Premier League: Crystal Palace grab third straight win to compound Southampton misery, Fulham and Wolves triumph

Crystal Palace’s revival under Roy Hodgson continued with a 2-0 win over rock-bottom Southampton, while Everton suffered a damaging defeat to Fulham and Wolves took a step towards safety by beating Brentford. Hodgson made a shock return as Palace manager last month and has led the Eagles to three consecutive wins to steer them nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Ad Saints were in desperate need of points after a five-match winless run left them cut adrift at the bottom of the table. Premier LeaguePalace crush Leeds to boost their hopes of safety09/04/2023 AT 12:23 They couldn’t find a breakthrough in the first half despite a bright start, Palace coming closest when Michael Olise found the net, only for his strike to be ruled out for offside.

The visitors then struck with their first shot on target when Jordan Ayew’s effort was parried into the path of Eberechi Eze for a simple finish on the rebound. Eze then grabbed his second in the 69th minute in spectacular style, spinning past his marker and smashing a shot into the bottom corner, and Palace almost made it three late on when Olise struck the post from a free-kick.

Saints remain bottom after a sixth game without victory, but Everton’s 3-1 defeat to Fulham ensured that the gap to safety remains four points with seven rounds remaining. The Cottagers travelled to Goodison Park on the back of four straight league defeats, but took charge of the game midway through the first half when Harry Wilson’s shot struck the post and Harrison Reed converted the rebound.