Southampton 0 – 2 Crystal Palace. Eberechi Eze struck twice as Crystal Palace won their third consecutive game and left wasteful Southampton rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.
Eze was the catalyst for Palace as he scored from a rebound after Jordan Ayew’s strike was palmed into his path by home keeper Gavin Bazunu.
His second goal saw him turn away from his defender and arrow a precise finish into the bottom corner.
Southampton was lively in the first half, with Kamaldeen Sulemana heading over, but were unable to make their chances count.
Just like in their 5-1 win over Leeds last weekend, Crystal Palace were off the pace in the first half.
Cheick Doucoure fired over the bar after two minutes, but the away side did not have a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.
However, the Eagles held firm defensively and went on to produce a clinical display in the second half.
Eze has now scored seven Premier League goals this season, more than any other Crystal Palace player.
Palace remain 12th, and their fears of relegation are fading after another impressive performance on the road.
Southampton’s chances of beating the drop have been dealt a blow by a second consecutive home defeat.
The Saints were the better team in the first half, creating numerous openings while they were in the ascendancy. Sulemana headed over from close range, as well as having a tame effort following a clever one-two with Theo Walcott.
Joe Aribo, making his first Premier League start since New Year’s Eve, missed a glorious chance when he blasted over the bar despite being unmarked in the box.
The home crowd also saw Walcott shoot just over the bar as Southampton’s lack of clinical finishing was laid bare.
Even after falling behind, Ruben Selles’ side were left to rue missed opportunities.
Carlos Alcaraz was left frustrated after squandering two chances in two minutes. First, he was inches away when he shot from the edge of the box and it hit the inside of the post. Another chance came when Palace failed to deal with a cross and Alcaraz pounced, only to volley it over the bar from close range.
Southampton have now gone six games without victory, and have suffered 10 home defeats in the Premier League this season, equalling their most losses on home soil in a single campaign.
source – BBC
