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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dom Smith

Crystal Palace: Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze must win injury battles for Eagles to build momentum

The difference between Crystal Palace and Sheffield United here was simply Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze.

With Palace in desperate need of victory, their star double-act delivered to buy manager Roy Hodgson more time.

After the Blades had taken a shock lead inside 22 seconds, Eze scored twice, including a stunning second into the top corner, as he put in his first truly exceptional display since returning from an ankle problem last month.

Olise was back after missing three games with a hamstring strain and assisted Eze's double before scoring a superb winner that lifted Palace up to 14th.

Hodgson came into the game under pressure after one win in 12, but there is certainly credence to his repeated assertion that Palace would occupy a healthier League position had Eze and Olise been fit all season.

Last night was only the fourth time all term they started together. In those four games, Eze and Olise have eight goals and three assists between them. The difference they make to a team who otherwise struggle for goals is remarkable.

"The quality those two boys possess, you could see it lit up Palace," said Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder. "I'm not sure Dougie [Freedman] and Palace would accept £50m for [either]. We could have done with Olise having a few more days off. Those boys can destroy your game plan with individual brilliance."

And, sure enough, they did. But there was concern later in the game when both were forced off to give Palace injury scares.

Olise needed treatment a minute after his winner and was replaced on 69 minutes. Eze was also seen to by medical staff before being substituted eight minutes later. Both will be assessed before Saturday's trip to Brighton.

Eze told broadcasters last night that both substitutions were precautionary. If that is right then Palace can head to Brighton with renewed optimism.

More than that, a fit and firing Eze and Olise should see Palace quickly climb away from trouble at the bottom.

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