BY ALEX PEWTER
The long wait for an Eberechi Eze goal is over after the Crystal Palace attacking midfielder scored the winner against Southampton on Sunday in a 2-1 win.
His half-volley in the 52nd minute, from the edge of the area, ended a Premier League goalscoring drought that has lasted since September 1, when he netted against Chelsea.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner was pleased with Eze’s contribution in the Saints fixture.
“Maybe it’s the circle of football,” said the Austrian boss. “It started with the disallowed goal against Brentford after 10 minutes, in the first game of the season. Now it’s the last game of 2024 and he’s scored this goal.
“He was really suffering, but then after this he had a special moment. He’s had many big chances. Some great saves from the keeper, hitting the post or missing by one inch. Then all of a sudden it was in his head and I could see he was suffering, so I’m really pleased for him that he scored the game winner today.
“He always kept going. He had an injury, then he’s had to play with a swollen foot after an impact at Brighton, so we are really pleased for him – and of course for us.”
This was Eze’s 28th top-flight goal for the club, joining the likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ian Wright on that figure.
“This will help him, definitely,” said Glasner. “I’ve mentioned it so often – that you can train the strikers, you can talk to them. You can hug them, you can kick them. The only thing that helps is that they need a goal. That’s what they are looking for and he got it.
“In the first half he had three or four situations, with his dribbling. He had one finish straight at Ramsdale and two free-kicks, one was unlucky.
“It’s very important for us, because we need Ebs in our attack. We need the goals from him and this is what we need [as a team].”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD