Eberechi Eze’s exceptional performance led Crystal Palace to their third consecutive win and all but secured their place in the Premier League for another season, while increasing the pressure on Southampton who are currently at the bottom and without a win in their last six matches. Even manager Rubén Sellés must recognize that his team looks destined for relegation.
Southampton dominated the first half and kept Palace from having any shots on target, but their inability to score once again cost them dearly. Eze scored early in the second half, and later made a dazzling solo effort to secure the win for Palace. With Che Adams still out due to injury, Sellés opted to start Joe Aribo over £16m striker signing Paul Onuachu, but it didn’t improve their poor home form which has only earned them 10 points this season.
After their impressive 5-1 victory over Leeds, Palace was riding high with no issues. Hodgson was thrilled to have completed a top-flight double over Southampton for the first time since the 1980-81 campaign.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has expressed his desire to participate in Euro 2024 in Germany next year, when he will be 42 years old and potentially the oldest player to ever participate in the tournament. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku’s hat trick, his first goal for Belgium since 2021, gave new coach Domenico Tedesco the perfect start.
