Eberechi Eze sinks Bournemouth to continue Crystal Palace’s revival

Eberechi Eze’s brace spoiled Bournemouth’s ambitions of guaranteeing Premier League safety as the midfielder inspired Crystal Palace to a 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park.

Gary O’Neil’s men needed just one point to make certain of another season in the top flight and looked bright to start with, but fell behind when Eze fired his side ahead late in the first half.

Eze added a second for Crystal Palace after the break to wrap up the points with the only negative for Roy Hodgson’s men was seeing Wilfried Zaha forced off through injury.

Neither side was able to create any clear-cut chances inside the first 10 minutes though Bournemouth frequently tested the fortitude of centre-back pairing Marc Guéhi and Joachim Andersen.

Michael Olise curled an effort wide of the far post from the edge of the area before his side were able to stave off a sustained wave of pressure from the opposition as the period ticked past the halfway point.

Joel Ward evaded two black shirts in the corner to set up Olise for a second attempt, coming closer with a cross to force Neto into a leaping grab.

Olise entered the afternoon with nine assists and nearly added another when he sent a cross to Zaha at the far post, who misdirected his effort from three yards out.

VAR was called in for the first time following an altercation between Andersen and Jefferson Lerma inside the Bournemouth area for a potential red card on the Palace defender, but the hosts remained at full strength after the review.

Palace made the breakthrough when Zaha battled his way past his marker at the edge of the area before cutting back to Jordan Ayew. He took a quick backwards touch to direct the ball to Eze, who gave Neto no chance as he fired home from centre after 39 minutes.

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