant threat.”