- Crystal Palace hosted Wolverhsmpton Wanderers at Selhusrt Park in the Premier League
- The midweek fixture was a must win for Wolves who are yet to employ a manager after sacking Bruno Lage
- Zaha was back on the scoring sheet for Palace as they came from a goal down to defeat Wolves
Crystal Palace played on a staggering performance to secure a 2-1 win against Wolves in the Premier League on Tuesday, notably coming back from one goal down.
Fans at Selhurst Park were treated to a thrilling affair in the first half which could’ve seen a number of goals scored. But for all of Palace’s efforts, Wolves had an answer on the counter and managed to pull ahead after half an hour in London.
Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves almost doubled their lead in the last kick of the first half hitting the woodwork from a freekick and was punished for not doing so just minutes into the second half, when Patrick Vieira’s side levelled things up.
The hosts dominated proceedings from there, with the front three linking up seamlessly to give Palace the lead for the first time with 20 minutes to play, seeing off a late surge from Wolves to hold on for their third victory this season.
The play were end to end from the first whistle at Selhurst Park. Cheick Doucoure hit the post with an effort from distance after just three minutes, before Wolves went down the other end and were whiskers away from pulling ahead through Diego Costa moments later.
After a quiet period with possession regularly changing hands, Wolves put together a fine quick move from back to front after half an hour, with Ruben Neves’ fabulous switch of play unleashing Hugo Bueno to whip in an inch perfect cross on his full debut, which was headed in by Adama Traore for the opening goal.
Wolves players celebrate after Adama Traore scored the opening goal against Crystal Palace in the Premier League clash. | PHOTO: Courtesy |
Head injuries to Wolves players Matheus Nunes and later Daniel Podence derailed an otherwise impressive performance from the visitors, but they recovered well and were a Neves free-kick against the post away from taking a 2-0 lead into half-time.
They were made to rue that missed opportunity when Eberechi Eze capitalized on a sleeping defence almost immediately after the break, sneaking in at the back post to head in a cross from Michael Olise; his second goal of the season.
Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze celebrates after scoring the equaliser against Wolves in the Premier League fixture. | PHOTO: Courtesy |
Palace perked up after drawing level, continuing the work they put in after falling behind in the first half and dominating possession against Steve Davis’ well-drilled Wolves outfit.
Wilfried Zaha did some stunning work to get his side up the field after 68 minutes, skilfully weaving through Wolves’ plentiful challenges to set up a slick team move. The Ivory Coast international then received the ball again in the left half-space, switching play to Michael Olise, whose cross was met by a bicycle kick from Odsonne Edouard that whiskered marginally wide.
The Eagles continued attacking, and launched another fine passage of play from the back just minutes later. Edouard this time picked up the ball in the left channel, before patiently squaring to Zaha who rifled it past Jose Sa to give his side a deserved lead.
Wolves pushed Palace towards a proper climax, with Neves forcing a fine save out of Vicente Guiata in the 87th minute from the edge of the box, and Nathan Collins somehow firing an – eventually – offside square ball wide from close range.
Vieira’s side were able to hold that nerve, though, returning to winning ways and condemning Wolves to a fourth defeat in five games in the process.
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