Eze and Olise: 5 things we learnt as Eagles stars shine in 5-goal thriller

Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze were unstoppable against Sheffield United. (Photo Credit: CPFC/X)

FOOTBALL Eze and Olise: 5 things we learnt as Eagles stars shine in 5-goal thriller

Eze and Olise: 5 things we learnt as Eagles stars shine in 5-goal thriller

Izuchukwu Akawor • 03:38 - 31.01.2024

Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise stole the show for Crystal Palace in a five-goal thriller against Sheffield United in the Premier League.

Anglo-Nigerian duo Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise were the architects as Crystal Palace came from a goal down to pull off a thrilling comeback win against Sheffield United. 

The Eagles defeated the Blades 3-2, with the dynamic magicians Eze and Olise responsible for the goals. Here are the five (5) key takeaways from the explosive encounter.

1. Eze and Olise: The dynamic duo

The two forwards, who are still eligible to play for Nigeria, stole the show at Selhurst Park.

Eze and Olise not only combined to salvage the game for Palace but also highlighted the potency of their impressive partnership on the field.

Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise celebrate against the Blades
Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise celebrate against the Blades. (Photo Credit: Eurofoot/X)

Man of the match, Eze, 25, helped himself to a brace, both goals were assisted by Olise, who sealed the win with a third goal in the 67th minute. 

2. Rollercoaster opening 27 minutes

The game between Crystal Palace and Sheffield United witnessed a whirlwind of goals, with four of the five goals scored within the opening 27 minutes of the encounter.

Sheffield United opened the scoring via Ben Diaz but it was not enough in the end.
Sheffield United opened the scoring via Ben Diaz but it was not enough in the end. (Photo Credit: Sheffield/X)

It turned out to set the tone for what became a Premier League classic, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

3. Eze’s Brilliance

The talented playmaker’s acrobatic leveller and his second goal proved not just his quality as a forward but individual brilliance as well.

Two-goal hero and man of the match, Eberechi Eze.
Two-goal hero and man of the match, Eberechi Eze. (Photo Credit: CPFC/X)

His ability to capitalise on Olise’s remarkable playmaking and vision was demonstrated by his composure and precision in the attacking third.

4. Olise’s Impact

The 22-year-old not only contributed with two crucial assists for Eze but also secured the victory with a sensational winner in the second half.

Michael Olise is the first Crystal Palace player to register three goal involvements in more than one Premier League game (one goal, two assists), having done so before when he assisted three goals in April 2023.

His overall performance underscored his importance to the Eagles while showcasing why the wide playmaker is highly regarded and sought after by clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea.

5. Injury Concerns for Palace

The only downside for Crystal Palace following the thrilling win at home is that it came with a huge and potentially damaging price.

Roy Hodgson is currently sweating on the fitness of Eze and Olise.
Roy Hodgson is currently sweating on the fitness of Eze and Olise.

In the second half of the game, after the comeback was completed, the Eagles lost both Eze and Olise to injuries.

Manager, Roy Hodgson, will certainly be sweating as he awaits updates on their conditions as their absence could pose serious challenges for the Eagles and their fight against relegation.

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Summary

In a pulsating clash, Palace’s victory propelled them to 14th with just 24 points in the PL standings while Sheffield United remain rooted at the bottom with 10 points.

This game was important for both sides, emphasising the significance of the contributions of Eze and Olise for the home side in the race for survival. 

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Tags:
Crystal Palace Sheffield United Eberechi Eze Michael Olise Premier League