Eberechi Eze fires Palace to win over relegation-haunted Southampton
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Eberechi Eze’s second-half strike fired Crystal Palace to a 2-1 comeback victory over rock-bottom Southampton at Selhurst Park. Tyler Dibling’s 14th-minute opener was Saints’ first goal in five league contests, and their first under new boss Ivan Juric, who took charge for the first time in their Boxing Day loss to West Ham.
But Trevoh Chalobah nodded in a 31st-minute equaliser before Eze wrapped up all three points seven minutes after the restart. Saints remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, while it was a fourth victory of the season for once-struggling Palace, who moved six points clear of Leicester in the relegation zone.
Dean Henderson punched away an early corner and there was an audacious attempt from Ismaila Sarr, who launched an effort from inside his own half after he spotted Aaron Ramsdale off his line. Jean-Philippe Mateta then stole the ball away and squared it to Eze, who directed his effort straight at the Saints keeper.
That began a sustained spell of possession for the hosts, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 14th minute. It followed some good work by Kyle Walker-Peters, who skipped past Daniel Munoz, cut inside and found Adam Armstrong, whose light touch teed up Dibling for the opener.
James Bree tried to make it two when he brought down the ball with his chest and attempted to volley home, while Jefferson Lerma came closest to an equaliser with Palace’s next spell in possession, forcing Ramsdale into a spilled save. Chelsea loanee Chalobah nodded the sides level from Will Hughes corner in the 31st minute, the goal standing after a VAR check despite Ramsdale’s protests that he had been impeded by Mateta.
