Crystal Palace 3-2 Sheffield: Brilliant, boundless talent from Eze & Olise

You wonder if there would be such conjecture about Roy Hodgson’s position if Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise’s seasons weren’t so damaged by injury.

What brilliance. Boundless talent, the pair of them.

And here at Selhurst Park last night they dug their manager out of an almighty hole as Crystal Palace notched a win that should, for the time being, keep Hodgson safe.

The clash against Sheffield United was only the fourth time this season Eze and Olise have started a Premier League game together.

If only they’d been available more often. Palace wouldn’t be in the predicament they’re in if that was case.

‘If you take the best players out of any team (then there will be consequences),’ said Hodgson.

So, with in mind, the sight of both Eze and Olise limping off during the latter stages of last night’s clash will fill Palace and Hodgson with the ultimate dread.

‘Eze concerns me slightly more than Michael Olise. Both of them were pretty upbeat after the game,’ explained Hodgson.

For now, Hodgson will be grateful that his irresistible twosome were healthy enough to lead Palace’s attacking assault in what was a significant three points against the Blades, whose relegation fears are compounding.

The opening 45 minutes was frantic, Ben Brereton Diaz firing the Blades ahead after 20 seconds to notch his second goal in as many top-flight games.

The move was sweet, Ollie McBurnie’s flick into Gustavo Hamer’s path was on point, the resultant switch out to Brereton just as effective.

The finish, when it arrived, was unerring - Diaz shifting inside Chris Richards before arrowing a finish beyond Dean Henderson’s reach.

The in-house cameras panned to a stoney-faced Palace chairman Steve Parish. A penny for his thoughts at that moment?

His mood