Crystal Palace come from behind to beat Southampton
Crystal Palace 2 - 1 Southampton
Eberechi Eze delivered the decisive blow as Crystal Palace overturned an early deficit to beat Southampton, moving six points clear of the relegation zone.
The Saints struck first in the 14th minute when Kyle Walker-Peters outpaced Daniel Munoz to whip in a cross, which Adam Armstrong flicked on for Tyler Dibling to slot home from close range.
Palace, however, hit back 16 minutes later as Trevoh Chalobah rose to nod in a Will Hughes corner. Southampton players protested, claiming Jean-Philippe Mateta had fouled goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale as the ball came in, but VAR confirmed the goal.
Eze then produced a moment of magic early in the second half, rifling Munoz’s deflected cross into the bottom corner to secure all three points for the Eagles.
Munoz had missed a golden chance earlier, failing to convert Tyrick Mitchell’s inviting cross when the game was level in the first half, his effort rebounding off Walker-Peters with the goal at his mercy.
Ismaila Sarr also went close in the opening period, latching onto Mateta’s flick before Ramsdale denied him, and Jefferson Lerma saw his acrobatic volley saved from the resulting corner.
After levelling the score, Palace seized control and made their dominance count shortly after the restart through Eze’s clinical finish.
The victory lifts Palace to 15th place, six points clear of Leicester City in 18th, and extends their strong run of just one defeat in their last eight Premier League outings.
Palace turning a corner
Amazing atmosphere at Selhurst Park for Crystal Palace v Southampton. eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com
— European Super Football (@superfootball.bsky.social) 30 December 2024 at 12:14
[image or embed]
Crystal Palace’s form is steadily improving as they climb the Premier League table following a challenging start to the season.
Manager Oliver Glasner has repeatedly pointed to late summer signings and the absence of key players during pre-season due to international commitments as reasons for the team’s sluggish start. But with a settled side and key players now fully fit, the Eagles are finding their rhythm.
Heading into the clash with Southampton, Palace had suffered just one defeat in seven league matches (W2, D4).
The team has had to adapt following Michael Olise’s summer move to Bayern Munich, with much of the creative burden falling on Eze. The England international, who helped the Three Lions reach the Euro 2024 final, has struggled for consistency in recent weeks. However, his match-winning goal against Southampton could mark the beginning of a return to form.
Eze’s strike was his first league goal since 1 September, when he netted in a draw at Chelsea. Coincidentally, Palace face Chelsea next, aiming to maintain their upward momentum and push for a top-half finish this season.
