The exciting duo of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise stole the show as Crystal Palace defeated Bournemouth 2-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
The two youngsters look reborn under Roy Hodgson with a series of impressive performances in their last few games, helping the Eagles pick up ten points in their last four home matches (3 wins and 1 draw).
Dominant throughout.
Three points.
Special atmosphere.Enjoy the rest of your weekend ???? #CPFC | #CRYBOU pic.twitter.com/ESqyxBXYkV
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 13, 2023
Eze opened the Eagles’ goal account in the 39th minute following fine work by Wilfried Zaha and Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew. Zaha beat two defenders before sending in a low cross into the box; Ayew flicks it to Eze, who slots it past Bournemouth’s goalkeeper Neto.
Olise almost doubled Palace’s lead in the 53rd minute, but his left-footed curler was way over the target. However, he would soon turn provider for Eze, who got his second of the game two minutes before the hour mark.
Olise collected the ball on the right side before sending a well-timed pass to Eze on the left. The former Queens Park Rangers man easily beat his marker before sending in a beautiful curler into the top corner.
The assist was Olise’s tenth this campaign as he became the first player to record such numbers in a single Premier League season for Crystal Palace. The 21-year-old has two league goals, while Eze’s brace upped his tally to 10 in the league with three assists to his name.
10 – Michael Olise has become the first player to record 10 assists in a single Premier League season for Crystal Palace, surpassing Wayne Routledge in 2004-05 and Wilfried Zaha in 2016-17 (both 9). Drift. pic.twitter.com/g8e33urQ95
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 13, 2023
The pair have been nothing short of sensational for Palace, as they both have a combined six goals and five assists in eight games under new boss Roy Hodgson.
Palace are not threatened by relegation fears, as they sit in 12th place in the Premier League standings with 43 points and two more games remaining in the season.