Edouard nets twice as Crystal Palace defeat Wolves

Amos Murphy

Odsonne Edouard starred for Crystal Palace, as the striker netted twice in a 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers - a result that extends the Eagles’ imperious home record to four consecutive wins against the West Midlands outfit.

It’s a fixture that often yields three points for the home side, with Crystal Palace having got off to a flying start in the south London sunshine.

Dominating possession and toying with the Wolves backline, the best opportunity of the first half fell to the usually reliable Jordan Ayew, whose effort from 12-yards out was cleared off the line by Max Kilman.

Jefferson Lerma had pounced on a loose ball just outside the penalty area, before squaring to Ayew, who was unable to convert into the gaping goal.

Throughout the first period, it felt like a fixture that was waiting to explode into life and it didn’t take long after the restart for those inside Selhurst Park to be on their feet in celebration.

Having been on top throughout the opening 45 minutes, it was no surprise to see Crystal Palace net the opening goal, with Edouard poking home after Tyrick Mitchell’s whipped cross found the striker lurking inside the Wolves penalty area.

While the opener may not have come as a shock, the immediate response from Wolves certainly stunned those inside Selhurst Park.

Wolves had only scored twice this season heading into the clash, with both goalscorers having come from off the bench, with Gary O’Neil once again able to celebrate a tactical switch-up that led to an equaliser.

Pedro Neto’s teasing cross left the Crystal Palace defender at sixes and sevens, with super substitute Hwang Hee-chan on hand to head home a somewhat undeserved leveller.

However, it didn’t deter the Eagles from taking the game to Wolves on home territory, with Roy Hodgson’s side scoring twice in quick succession to secure the three points.

It started when Eberechi Eze combined smartly with Edouard inside the box, before the tricky attacker steered beyond José Sá in the Wolves goal.

All before Édouard himself doubled his tally for the afternoon with a tidy finish from 12 yards out to cap off a relatively comfortable and profitable outing against the relegation candidate.

There was time for Wolves to snatch a consolation back, with yet another header beating Sam Johnstone, this time from Matheus Cunha.

It was a moment of lapse concentration from the Crystal Palace defenders, but not one that would end up costing them the three points, as they saw out the game to secure a maiden home win of the campaign.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Odsonne Edouard (Crystal Palace)