Crystal Palace relieved the pressure on Roy Hodgson after ending their eight-match winless run with Michael Olise inspiring a victory that only heightened Brentford’s own troubles. A record-equalling fifth successive Premier League defeat left Thomas Frank yearning for Ivan Toney’s imminent return with his club floundering.
Hodgson’s hopes of signing off the year with a victory initially looked unlikely, after Keane Lewis-Potter scored Brentford’s first within the opening two minutes. But Palace rallied and first-half goals from Olise and Eberechi Eze turned the match around.
The outstanding Olise struck again in the second half for his third goal in four days. Palace’s second home league win of the season gives them some comfort in mid-table but for Brentford – four points clear of safety – the relegation threat is lurking menacingly.
A first league victory here since the start of September was a welcome tonic for Hodgson, with speculation surrounding his future increasing in recent games. But his team, often accused of being too conservative, controlled much of this match and in Olise had the standout performer.
Palace selected the same team that was beaten at Chelsea on Wednesday, with Odsonne Edouard fit to return to the bench after missing the past three matches with a knee injury. Brentford made two changes from the team thrashed the same day at home by Wolves, with Zanka and Mathias Jensen recalled in place of Yehor Yarmoliuk and Neal Maupay.
Less than 90 seconds into the contest Brentford struck the opening blow. Jensen’s audacious backheel teed up Mads Roerslev to send in a low cross and Lewis-Potter slid the ball into the net from close range. A lengthy VAR delay for a possible offside ultimately failed to reprieve Palace.
Brentford could not hold on to the lead for a significant amount of time though, with Palace equalising swiftly. Jordan Ayew delivered a cross to the far post and Olise volleyed the ball past Mark Flekken from close range.
Buoyed by their goal, Palace continued to push forward and Jefferson Lerma’s fierce strike from the edge of the penalty area was straight at Flekken. Olise was Palace’s greatest threat with the winger’s pace and energy continually troubling the Brentford defence.
Nathan Collins, responsible for two of Wolves’ goals in Brentford’s last match, was hoping to make a positive contribution but the defender’s header tumbled wide of Dean Henderson’s post.
Palace’s strong recovery continued by taking the lead before half-time. Neat interplay between Chris Richards and Tyrick Mitchell set up Eze and he drilled a low strike into the corner of the net for his third goal of the season.
Brentford almost conceded a comical third goal with Ethan Pinnock blasting a backpass that left Flekken diving desperately to divert the ball behind for a corner.
Brentford needed a fast start to the second half but Christian Norgaard’s shot was straight at Henderson. Olise’s directness remained a major problem Brentford could not handle and he stung Flekken’s fingers with a fierce drive. Less than a minute later, Olise charged towards goal and wriggled his way into the area before firing a low shot into the net to extend Palace’s lead.
Olise led another attack from the right that left Brentford toiling but his strike lacked accuracy and flew wide of the target. The confident winger knew he had the beating of his opponents, playing with a swagger as he tormented Brentford at will.
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Palace, playing with the handbrake off after scoring more than two goals in a league game for only the second time this season, were close to adding another through Eze but his powerful strike was parried by Flekken.
Brentford’s attacks were scarce but the substitute Maupay rattled the crossbar from distance. Yoane Wissa also fired over from close range before Henderson saved from a cross deflected off Maupay .
Toney’s return from his suspension for Brentford’s next league match, at home to Nottingham Forest, cannot come soon enough but a team that have conceded seven goals in their last two defeats will also need to tighten up if they are to halt their slump.
