Five things we loved from Palace’s win over West Ham

First-team

22 Apr 2024

In the space of just over seven days, Crystal Palace put in two wholly contrasting – but equally impressive – performances against UEFA Europa League quarter-finalists.

If the 1-0 win at Premier League title-chasing Liverpool was impressive for the resilience, tenacity and spirit on display, Sunday’s 5-2 win over West Ham was equally so – throwing in some sheer flair to add to the Eagles' dominance of the game.

It was a performance for Palace fans to savour – including these five aspects…

The goals

We could easily end our list here – each of the five goals was delightful in its own right.

The superb build-up play for the first – zippy, quick, packed full of flair and capped by a rare Michael Olise header, his first for the club.

The athleticism and audacity from Ebere Eze for the second.

The cute cross which forced Palace’s third, and the wonderful build-up play leading to Palace’s fourth – and that was all inside 31 minutes.

Throw in Eze’s nutmegged assist for the fifth – capped by Jean-Philippe Mateta’s new ‘second celebration’ when he slammed the ball home – and it really was quite the attacking display from the Eagles.

Records broken

Correct us if we're wrong... but according to our records, Sunday marked the first time Crystal Palace had scored four times inside a Premier League first-half – and certainly the first time we'd hit five Premier League goals against West Ham.

Indeed, it was the first occasion we’d scored five against the Hammers in a league or cup game since December 1911.

Perhaps it was to be expected, though – there had never been a goalless Premier League game between Palace and West Ham (13 previous encounters), with only Fulham against Manchester City (15 between 2004 and 2011) having had a longer such run in the competition's history.

Thankfully, that run continued – and in some style.

This picture

‘Hang it in the Louvre’, indeed.

Our attacking trio

At the heart of the attacking display were Eze, Olise and Mateta – all at the peak of their powers, with flicks, swerves and flair flowing throughout.

Indeed, when Olise, Eze and Mateta have all started a match in the Premier League this season, Crystal Palace have won four of those five games, averaging 2.4 points-per-game.

Mateta is now on six goals in his last eight matches, or seven in his last eleven; Eze has been involved in eight goals in his last ten Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace (six goals, two assists).

Olise, meanwhile, averages 1.09 goal involvements every 90 minutes in the Premier League this season – only Chelsea’s Cole Palmer boasts a better rate (1.25).

Magnifique.

A wonderful day in the Selhurst sunshine

There’s no denying it has a been a challenging season at times – but Sunday was, from start to finish, a delightful day in the spring-time Selhurst Park sunshine.

Not only did Oliver Glasner’s Eagles put in an outstanding performance, but so too did Laura Kaminski’s Palace Women’s team, winning 2-0 at Lewes to all-but-seal the Women’s Championship title; a point at home to Sunderland this Sunday will finish the job.

A real day of celebration for all in SE25.

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